Captain Dave Kostyo from Knot Nancy Fishing Charters out of TNT Marina in Keystone reported fishing live baits early and late in the day offshore of Haulover Inlet in depths from 100 to 200 feet of water is producing some hot action on blackfin tuna to 30-plus pounds. His anglers are also catching scattered dolphin, sailfish and kingfish. At night, he has been turning his attention to tarpon fishing at Government Cut, where his anglers are releasing fish to more than 100 pounds.
MIAMI-DADE/
BROWARD
Captain Jay Cohen on the charter boat Spellbound out of Haulover Inlet reported a lot of large blackfin tuna are being caught in depths from 100 to 180 feet of water along current rips. Best bait has been live pilchards and threadfin herring. Kingfish to 30 pounds are being caught on live silver mullet fished under kites. Plenty of amberjacks continue to spawn and feed over the many wrecks offshore of Miami. Captain Mo Estevez of MiamiBonefishing.com reported having action on bonefish and permit while fishing the Oceanside and west sides of South Biscayne Bay. Snook are available on the west shorelines in South Bay.
KEYS
Fishing on the charter boat SeaSquared with captain Chris Johnson out of Marathon, anglers Tim Mcoyfrom Massachusetts and James Cashiola from Mexico teamed up to catch and release 22 lemon sharks fishing the Gulf side of Marathon. IslamoradaSportFishing.com reported offshore anglers have found spotty action with some great catches. Notable was the catch and release of a doubleheader of white marlins made on the charter boat Genesis out of Whale Harbor Marina and the catch of seven wahoo and two dozen gaffer-size dolphin caught aboard the Hang em’ High out of the same marina. Captain Skip Bradeen on the charter boat Blue Chip Too scored on black grouper to 20 pounds and plenty of snapper fishing the reefs off of Islamorada. During the Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament held in Marathon, Marathon anglers Bruce andPam Boring, Mike Cangemi, Clint (Digger) Rodamer and Mich Schofield landed 66.4 pounds of dolphin, including the largest dolphin — a 42-pound bull — to take home the $10,000 first place prize. Captain Marty Locke on the Main Attraction led them to their win.
TREASURE COAST
Captain Kevin Drennan of Slammer Guide Service out of Stuart reported bottom fishing offshore of Stuart is producing a mixed bag of vermillion and lane snappers, porgies and trigger fish. Dolphin are scattered, and a few kingfish are being caught in 60 feet of water. Bonito are feeding off the edges of the bait pods and large jacks are being caught off the beaches. A few pompano are still being caught in the river, and snook are active along the sea walls in the St. Lucie River.
FLORIDA BAY
Captain Jim Hobales reported finding a big school of pilchards and then using the pilchards for chum and live bait. His clients released more than 15 snook in the 30-inch range plus 20 reds, with some over the slot size. Also caught by his clients were sea trout, jacks, ladyfish and a few missed opportunities at sharks and tarpon. All of the action was in Florida Bay.
SOUTHWEST COAST
Captain Rob Modys of Soul Mate Charters out of Fort Myers reported finding plenty of redfish along the east wall, where they are feeding under the mangroves. The reds are eating live shrimp on a jig or a chunk of ladyfish. Snook can be had for catch and release along the mangrove shorelines. Best baits have been a live threadfin herring. Trout are in good numbers and size over the grass flats.
FRESHWATER
Captain Michael Shellen of Shellen Guide Service out of Buck Head Ridge on Lake Okeechobee reported water levels are low enough to push the largemouth bass toward the outside vegetation, where they are easier to target. Schooling bass can be found early in the morning along the grass.