Capt. Bart Marx
Hello fellow anglers, April 2021 can you believe it? Let’s talk about fishing out in the Gulf of Mexico. The waters have warmed up and the northern migration of bait and predators is in full mode. The end of the king mackerel migration should be close. There may be a few around, even some Spanish. This month the snappers should be on the nearshore natural reefs. Red grouper should start their migration to shallower waters. Also, the porgy bite should be good as well on the hard bottom. So, when you go out for these different bottom species bring an extra rod to setup for king mackerel. This is how it goes, while you are bottom fishing for the snapper and grouper if you anchor up, this is a great time to also fish for king mackerel. Somewhere find a place to put an extra rod so it is out of the way of your bottom fishing. T-tops have the side rod holders that are set up for this type of fishing. You stick one out on the side or even two, to target the kings. Some like to put it up high in the rocket launcher rod holders. You should have some wire; the kings have sharp teeth and a 3/0 or 4/0 hook and a bobber about 6’ from the hook. You want to keep it about ten yard behind the boat. So, as you are catching the bottom fish, they are purging their stomach to get rid of the hook and creating an underwater chum slick that will attract the kings. (Leave the drag a little on the loose side so the line doesn’t pull the hook out of the fish’s mouth or break the line.) Kings are worth the time; they are good table fare. I like to steak them and marinate the meat in teriyaki and throw it on the grill it, tastes like more!
There should be plenty of mangrove snapper, lane snapper and porgies that are all good eating in these same areas. There may even be a keeper size red grouper too. With the bait migrating there should be some sharks following close by too. If you target these guys, you really do need some wire to save your line from getting cut. Keep close attention to the shark regulations. I usually only harvest a blacktip less than 4’. I also do training trips for those that have moved to the area and need a jump start. This helps you learn where to take your boat and how to fish these areas as well as how to rig your rods for this area. This helps shorten your learning curve. Always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{ captbart@alphaomegacharters.com