Cobia still scarce, but the kingfish are biting

Good kingfish action is continuing off Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

You do not have to venture far to get in on the action. Look for dense schools of bait off the beaches and fish in the vicinity. Kings to 38 inches and spanish to 28 inches have been common. Also, there has been some shark, tarpon, and bonito in the mix.

On the inside, Sarasota Bay has been giving up great spotted sea trout action, with specks up to 22 inches. Some hefty bluefish and ladyfish are also bending rods on the "Dee Jay II."

Still looking for some cobia to crash the party, but as of this writing they have been scarce in this area.

Young Aiden Hebert, 4, and his grandad from Ellenton went on his first bona fide fishing trip on a boat and nailed some dandy spanish, kings and trout. As it is with most kids his age, he was primarily interested in the critters in the bait well.

Catch and release snooking should be on the upswing due to a reduction in fishing pressure after the May 1 closure. Redfish hanging in the same areas should settle and become a lot less spooky with decreased traffic on the flats.

Good luck and good fishing. Be careful out there!

Capt. "Zach" Zacharias

(941) 795-5026

E-mail: zachap@aol.com

Docked on Palma Sola Bay at Parrot Cove Marina/Sunny Shores

115th Street West and 36th Avenue, Cortez, FL 34215