By MEL BERMAN

If you have been looking forward to trolling for some fall kings, this is definitely the weekend to get out your spoons and planers. The big macks have finally arrived in nearshore waters, so let the fishing fun begin. They are ganged up in all the traditional places, including off Sarasota, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, near Egmont Key and off the shipping channel. They also are running in the waters from the Don CeSar north through Clearwater Pass, Anclote Key and well up the coast.

The first king mackerel also have appeared at the Skyway fishing piers. Most are in the 7- to 14-pound range. However, the Skyway pier’s William “Scooter” Robinson said that before long, the big boys will show up. “As a matter of fact, I have [had] a few people say they’ve seen them, but none have been caught here as yet.” He added that most of the kings are being hooked on threadfins or blue runners, which are available all around the piers.

Captain Woody Gore has been keeping his clients busy cranking in the abundant Spanish mackerel terrorizing the giant bait schools around Tampa Bay. He added that the snook bite is still strong around Weedon Island and along the South Shore mangrove points. Gore also said the entire bay is “saturated with baitfish,” keeping many species well-fed and making them tougher to catch.

Captain Craig Lahr, who fishes the Clearwater area, said he has been catching huge redfish on the rocks just outside Clearwater Pass. He also reports abundant Spanish mackerel in the passes and along the beaches.

Hear “The Captain Mel Show” Saturdays from 6-9 a.m. on WFLA, 970 AM. Also, visit “Fishing Florida OnLine Magazine” at capmel.com.