Captain’s Corner: Dave Zalewski

The Tampa Bay Times

Dave Zalewski 460-9893

After a hit or miss early run of Spring kingfish, they finally have arrived in force. Just before the latest cold front came into our area with rain, high winds and rough seas, kingfish could be found from just off Anna Maria Island all the way up to Clearwater. Finding schools of migratory baitfish such as Spanish sardines, threadfin herring or scad is the key to finding almost non stop action from kingfish, Spanish mackerel and bonita which all feed on these baitfish. The markers along the Tampa shipping channel from 9 and 10 all the way west to the Whistler Buoy, which signifies the beginning of the channel, are great places to start. We like to begin at each set of markers trolling #1 and #2 planers which respectively run at 10 and 20 feet below the surface with 30 feet of 50 pound test monofilament leader between the planer and spoon to help us determine if any of the predators are present by trolling at 6 knots near the buoys and past them to where the water shallows. The markers denote the shipping lane, but the actual channel extends past the buoys. Once we have put a few fish in the box, we usually switch to sabikied bait caught on site and lighter spinning tackle with stinger rigs to provide more sport. These live baits are presented by either drifting with the motors out of gear or slow trolling by bumping the motors in and out of gear. As slow as you can go is the proper speed for live baiting.

Spanish mackerel can now be found along the beaches, especially near the passes that carry all different types of bait into the gulf on an outgoing tide. Trolling #1 planers wit a small 0 or #1 spoon is a way to locate the schools of mackerel.