By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Firsts: On Friday we hooked our first sailfish of the year in 33 feet of water. This is not common, but it does occur during the spring as bait schools migrate to shore, luring in rogue species such as this billfish. We also caught our first blackfin tuna of the season last week. It was near a wreck in 70 feet. Numerous flying fish were in the vicinity, which is often a sign of tuna.
Deeper water: Offshore in 100 feet and deeper we noticed a migration of large mangrove snapper. A lot of gag grouper have also been released at these locations. These occurrences are signs of spring migrations. We are still waiting for better red grouper fishing. It has been uneventful in depths of 80 to 90 feet.
Kings: Many believe kingfish migration has been lackluster. The hope is that a more pronounced migration is headed our way soon. Average catches have been coming in from 80 feet and shallower. We have been getting most of our kings in the spots where we catch our baitfish, between 30 and 60 feet.
Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach and can be reached at jawstoo@msn.com, jawstoo.com or (727) 439-2628.