Captain’s Corner: Dave Zalewski

The Tampa Bay Times

Dave Zalewsli 460-9893

Before the tropical storm pushed through our area the fall fishing season was in full swing both offshore and near the beach. It was not necessary to expend a lot of time or fuel to have a great day fishing for Spanish mackerel and catch and release sharks within a mile of the shoreline near the entrance to any pass. We have been catching our boat limit of Spanish mackerel. The actual limit is 15 per person, but there is no need to harvest that many. The key to fishing for the sandbar, blacktip and spinner sharks along with a bull or even a hammerhead is to anchor and start chumming where the mackerel have been caught. 50 pound class conventional or heavy spinning tackle is all that is needed for the smaller fish that average 20 to 60 pounds and provide great sport on the lighter tackle. For bait we use chunks of
mackerel, pinfish, blue runners and anything caught on site by use of a sabiki while anchored. Bonita are usually released, but if we are going to target sharks and catch one, it goes into the fish box to be chunked up for both bait and chum. Terminal tackle is simple. A short length of wire leader or 150 pound monofilament is attached to a large circle hook.
Kingfish have been disappointing as far as numbers go, but the water temperature is still warm and we can expect a push of them coming from the north any day now.
Bottom fishing was very steady in the 60 foot depths before the storm and should return to normal shortly. Lane snapper season will close on November 15 until January 1 2023.