Sprung Kingfish return to Tampa

Spring has sprung and both the nearshore and offshore waters of Tampa Bay are coming alive. Saturday's 6-hour fishing charter out of St.Pete Beach got a taste of what is looking to be a banner Spring Kingfish season. Tom Gagnier and his crew of Jerry, Al, Matt, Chandler and Derick had Spanish mackerel on their minds when they climbed on board the Jawbreaker, and I informed them that they were in luck, however, we were going after the Spaniard's bigger cousin...the almighty Kingfish! And as things turned out, they were in luck!

The wind was up and the seas were quite choppy when we rounded the corner of Pass-a-Grille, but the Jawbreaker weighs in at over 6 tons and eats a 3-4 foot chop like a rabbit eats a head of lettuce. Many boats stayed in close to the beach and I was receiving a few credible reports, early, of slow but steady action with the Spanish mackerel-and even a few big Kings in the mix. I figured if it was too rough offshore for these guys offshore, we had the option to fish the beach. Once anchored up in 50 feet of water and fish coming over the rail almost faster than Jon and I could move, we didn't even care that it was more like being in a washing machine than a boat. The fish were hungry! Good thing that we loaded up both livewells with about 400 pounds of Threadfin and Sardines on the way out...we were going to need it.

Although we were set up to bottom fish for Grouper and Snapper, the flat-line ruled the day. Oh, we caught tons of short Red Grouper, and a few grunts, on the bottom, but when the flat-line went off for the first time all we could think was Kingfish. After a breathtaking battle, Matt reeled a 15 pound Gag Grouper. Wow! The Gags were coming all the way up the water column, eating the free chummers we offered and hitting the flat-line, almost to the point of being a nuisance. Switching tactics and using a heavier, straight hook-to-line rig put over 10 Gag Grouper in the boat, all between the 12-15 pound range...all were released in good shape. Those endangered Gags are so rare that they have become a top-water species I guess, in 50 feet...go figure! Anyway...

Like a switch, the Gags stopped eating and the Kings took over. Instantly we were having double hook-ups and non-stop action of a different pace. The Kings were skyrocketing behind the boat and putting on a show to remember. A combination of big Sardines and Cigar minnows, coupled with hundreds of live chummers, kept the bite going and in short time we had our limit of Kingfish for 6 people. 12 Kings in the 12-20 pound range and years of action-filled memories to boot. Check out my new buddy Tom Gagnier with a hefty early season Springtime Kingfish...way to go Tom!

Expect this action to continue for a couple of months-with Barracudas, Bonitos and Jacks joining the party as the water warms up even more. Jawbreaker fishing charters is booking trips as fast as we can answer our phones. We have only 7 days left available for March and 10 days available for April...don't be left out, call today and book a fishing charter with confidence! Happy fishing folks! Capt.Dan