BEST BET

Captain Raul Montoro of Shallow Tails Guide Service out of Miami reported he is finding plenty of permits on the deeper edges of the shallow grass flats in South Biscayne Bay. The permits are eating well-placed silver dollar size blue crabs. … Plenty of lemon, black tip and spinner sharks are on the prowl on the flats for those looking to bend a fishing rod.

DADE/BROWARD

Captain Jimbo Thomas from the charter boat Thomas Flyer out of Bayside Marina reported fishing offshore of Miami has been tough. During recent charters his clients have had a mixed bag of jacks over the wrecks, tilefish outside of 600 feet of water, a few dolphins, kingfish and an occasional sailfish. … Captain Bouncer Smith of Bouncers Dusky out of Miami Beach Marina reported on recent charters out of Government Cut his clients have had steady action from tarpon at night with a few bluefish, ladyfish and jacks mixed in. Large live shrimp have been the ticket for the tarpon.

KEYS

Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada reported the charter boat fleet has been averaging one to three sailfish each day. On the reef, yellowtail snapper fishing continues to be steady and a few kingfish and blackfin tuna are available. … Cobias up to 35 pounds are being caught in Hawks Channel. … Deep dropping is producing catches of tilefish, snowy and yellowedge groupers.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie reported waiting until the sun gets up has been the key to a good trout bite that is taking place in the areas of Round Island, Bear Point and Harbor Branch. … Live shrimp under a popping cork, CAL jerk baits and top water plugs have been getting the trout bites. … Redfish have been in good numbers along the mangrove shorelines and over the shallow grass flats. … Gold spoons and DOA shrimp are getting the redfish bites.

FLORIDA BAY

Captain Jim Hale of Florida Sportfishing Charters reported plenty of large sea trout are biting over the deeper grass flats in Florida Bay. … Redfish, black drum and sheepshead can be found in the protected back waters west of East Cape. … Captain Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters out of Islamorada reported getting into a hot snook bite that took place along the coast west of East Cape Canal. The snook ate 3/8 ounce Hookup lures tipped with a live shrimp.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Rob Modys of SoulMate Charters out of Fort Myers reported working the backcountry waters of Estero Bay is producing steady catches of sea trout. … Working the flats with a popping cork and shrimp and the mangrove shoreline points with a free lined shrimp and split shot has been the ticket for the trout. … Redfish are scattered along the mangrove islands on the high tides and can be caught on jigs tipped with shrimp.

FRESHWATER

Captain Patrick Stevens out of Slim’s Fishing Camp in Belle Glade reported plenty of largemouth bass are still available in Lake Okeechobee. The bass are eating spinner baits and flukes in the areas of Ritta Island and the East Wall. … Speckled perch continue to bite well during the day and at night. Look for the specks in the cuts in the Rim Canal, around Tree Island and in the Dynamite Holes. … Best baits for the specks have been live minnows and jigs.

Capt. Alan Sherman

shermana@bellsouth.net