Offshore action is heating up for a boilover
Capt. Dave Pinkham
March 27, 2009
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
After such a windy March, I'm very hopeful and expectant that April will offer gulf anglers some slam-dunk fishing action. In my opinion this is the best time of year along Florida's west coast and the fishing should be nothing short of awesome over the next few weeks.
One of the most important points I'd like to make is that if you locate the bait fish then more than likely bigger fish are in the same area feeding on them. The exciting thing about fishing the gulf this time of year is the large variety of different species to go after.
Following is a list of some of the species of fish that anglers fishing the gulf during the month of April can expect to find.
- Kingfish and Spanish mackerel action will bust wide open this month. Live baits will usually out fish artificial baits this time of the year so it's always worth the effort to load up the bait well. Keeping your rigs as light as possible will help to account for more hits. You may consider using a light gauge single-strand piano wire for leader as these hard hitting fish have a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. Trolling silver spoons behind planning boards is a sure-fire way to locate moving fish.
- Grouper fishing is always a favorite for local anglers. Gag grouper season re-opened April 1st so if you are targeting gags try fishing around a wreck or some good broken bottom. There are plenty of two-foot ledges or breaks scattered all over the floor of the gulf so keep your bottom machine running. When you notice a change on you bottom graph indicating a possible rock crevice below give the new spot a try. When bottom fishing make sure to put out the extra effort and keep a couple of live frisky baits out free-lined on top, you never know when a mid-water fish such as a kingfish or blackfin tuna may be in the area. As the water continues to warm look for red grouper out in the 80 to 120-foot deep range. Drift fishing with lead head jigs bounced along the bottom tipped with squid is a great way to locate these bottom feeders. Keep your marker jug handy and when you get a grouper on throw the jug to mark the location. Now you can re-drift the same area again.
- Black fin tuna usually show up in April. Try combining your tuna fishing with your red grouper fishing as they are both found in the same depths. If your target is primarily tuna, concentrate your efforts around the deeper wrecks and springs. Live baits such Spanish sardines and spot tailed grunts make excellent baits. Trolling and or live bait fishing around anchored shrimp boats is another great place to hunt for tuna. The shrimpers often will toss by-catch into the water which often attracts the tuna to the area.
- Cobia fishing should also be good this month. These big brawlers are known to hang around bottom structure such as wrecks and the artificial reefs. When fishing these areas be sure to keep an eye out for the cobia as they will often swim up to the surface and curiously circle the boat. In closer to the beaches another method used to fish for cobia is sight fishing. On a clear sunny day cobia can be seen swimming at or near the surface. Casting a live bait out in front of a sunning cobia usually provokes a hit. The key when sight fishing is not to spook the fish with the boat.
April is a great time for fishing. Remember, if you're too busy to go fishing you're just too busy. Get out and go fishin cuz' it's good fer ya!
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