Gulf offshore bite is heating up with plenty of kings and blackfin moving in close. King mackerel can be found in Tampa Bay and all around nearshore reefs and schools of baitfish. The blackfin tuna are in as close as the nearshore ship anchorage where several cruise ships are anchored. The ships are a great place to start for kings and blackfin tuna but get there early to beat the crowd. Free lined live bait or trolling ballyhoo rigs is the best bet.

Fishing the bridges and Inshore reefs will still produce big sheapshead and mangrove snapper. Large shrimp and greenbacks are excellent bait even for big sheepshead.