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. Then 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