A week of beautiful weather spoiled residents of the Tampa / St. Petersburg region this past week, and some fantastic bites spoiled visitors dropping a line at the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers. The king mackerel action turned up big time – with plenty of sightings, runs, and yet another massive smoker hitting the pavement at the North Pier. Spanish mackerel action was hot at times and slower at others, but many anglers putting in the time took a full limit home this past week. Jack crevalle showed anglers new to saltwater fishing why so many folks believe they are one of the toughest fish that inhabits any marine environment. Sheepshead action began to slow, but mangrove snapper, black sea bass, and spotted seatrout filled in the gaps quite nicely for bottom anglers. Action from small sharks (blacktips & bonnetheads) kept a good pace, and some monsters are starting to show up as tarpon begin their annual migration into the Tampa Bay Estuary. Finally, blue runners & ladyfish kept jiggers entertained while they pursued a few nice pompano that remained in the area.

The Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers continue to prove that some of the largest king mackerel taken in Florida each season can come from a land-based fishery. Indeed, the piers have recorded at least 6 fish over 40 lbs. in the past 6 months, and several of these fish were well in excess of 50 lbs. These are specimens that would likely secure the top check in most kingfish tournaments throughout the entire United States. Pier staffer & avid angler, James Tran, kept the run going this past week when he stuck his personal best king… The incredibly deep-bodied & beautifully-marked fish tipped the scales at 46 lbs.

Almost all avid kingfish anglers will insist that the biggest kings are vicious & solitary creatures. These nomadic rogues cruise & hunt the world’s oceans alone because they are no longer welcome in the school. A point that is rapidly becoming prominent among die-hard kingfish anglers is whether the presence of large structural elements nearby draws in the largest fish? Piers & shipwrecks throughout the southeast often attract these monsters, perhaps because they know a large meal is also nearby. Kingfish angling at the Skyway Piers ranges all the way from set-line anchor rods to simple free-lining of baits. Some school-sized fish are often taken by artificial lures like spoons & Gotcha plugs. Never let the set-line techniques intimidate you from trying this method. It is simply a technique to deploy one (or several) baits by using release clips (or clothespins) to position the offerings. The anchor rod does nothing except hold bottom & provide a strong line for release clips.

Spanish mackerel were still on a good bite this past week, but anglers fishing the best times & tides took full limits of fish, while others took only a few. Morning incoming tides that sometimes spilled into the afternoon hours were best, and first light arrival was often key to taking a limit of fish. In addition, some late morning / early afternoon flows that moved more water correspondingly moved more fish. White nylon jigs continued as the hottest lures going, but Gotcha plugs, spoons, and mackerel trees all took fish. Sardines, either used alive or as cut strip baits, continued to increase in effectiveness & production. Look for this trend to hold true (especially for pioneering nighttime mackerel anglers) as we approach the summer travel season.

Jack crevalle busted lines, rods, and knuckles as these pugnacious predators ravaged baitfish schools on the approach section of the South Pier. Late morning incoming tides that moved into early afternoon produced the most fish, and the entire gamut of baits – ranging from artificial to live – took fish. One method that did shine during periods of slower tidal flow was where anglers free-lined live sardines or pinfish underneath the pier itself by using the tide. It appeared that the jacks would stay in the shade of the structure during slower tides and wait for prey to come to them. Many anglers favor these large fish for shark or goliath grouper bait, but some folks eat even the largest jacks. Chefs “in the know” favor immediate bleeding, removal of the darkest flesh, and slowly simmering in flavorful sauces – using Jamaican-style or Indian/Curry-style rubs & spicing… With plenty of fresh vegetables and service over jasmine rice, the big jacks are said to make a very nice dish.

Paul Bristow
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