Holy Mackerel! Kingfish Smoking Lines Offshore

Snook action is reportedly heating up inshore, and offshore, mackerel — king and Spanish — are reportedly tearing baits up in 40-70 feet of water.

And with full moon tides just a week away (the first calendar day for the full moon is April 18), tides will only get faster and better for the ambush-feeding linesiders. Snook are scattered throughout the bays, not yet having headed to the passes before preparing for their summer spawn. Tides will get higher toward summer, meaning redfish will soon be a great target on high tides against the mangroves. Check your tide charts and hit the prime fishing times.

Capt. Larry McGuire of Show Me the Fish Charters said live baits as well as artificials are doing the trick on schools of kings to 35 pounds. "They are cutting through steel leaders, straightening hooks, busting up tackle and causing real chaos," he said.

McGuire said he started out bottom fishing for grouper and snapper and set a chum back off the back of the boat — a typical tactic for luring kings. He then just flat-lined large, live baits.

In state waters, where gag grouper is in season, there are reportedly some big red and gag grouper. Try hitting the marked artificial reefs on maps available at most tackle shops.

Inshore, Capt. Rick Grassett of the Snook Fin-Addict out of on Siesta Key reported a great snook bite.

"Fly anglers fishing the Intracoastal Waterway at night near Venice averaged more than 20 snook to 27 inches per trip," he said. "Action slowed a little on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay following recent rains and wind. "

Other catch-and-release action included trout and Spanish mackerel on Clouser flies, CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos.