BEST BET

Freddy Caimotto of the Snook Nook Bait and Tackle in Jensen Beach reported beach fishermen were experiencing a strong bite from tarpon during early mornings and late afternoons. Along with the tarpon there were lots of bonitos, jacks, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel. These fish were feeding on large schools of glass minnows. Top baits to fish with were the DOA Bait Buster and silver spoons. … Because of strong currents and cold water, the offshore fishing has been slow. … Plenty of sea trout, snook and redfish were hitting Zara Spooks and Mirrodine lures early and late in the day in the River.

DADE/BROWARD

Captain Quinton Dieterle from the charter boat Cutting Edge out of Key Biscayne reported finding schools of under size dolphins and a few legal fish offshore of Miami in 800 feet of water. … Look for birds and floating debris to locate the schools. … On the reef lots of bonitos, small tunas, large kingfish and a few wahoo are biting. … Christian and Taryn Bergstrom from St. Petersburg fished offshore of Port Everglades on the Happy Day Today Charter boat with captain Tom Zask out of Fort Lauderdale in 120 feet of water and landed seven kingfish to 26 pounds and 10 bonitos to 15 pounds. … Captain Raul Montoro of Shallow Tails Guide Service reported finding plenty of hungry bonefish, permits and snappers while working the shallow flats of South Biscayne Bay on moving tides.

KEYS

Captain Jason Long from Best Bet Sportfishing out of Marathon reported offshore day fishing has been slower due to the heat but plenty of blackfin tuna and dolphins are still available if you’re the one that comes upon a group of hungry fish. The tunas have been on the Humps and the dolphins have been 12 to 20 miles offshore. On the bottom there have been some mutton snappers to 15 pounds during the day and mangrove and yellowtail snappers at night. Captain Bill Hauck from Sea King Party Boat out of Marathon reported nighttime snapper fishing for mangrove, yellowtail and mutton snappers has been excellent. Daytime snapper fishing has been slow due to clear hot water, barracudas and sharks.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie reported big schools of glass minnows have moved into the turning basin in Fort Pierce and schools of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks, ladyfish and bonitos have been going crazy on the minnows on the incoming tides. … Sea trout, redfish and snook have been biting on DOA soft plastics from sunrise until about 9 a.m. near Queen’s Cove and Harbor Branch. … Mangrove snappers and sheepshead are feeding along the channel edges and bridge pilings.

FLORIDA BAY

Captain Nestor Alvisa of Hooked on Flamingo Charters reported snook and redfish action has been red hot around the islands both west and east of Flamingo. … Weedless Gulp shrimp and jerk baits have been getting the most strikes. … Plenty of sea trout and snappers are biting over the deeper grass flats. … Captain Jim Hobales of Caught Lookin Charters reported having plenty of action from snook and redfish to 30 inches plus sea trout, tarpon and lots of mangrove snappers working the flats and channels in the east part of Florida Bay. … Casting pinfish and Gulp soft plastics on a jig head and Rapala Twitchin Raps over the grass and pot holes has resulted in the most action.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Pete Rapps of Captain Rapps Fishing Charters out of Chokoloskee reported redfish are plentiful on the outside oyster bars on the incoming tides. … Live pilchards, threadfin herring and shrimp fished under a popping cork and soft plastics on a 3/8 ounce red jig head are producing the most redfish strikes. … Big snook for catch and release are being caught around the outside barrier islands on live baits and artificial lures. … Trout are over the shallow grass flats in three to five feet of water eating live baits and bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp and tarpon can be found in the outside bays and flats early in the morning.

FRESHWATER

Nicole Mejia from Sawgrass Recreation Park reported hot temperatures have the largemouth bass feeding at night and during early morning hours and late afternoons. … Best action for the bass has been when the flood gates have been open. … Live wild shiners have been getting some of the biggest fish. … Plenty of panfish are eating live worms and are feeding throughout the day.

Capt. Alan Sherman

shermana@bellsouth.net