Spanish mackerel running large this week. Also along beach we found schools of bluefish, mostly 1 to 3 pounds, occasional 4 to 5 pounds. Fly and topwater lures did for these guys, too. Live bait scarce, except for blue runners, or goggle-eyes for sale by local bait vendors. Good kingfish action in 70 to 100 feet of water.
Dead bait works fine.
Under the kingfish, you'll often find mutton and yellowtail snapper, hanging out to snarf up bits of bait drifting down from the kingfish action above them. You'll also find bluegill in the Rim Canal. Specks are also reported by anglers drifting live minnows in 5 to 7 feet of water outside Taylor Creek. Live crickets are the favorite bait for the bluegill, but red wiggly worms will work too. Another guide led his charter angler to a 10- pound bass.