BEST BET

Freddy Caimotto from the Snook Nook Bait and Tackle in Jensen Beach said along the beaches a lot of cobias and one large school of bull reds was spotted that produced fish up to 20 pounds. Large croakers and a few pompano are being caught from the surf. Offshore, there have been sailfish, and around the bridges, big black drum, sheepshead and a few pompano are being caught.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD

Lester Wenger of Lester’s Live Bait out of Haulover Inlet said baitfish schools have been difficult to find in the bay. Offshore anglers are catching Spanish mackerel in 30 feet of water, kingfish and a few sailfish outside the outer reef, and dolphins in 700 feet of water. Fishing offshore of South Biscayne Bay with captain Matt Lofton of Flats Unlimited Charters out of Miami, Gil Muratori and his wife, Mary, of Miami caught cero mackerel, grouper, bonito, yellow jacks, houndfish, yellowtail snappers and a 50-pound sailfish using live baits. Captain Gil Gutierrez of Lucky Fishing Charters out of T&T Marina in Keystone saw steady action from sailfish and kingfish outside the outer reef off of Miami. Working the offshore wrecks, his anglers are releasing large groupers while landing mutton snappers to 12 pounds, and large almoco jacks and amberjacks. Tarpon have been hit-and-miss in Government Cut.

KEYS

Captain Bob Fernicola of Backcountry/Ocean Charters out of Key Largo said bottom fishing over the reefs has been excellent with a lot of groupers being released. A variety of snappers plus Spanish mackerel to 8 pounds, big porgies and hogfish are filling his client’s coolers. Best baits have been fresh cut ballyhoo and live shrimp. Captain Richard Stanczyk out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada found quite a few snook, sheepshead, black drum to 30pounds and redfish up in the creeks in the East Cape area. Fishing in the open water near the Keys, his anglers scored on a lot of Spanish mackerel.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Tom Van Horn of Mosquito Coast Charters suggested fishing the deeper grass flats and pot holes later in the morning when targeting redfish and sea trout. Soft plastics are working on the trout and redfish. Spanish mackerel, flounder, bluefish and pompano are biting in the same areas.

FLORIDA BAY

Locals Brian Haber and Larry Feiner fished Flamingo with captain Ariel Cabrera and in two days caught more than 65 fish using live shrimp, Gulp shrimp and flies. The catch consisted of redfish, black drum to 10 pounds, sheepshead, sea trout, bluefish and jacks. Pat Sunman of Miami fished the Flamingo area with captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters and released six snook, seven redfish, sea trout, black drum, snappers and sheepshead. Top baits were live shrimp hooked to 1/4-ounce red Hookup lure and live shrimp fished under a Cajun Thunder float.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Rob Modys of Soul Mate Charters out of Fort Myers said rising water temperatures should get the fishing going again in Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Recent trips have seen a lot of action from large bonnethead sharks in four to five feet of water.

FRESHWATER

Nicole Mejia from Sawgrass Recreation Park in Fort Lauderdale said water levels have been dropping for a month and plenty of largemouth bass have moved into the canals, especially the east canal. Soft plastic craws have been the top bait for the largemouth bass.

Captain Alan Sherman