Captain’s Corner: Dave Zalewski

The Tampa Bay Times

Dave Zalewski 460-9893

It is always the right time to introduce kids to fishing and right now is a great time to take them trolling. Spanish mackerel have finally shown up in force and can be found within a mile from the beach out to the mid water artificial reefs. This close proximity to shore allows the young angler to not have to experience a long boring boat ride. Light tackle along with #1 and 2 planers 30 feet of leader between the planer and small spoon will result in often non stop action from not only Spanish mackerel but also from bonita, blue runners and ladyfish. We have had the pleasure of having several family trips lately and have caught bonita on several of the artificial reefs. Seeing a youngster’s face when they feel the drag pulling power of a bonita will put a smile on everyone onboard. Bonita are not considered prime table fare in our area because of the blood content of the flesh on the larger ones and we carefully release them except for the smaller ones that are les than 15 inches. These small ones make surprisingly good eating when handeled properly. When we catch a smaller one, we cut through the gills and place them in a bucket of saltwater to reduce the blood level. Then it is imperative to ice them well until returning to port. Cleaning them is a multi -step process. First filet them as one would do with any fish. The filet will have 2 different colors. Place the filet knife where the two shades join and cut down to the skin and then turn the knife outwards to remove both the upper and lower loin. These loins can be pan seared like any piece of tuna, baked with blackening seasoning or fried. Clients are often leery of trying bonita because of negative reports on them, but when them come back one of the first things we hear are. Can we catch some of those small bonita? They were great