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Jumbo Macks A Hit Offshore

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By FRANK SARGEANT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

TREASURE ISLAND Until about 10 a.m., you wouldn't have known there was a Spanish mackerel within 100 miles of captain Sam Maisano's big Donzi. We were catching plenty of bottom fish, to be sure, but the mackerel that had been everywhere a few weeks earlier seemed to have been washed away with the chilly rain of the night before.

But as the sun warmed the water, baitfish began to ripple the surface, and within minutes the first mackerel started ripping into the tiny minnows.

In a short time, there were mackerel leaping as far as you could see - and you can see a long way when you are 7 miles offshore on a clear day.

Maisano and son Joe, also a captain, quickly broke out what Joe calls the "five-second ballyhoo rig" - a single hook through the nose and a No. 6 stinger in the vent on No. 6 wire, headed with a small Kingbuster skirt - and we were trolling through the breaking fish.

It took all of 30 seconds to get the first bite.

Though many of the jumping fish were in the 15-inch range, the ones that grabbed the big ballyhoo baits were a lot bigger. At%4 pounds and up, and with the speed and power of young kingfish, they made exciting sport for the crew.

Aboard was captain Bill Miller, host of Bright House Networks' "Hooked on Fishing," and Bay area anglers Randy Jones and Dave Netzler, who had purchased the trip with Miller, myself and the Maisanos at a charity fundraiser.

"Basically, it's just a matter of getting out where the birds are working the bait at this time of year and then waiting for things to happen," Sam Maisano said. "We fish bottom fish until things break loose, then get on the Spanish and sometimes kings, maybe a few cobia. It's a nice mixed-bag day."

The anglers swim the ballyhoo at about%3 knots, a good bit slower than some anglers tow artificials or skipping baits, and on this trip the big mackerel couldn't resist.

We had numerous doubles and a couple of triples, every one from 4 to 6 pounds.

"The fish are going to be here as long as the bait is here," Sam said. "The cold weather a week ago pushed it south, but now it's back in our area again.

"We get Spanish and kings until Thanksgiving, maybe longer if it stays warm."

We also had a good day on grouper, mangrove snapper and cobia.

The Maisanos run out of John's Pass Marina at Treasure Island. For more information, call (727) 480-6408 or visit www.gofastfishing.com.

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