BEST BET

Captain Gil Gutierrez of Luck Charters out of TNT Marina in Keystone reported he had been having action from red groupers and mutton snappers to 12 pounds and amberjacks fishing the ledges and wrecks off of Miami, and he expects that fishing to return by this weekend. Captain Dean Panos from Double D charters out of Keystone Marina reported before the stormy weather he had had no trouble getting limit catches of heavy lifter dolphins for his clients in the Gulfstream off Miami.

MIAMI DADE/BROWARD

Captain Bouncer Smith of Bouncers Dusky out of Miami Beach Marina wanted to remind fishermen that snook season on the Atlantic coast opens Saturday. Small tunas normally become abundant in 300 to 800 feet of water, and swordfishing is normally very good in September offshore of Miami. Bill Cuervo of Fort Lauderdale caught a white marlin off of North Fort Lauderdale in 120 feet of water. The fish weighed about 70 pounds and was caught on a drifted Spanish sardine with a mylar skirt on the Oh Reel with Lyn Oreal.

KEYS

Captain Jason Long from Best Bet Sportfishing Charters out of Marathon reported that this spiny lobster season has been one of the best he has seen in recent years. Best areas have been in the bay in channels with a six-to-10-foot depth. Captain Rick Rodriguez from of Sea Horse Deep Sea Sportfishing reported before Tropical Storm Isaac that he was finding all the dolphins he wanted 15 or more miles offshore of Marathon. Captain Bill Hauck from the party boat Sea King out of Marathon reported that they will start running offshore bottom fishing trips again starting Wednesday now that Keys waters are starting to settle down following Tropical Storm Isaac.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie advised boaters to be careful when venturing out on the River because of possible large pieces of floating debris that might have found its way into the River from all of the rain and high water levels. Before Isaac, large sea trout were biting along the drop offs and sand bars. During early mornings large sea trout were eating top water lures over the shallow grass flats. Snapper and sheepshead were available next to rocky shorelines, docks and bridge pilings and in the inlets bonitos, redfish, snook and Spanish mackerel were available.

FLORIDA BAY

Before the storm, Captain Ariel Cabrera reported great numbers of redfish have been found on all of the flats in Florida Bay. Casting artificial lures like the Gulp and Fishbites have been getting almost instant strikes from the reds. He has found most of his fish in the Pole and Troll areas.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Butch Rickey of BarHopp’R Kayak Fishing out of Pine Island Sound reported fishing out of the Castaways Marina before the storm that redfish and snook had been biting hot on jigs. Best action had been on the last of the incoming tides. Late afternoon thunderstorms continue to be a problem.

FRESHWATER

Captain Alan Zaremba reported before Tropical Storm Isaac came through that the surface bite in the urban canals had tapered off. Sight fishing with flies had produced catches of Peacock bass to seven pounds. Working the L-29 and L-30 canals, he has had up to 32 largemouth bass to three pounds that ate Rapala X Raps, Rat-L-Traps and Gambler ribbon tailed soft plastic worms.

Capt. Alan Sherman

shermana@bellsouth.net