Mackerel Bite Near Shore In Gulf

Fishing Report 04/17/2008 – Capt. Terry Frankford

Angler's aboard the Reelin & Chillin have been catching snook, redfish, and trout inshore. Baits used have been live shrimp, live white bait (spanish sardines), and gulp baits with natural, new penny, and white being the colors of choice.

Near shore between two hundred yards to two miles from the beach angler's have been catching spanish mackerel and king mackerel. Baits used have been live shrimp, and thread fin herring.

Here are a couple fish tails from recent trips aboard the Reelin & Chillin

On a morning trip out with the Berg's Jim, Tom, Colton, and Bob we had some good steady action. All angler's managed to catch a snook with Grandpa Jim's being the largest at twenty-six inches, not bad when using only eight pound test line. Young Colton caught and released a jack that was pushing five pounds also using an outfit spooled with eight pound test line.

Fishing just off the beaches of Siesta Key Sal, and Danny Avila, John Bielanske, and Ricky Kulinski all had some fantastic action with spanish mackerel and king mackerel. The mackerel were reaching up to twenty-five inches measured to the fork of the tail. Three king mackerel gave us a run for the fun with the first two breaking off before we could land them, however Sal landed the biggest one weighing in at fourteen pounds. Not a bad battle when using only fifteen pound test line. What was neat is Sal spent the whole trip helping his son catch mackerel and blue runners, at the very end he decided to give it a try and caught the biggest fish of the day - every good turn deserves another.

Captain's Tip
Spanish and king mackerel:
We started fishing for the spanish first off, then as things progressed we switched up to fishing kings. On the reel was fifteen pound test line, using a surgeons knot I tied a forty pound test line mono leader about eighteen inches long. A 2/0 long shanked hook was then tied to the leader, a live shrimp was used for bait. In-between getting fish off the hooks I was catching big thread fin herring using my Zabiki rig. I could see the big balls of bait on my depth finder so it was a no brainer. After getting a live well full of spanish for dinner the crew decided to target the kings. I re-rigged replacing the 2/0 hook with a "kingfish pro-rig" still using the same outfits with forty pound test leader. I hooked the thread fin through the nose with the front hook, the rear hook was placed just behind the anal fin. I would drift for both species, the wind was blowing just enough to keep the baits looking natural. Also, I kept an eye to the fish finder making note of bait under the boat. As I would drift off the bait I would use the tracking on my GPS to get back over the bait again. When fishing the spanish the anglers would hold the rods, however when fishing the kings I would have the rods in the holders. The reason is if a big king would hit while holding the rod it could easily rip the rod out of your hand and/or possibly injure and anglers wrist.

Tight Lines & Good Times,

Capt. Terry Frankford
Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.
941-228-7802
www.charterfishingsarasota.com
terry.frankford@verizon.net

Capt. Terry Frankford
941/228-7802
terry.frankford@verizon.net
www.charterfishingsarasota.com
www.naturetourflorida.com