http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-King-mackerel-the-hot-topic-as-gulf-waters-warm_167462728
King mackerel is always the hot topic this time of year, with tournaments every weekend for two months. Some believe that massive schools in the gulf migrate from their fall haunts in south Florida and the Keys to the north, with the larger females (30 pounds and up) leading the way. Past trips in the early spring prove there is some truth to this, with consistent catches of larger fish well before the smaller schooling-size fish arrive. Others believe there are many different schools, and some migrate east and end up in the bait-rich shallows near the coast. There are many catches in offshore waters during the summer that support this theory. No matter what one believes, some consistent factors have to be present. One is temperature. Kings usually start showing up when the water reaches 68-70 degrees and will be here in big numbers when it reaches the mid 70s. The second is bait. If it is scarce, chances are, so are the kingfish. On the beach, look for large schools of threadfin herring on the surface or schools of Spanish mackerel feeding on smaller fry baits. Offshore, schools of sardines and cigar minnows will in most cases have a few kings looking for an easy meal. Lighter wire and smaller tackle will sometimes help trick smarter kings into eating.
Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
