What's hot: Reports of kingfish in the shipping channel are a sign that the king run is starting to happen. Most kings can be found close to markers that have bait schools visible on the surface. You can use a small spoon on a No. 1 planer or rig one to a flat line to get into the action. Your best bet is to catch the baits hanging around the markers and slow troll them in the same area. When you find a marker that's holding kingfish, anchor near the marker and free-line a few baits into the bait schools.
Tackle: Use 20-pound test on the trolling rigs and lighter tackle on the live baits. Have a short piece of wire in front of your main hook to minimize the cutoffs. Keep your drags light and let the kings tire out on the long runs. This makes it easier to land them when they get close to the boat.
Tips: Watch the other boats to see which ones are fighting fish. This lets you know which side of the marker is holding fish. When clear of other boats, work over to that area to get into the action. Birds hanging close to the water and fish striking the surface are signs that kings might be working that area.
Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.
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