Along with the trout the Redfish have been hot!  To catch one, be sure to fish in and around the oyster bars during high tide. Be sure to throw a Johnson gold spoon in the 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce range.  Also working well for the Redfish is large live shrimp.

Cobia are being landed almost daily.  Look for Cobia to hide near structures such as channel markers and pilings.  Expect them to approach the boat as well.  If you see this fish, try casting a live pinfish in his direction.  Some folks use a large bobber to keep the bait near the surface. You may also use a balloon.  Cobia are finicky eaters so if the live bait does not work try throwing everything in your tackle box at them. You may be pleasantly surprised.  If you are trout fishing, rig a larger pole with a free-floating pinfish (or with a float) and stick it in a rod holder just in case a stray fish happens by while you drift.  The Cobia must be 33' in length to keep. Measure from the nose to the fork.  They are also excellent to eat!

On the reef they a killing the Spanish Mackerel.  For artificial try using Floreo Lures, Johnson Silver Spoons, or tinsel Spanish mackerel rigs.  Troll the just beyond the white water of your wake.  You can also anchor up, put out a chum bag and fish with live shrimp.  This will also attract Pampano, Jacks, Bluefish, Ladyfish, and many other fun striking fish. Sheepshead fishing has ended now that the water has warmed up. Look to start catching them again in the fall and winter.

Offshore the grouper fishing has been fantastic as long as the weather is cooperating.  Most anglers are bottom fishing in forty-five feet.  The fishing has been a serious hit or miss, with fishermen either bringing in their limits or nothing at all!  At least on the bad days you can load your boat with Black Seabass and Grunts . The top baits for Grouper are thread herring, Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, and squid.  Trolling the Stretch 30+ lures are still producing larger fish than bottom fishing.  The chrome with blue back and the pearl with black back are working best. Troll Stretch 30+ at 3 to 4 knots using a 25lb. or 30lb. test line (I recommend the 30lb.) any heavier and the line tends to pull the lures towards the surface.  The new Mylar Stretch 30+ are really selling in the pink and gold/black colors.  While trolling, many folks have been hooking up some really nice sized Kingfish.   Kingfish tend to hit the shiner color Stretch 30+ such as the black/chrome or the blue/chrome.  These two colors also come in the Mylar style now.
This Week's Steinhatchee Report 4/26/00 (all of April)