Three Kings in St. Joe, May 29

[TGL]

The Lake was calm to 1 Ft on Friday morning. We caught 3 Kings and 2 Lake Trout between 7AM and 11:30. The largest King was about 15 LBS shown attached. It was cloudy early then the sun came out and that is when we caught the Kings. I believe that the UV spoons really light up with clear skies.

The Kings were out of their normal comfort temperature range 35-45 Ft. down in 90 FOW. The temperature 35 Ft down, at the ball was 53°. We were fishing just north of St. Joe. The medium Stinger Blue Dolphin UV spoon attached and one other identical lure caught all the fish. One King came on a SWR / Rigger 35 Ft. down. The other two came on a planer board with 150 Ft. 45# copper + 2 color Lead core.

TGL

Steve

[gmfishon]

Awesome,thanks!

[Far Beyond Driven]

What temps do you like for kings?

[gmfishon]

What temps do you like for kings?

Kinda wondering the same thing. Was surprised at the 53 mention.the standard for years was right about this, then I think we figured out that's what the baitfish like. The kings like it a bit colder. I would run lines from 55 deg. Down to about 45 if I had no marks or other place to start.

[TGL]

I can reference Keating on Kings, page 26. Dan Keating's book says 42° to 48° is the Peak Temperature range. He goes on to say a secondary range is 49° to 54°. So I guess the Kings we found, were in that secondary range. In the area we fished, when I dropped the probe down to 50 Ft the temperature dropped to 48° in the same area, but we only got hits when we raised the rigger up to 35 Ft. The SWR (3 color leadcore) probably dropped the lure another 6 to 12 Ft depending on trolling speed.

Thanks

TGL

Steve

[Moby Dick]

Nice King! Haven't caught a decent King all year.

[sparky30]

Wen have caught them in 40deg. water, and 70deg. water, they are where they are. You never know, how muchdid that one weigh, isnt it on a boga? Loos around 12 13lbs? Either way good job, its tuff down there this year.

[Far Beyond Driven]

Thanks for the insight. Before I had a probe I caught fish where I never should have been fishing. But there were more fish back then...

[gmfishon]

Hey tgl just wonder if you think you would have had any hits before the sun came out if you were running standard glow or non glow spoons. I don't have any of the strictly UV, guess I will have to get some.

[TGL]

Really good question. I believe the Glow spoons are made for early morning after being charged with a flash. The Glow color of the ones I have are different than the new UV spoons. The UV color looks blue to me. I am pretty sure the UV light from bright sunlight gives them the luminesence similar to a black light.

Thanks,

TGL

Steve

[KICK'R]

Nice work!

[Nailer]

Thanks, and nice job Steve.