Captain’s Corner: Jay Mastry

The Tampa Bay Times

Who’s going to be crowned King this weekend?  Could be you!  Organizers of the Old Salt – King of the Beach kingfish tournament ensures it’s a level playing field.  Kingfish don’t care what kind of boat you’re in or how many motors you have on it.  During its 29 year history, it’s been won by some stretching the 30 mile boundary.  It’s been won several times within two miles of the beach.  In fact it’s been won more than a couple times in Tampa Bay , well inside the Skyway Bridge .  It’s always been a family oriented affair with a bunch of ways to win.  Along with the big money in the overall division, there are additional prizes and cash for ladies, juniors, and out of towners.  First place in the single engine division will get you a new motor valued at sixteen grand.  There’s even a Spanish mackerel division that pays many places.  Several local charities benefit from the event making it another worthy reason to join in.  High winds and small craft advisories last week reduced chances of doing much scouting offshore.  The easterly flow however, at least until now has spared the near shore gulf waters from muddying.  Some huge schools of bait have been drawn within a mile of the beach and you can bet it won’t take long for the mackerel and kings to find them.  An abundance of mid-size Spanish sardines which I’ve always considered “kingfish candy” have mixed in with the greenbacks and whitebait.  Though we’ve caught our bigger fish lately on blue runners, there’s been days’ when sardines are on the menu and that’s all the kings have wanted.

Captain Jay Mastry