Fishing report

BEST BET

Captain Jami Owens from the party boat Atlantis out of Haulover Marina reported day trips offshore of Haulover Inlet are producing daily catches of schoolie dolphins. The dolphins are being found in depths from 200 to 300 feet of water. A few kingfish are being caught on ballyhoo hooked to three-hook rigs and three sailfish ate those same rigs but were lost during the battle. Anglers fishing the bottom over artificial wrecks are catching an assortment of jacks and Spanish mackerel are being caught trolling on the way out and way in. Captain Mo Estevez of MiamiBonefishng.com reported having plenty of action from large bonefish and permits while working the shallow flats of South Biscayne Bay. Estevez found fish on both the mainland and Oceanside flats.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD

Captain Jimbo Thomas from the charter boat Thomas Flyer out of Bayside Marina reported having limit catches of dolphins that attacked trolled feathers and live threadfin herring offshore of Miami Beach in 300 feet of water. Fishing on the Knot Nancy with captain Dave Kostyo out of Haulover Inlet Paul Zatek of New York landed 18 dolphins in the 5- to 10-pound range plus two red groupers. The action was in 100 to 200 feet of water and the fish were eating live pilchards and jigs. Andre Rosen and his son Austin of New York fished North Biscayne Bay with captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters for four hours and caught over a dozen bluefish to four pounds, Spanish and king mackerel, sea trout and jack crevalles. All of the fish were caught on Rapala Skitter Walks and Hookup lures tipped with Gulp baits.

KEYS

IslamoradaSportFishing.com reported sailfish have responded to the recent weather. Best action has been the king mackerel just outside the outer reef line. On the patches, plenty of cero mackerel are hitting jigs. Out in the Gulf over structure, plenty of sea trout, a few cobias and a lot of Spanish mackerel and bluefish are biting. Captain Richard Stanczyk out of Bud N Mary’s Marina reported finding mackerel out in the open water of Florida Bay and redfish and snook on the shorelines of Florida Bay.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie reported whiting, pompano and bluefish are available in the surf on calmer days. Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish are thick in the St. Lucie Inlet on the incoming tide. Sheepshead, black drum and pompano are being caught in the open waters of the River. Sea trout have been around in big numbers and can be found on both sides of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Best baits have been a Cal jerk baits and DOA glow shrimp.

FLORIDA BAY

Captain Bob LeMay reported he has been working the interior islands and outside shorelines near Shark River. His anglers have had many backcountry slams and catches have included action from snook, redfish, sea trout, tarpon and a small sawfish. Almost all the fish ate a jig head tipped with Gulp baits.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Scott Hughes of Blackwater Charters out of Punta Gorda reported that he has not been catching as many sea trout in his area as he has in the past, He is not sure if it is because of a recent red tide or the larger commercial sea trout bag limits and open recreational season. His clients are catching lots of small flounder and slot size redfish over the grass flats, sandy areas and along the shorelines. Captain Rob Modys of Soul Mate Fishing Charters out of Fort Myers reported sea trout are being caught in big numbers in Estero Bay and the lower areas of Pine Island. The bigger trout are biting Rapala Skitter Walks, Bomber Badonk-A-Donks and Heddon Zara Spooks. Redfish are biting live shrimp under a float in the back bays and sheepshead is being caught along the mangroves. Loads of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish are being caught off the beaches.

FRESHWATER

Captain Alan Zaremba and his clients fished the C-100, C-8, C-4 canals and Lake Ida. During these trips, his clients caught as many as 26 peacock bass, 12 largemouth bass, a sunshine bass and a snook. The majority of these fish were caught on Baby Torpedoes and floating Rapalas.

Capt. Alan Sherman