If conditions remain through the coming weekend, anglers fishing the Miller Lite Suncoast Kingfish Classic out of Kingfish Warf in Treasure Island could be treated to a long day of fishing with short running times. Bait continues to be a problem for some. Sand Key hardbottom has some bait, but early morning cast netters are finding better quantities of bait around the passes and bridges. A hard-running outgoing tide this weekend should make for some fairly good bait catching conditions early in the morning. Good numbers of hardtails are available for jiggers and those with sabiki Rigs.
Blue runners continue to be the bait of choice for winning fish.
Ultra-lear water conditions are making finicky fish very wary. The use of fluorocarbon leaders ahead of stinger rigs by some anglers is increasing the chances for a bite. Some hot fishing has been coming from the depths lately as anglers fishing out around the shrimp boats are finding a few blackfin tuna. Amberjacks, grouper, Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper were caught on deep reefs and wrecks along the Suncoast in 60 to 100 feet. The full moon on Monday might just turn on the snapper bite.