SOUTH FLORIDA OFFSHORE
Capt. Steve Souther of Fort Lauderdale charter boat Marlin My Darlin reported great fishing for dolphin 8-14 pounds around color changes and patches of weeds in 500-800 feet. Skye Molineux reported catching dolphin 8-20 pounds Thursday in 550 feet out of Hillsboro Inlet. Spanish mackerel were plentiful just off the beach north of the inlet
SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE
Some small redfish were biting around the outside islands south of Chokoloskee, but bigger redfish and some cobias were biting just offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Snook and redfish were biting in Florida Bay.
THE KEYS
Bud N' Mary's Marina in Islamorada reported lots of dolphin were biting around grass patches. Keeper black groupers, some big kingfish, a few cobias and a mix of snappers were biting on the reefs.
Sailfish Series: The Sailfish Pro Series kicks off with the first of four events Tuesday and Wednesday out of Miami Beach Marina. Registration is Monday at the South Beach Marriott. The tournament concludes with an awards dinner at Jungle Island at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The dinner is hosted by NASCAR President Mike Helton with auctions that benefit the NASCAR Foundation. Visit sailfishcup.com.
Fernandina Beach to Flagler Beach
Offshore
Rough Seas have dominated the ocean, even keeping many anglers from fishing the inlets or jetties. I am no weatherman, but it looks like there may be a few days of calmer weather this weekend. Wahoo at the Ledge and grouper on the nearshore wrecks (inside 15 miles) were the top patterns before the blow started. I will keep a close eye on those who get out and report the good and the bad next week.
Inshore
Flounder continue to dominate most anglers’ trips the last week, even with the windy weather we had to endure. Most action has been in the Blount Island part of the St. Johns River, Guana Dam, St. Augustine Inlet dock areas and Matanzas Inlet. Trout are hitting topwaters with a vengeance: Fernandina port area, Sisters Creek, Salt Run and many other similar areas should be visited. You can’t pick a better time of year to get all-day topwater action from trout. Skitter Walks, Bombers (BaDonk A Donk), Top Dogs and Super Spooks are all lures that should get you trout action. I also like Mill Cove, Pumpkin Hill Creek and Simpson’s Creek for topwater trout.
Surf anglers should be on red alert. Bull reds have been running the beaches from Jacksonville Pier south. Pompano, whiting, and black drum are all in the surf as Larry Finch last reported. Amelia Island had excellent pompano action. How the rough ocean has affected fishing, we’re not sure. Find out by grabbing a surf rod and casting out fresh dead shrimp or a live mullet. There’s a big possibility of getting spooled with oversize redfish moving up and down the beaches, so carry an extra spool of line.
Avid Angler Bait & Tackle was also reporting great pompano and whiting action off their beaches before the blow. If you have been locked up in the house for the last week because of the weather—get up, get out, and go fishing! A bull red in the surf will bring a smile.
Bud Karas walterkaras44@gmail.com
My list of Florida fish related terms
Amberjack, Ballyhoo, Banded Rudderfish, Bluefish, Bonefish, Bonita, Chumming, Cobia, Florida, Flounder, Flying Fish, Gag Grouper, Greater Amberjack, How to Make pilchard rings, Ladyfish, Lesser Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, Mangrove Snapper, Menhaden, Mud Minnow, Mullet, Permit, Pinfish, Red Snapper, Redfish, Sailfish, Salt Water, Shrimp, Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Spotted Seatrout, Squid, Tarpon, Tides, Tilefish, Triggerfish, Triple Tail, Vermillion Snapper, Wahoo, West Palm Beach Florida,