[dropcap]B[/dropcap]ottom fishing is improving as water temperatures return to normal. We’ve been killing vermillion snapper and trigger fish on chicken rigs. The chicken rig is easy to make. Start with 5 feet of 30-pound test tied to a swivel with three evenly spaced loops tied on the rest of the leader. Put hooks on the top two loops and a five-ounce sinker on the bottom. Squid is the bait of choice. By the way, effective July 1, 2015, trigger fish must be 14-inches fork length. It’s been a pleasure to see some really big mangrove snappers back on the cleaning tables. The smaller ‘grovers’ we found last month in shallow water are still around, as well as mutton snappers. The big mangroves are in the deeper water, 80 to 100 foot. Try 40-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small circle hook and a small live bait for best results.
Amberjack are still prowling the 90 foot depths. On your way out, stop by one of the SISA reefs and catch some blue runners, which make prime baits for the AJ’s.
The kingfish bite is really good this month. Try the rocks a couple miles east of the buoy at Bethel Shoals. If the east winds are consistent, nice weed lines will stack up offshore allowing for great dolphin trolling.
Heads up for wahoo this month. Some big ones have been caught recently. Try a high speed black and purple trolling feather.