BEST BET

Captain Pete Rapps of Captain Rapps Fishing Charters out of Chokoloskee reported fishing off the Bahia Honda Bridge at first light and around sunset has resulted in nonstop tarpon action. Best baits have been live crabs and DOA Swimmin Mullet jigs. There have been Palolo worm hatches this past week. Captain Bob LeMay reported fishing south and north of Shark River is producing excellent action from snook, tarpon, redfish sea trout and sharks.

MIAMI-DADE/

BROWARD

Captain Dean Panos of Double D Charters out of Keystone Marina reported a great late afternoon blackfin tuna bite that is taking place offshore of Miami in 120 feet of water. Mixed in with blackfins are kingfish to 38 pounds and bonitos. Live threadfin herring have been the bait of choice. Captain Ariel Cabrera from Miami reported bonefishing on the South Biscayne Bay shallow flats has been excellent. Fishing with captain Dave Kostyo of Knot Nancy Fishing Charters out of TNT Marina in Keystone fished around Government Cut with Ross, Erica and Mike Machiela and Chad Wolters, all from Michigan The group teamed up to catch and release three of the five tarpon they hooked. The tarpon weighed in at 40, 70 and 100 pounds and all ate live blue crabs.

KEYS

Captain Mark Schmidt of Sundancer Fishing Charters out of Murrays Marina in Key West reported plenty of hungry tarpon in Key West Harbor and on the shallow flats. Yellowtail snappers are biting on the reefs and grouper and snappers are hot on the rock piles. Offshore, there have been scattered dolphin catches. Bill Crabill and his fiancée, Sally, of Key Biscayne fished with captain Greg Poland of Islamorada in Florida Bay, where they caught and released sea trout.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Michael Savedow of Edgewater River Guide reported there has been a lot of mullet and small baitfish schools in the Mosquito Lagoon, Sea trout, redfish, bluefish, jacks, ladyfish and flounder have been working the baitfish schools hard. Casting live baits and artificial lures is producing full day nonstop action. Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Jensen Beach reported nighttime catch-and-release snook fishing will be good around the bridges and lighted dock lights. During the hotter parts of the day, fish the shadows of the dock in the river for snook, sea trout, sheepshead and redfish.

FLORIDA BAY

Captain Steven Tejera of Knot Tight Charters reported higher water levels in Florida Bay have resulted in great opportunities at sight fly fishing for laid up tarpon on the shallow flats. Snook and plenty of redfish are available on the flats as well. Dr. Nor man Brooks and high school friend Sheryl Gold, both of Miami, fished Florida Bay in Flamingo with captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters and released eight snook from 7 to 121/2 pounds. Their catch included sea trout to 4 pounds, redfish, ladyfish and snappers. All of the fish were caught on live pinfish hooked to a quarter-once red Hookup lure and Gulp baits.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Her Kehoe of Finesse Charters out of Chokoloskee reported fishing offshore structure in the Gulf is producing permits, cobia and large snook. Sea trout and redfish continue to be strong over the grass flats and oyster bars. Captain Ray Markham from Backwater Promtions out of Tampa Bay reported working the ditches and drains from Coakroah Bay south to Manatee River with CAL jigs and shad tails is producing plenty of snook on the outgoing tides. Redfish schools have scattered but should return the open flats where they will eagerly eat jerk baits and MirrOlures. Working the inshore grass flats, anglers are catching black sea bass, sea trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel and flounder casting soft plastics tipped to a jig.

FRESHWATER

Marshall Jones from Mack’s Fishing Camp off of Krome Avenue reports catches of more than 30 largemouth bass during a four-hour charter. Best catches of been made on watermelon soft plastics and 10-inch June bug soft plastics. Nicole Mijia from the Sawgrass Recreation Park reported lots of rain and high water is resulting in slow bass and panfish action.

Capt. Alan Sherman