BEST BET

Captain Alex Adler on the Kalex Charter boat out of Bud N Mary’s Marina reported dolphins from schoolies to fish over 30 pounds have been caught in the blue water. Blackfin tuna and amberjacks plus some huge sharks are being caught over the Humps. A few large kingfish have been landed and sailfish are still being caught and released along the outer reef line. On the bottom, plenty of yellowtail snappers are being caught along with some big mutton snappers and groupers.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD

Fishing in Biscayne Bay with captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters, local anglers John Gomez, Erik Rodriguez and his 6-year-old son, Victor, teamed up to catch five sea trout, bluefish and a lot of small blacktip sharks using live pilchards fished under a Cajun Thunder float. Four of the sea trout measured from 21 to 24 inches with a top weight of 4.75 pounds. Captain Dave Kostyo of Knot Nancy Charters out of TNT Marina in Keystone Point reported nighttime tarpon fishing in and around Government Cut is still producing plenty of fish. Using live shrimp and medium-size crabs has produced most of the tarpon strikes. Captain Jimbo Thomas of Thomas Flyer Fishing Charters out of Bayside Marina reported pesky sailfish have kept his clients from catching the very large blackfin tuna that have been available offshore of Miami and Key Biscayne. Using live Spanish sardines, threadfin herring and cigar minnows in areas where the blue water edge has been inside of 200 feet of water has made the difference in their fishing. Dolphins continue to be available but are scattered offshore.

KEYS

Captain Brian Cone of Contagious Fishing Charters out of Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada suggests looking for dolphins in the blue water under the frigate birds and sooty terns. A dead ballyhoo has been one of top baits for the dolphin. Deep dropping in 400 to 500 feet of water is producing nice catches of vermillion snappers and porgies. Fresh squid and bonito strips are getting the bottom bites. Captain Dexter Simmons of Key West Fly Fishing Charters reported sight tarpon fishing has been excellent on the shallow flats in his area.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Michael Savedow of Edgewater River Guide of New Smyrna Beach reported working the shallow flats of the Mosquito Lagoon is producing sea trout to 28 inches, plenty of redfish, some snook, snappers, jacks, ladyfish, black drum and sheepshead. Jigs tipped with scented baits have been the most productive baits. Captain Tom Van Horn of Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters reported fishing just outside the beaches is producing catches of large jack crevalles and sharks. Tripletail and large kingfish have been feeding along the Port Canaveral buoy line. Slow trolling a live pogies is a good way to get into a large kingfish. Kingfish also have been in good numbers in the Pelican Flats, 8A Reef and the inshore reefs and artificial reefs.

FLORIDA BAY

Captain Jim Hobales of Caught Lookin Charters reported finding a school of hungry slot-size sea trout along the shallow flats of Middle Ground. These fish were eating finger mullet fished under a float. Plenty of large lemon sharks ate chunks of ladyfish fished on the bottom. The ladyfish chunks also attracting the attention of large snook and redfish. Hobales reported having multiple shots at some very large free-floating tripletail in Florida Bay.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Lisa Williams of Sea Gone Charters out of Fort Myers reported tarpon have become more available along the outside shorelines and many tarpon fishermen are hooking up to large sharks that have eaten their tarpon baits. Goliath grouper, sea trout and mackerel are eating live shrimp in areas that have hard bottom structure and artificial reefs. Snook, large jacks and flounder can be found around the outside creek and river mouths and redfish have been eating ladyfish chunks along the mangrove shorelines in the back bays.

FRESHWATER

Jim Crego out of Slim’s Fishing Camp in Belle Glade reported bass anglers are going through six dozen or more live wild shiners and catching plenty of fish to 7 pounds. The bass are holding in the grass and under the lily pads. Some anglers are flipping soft plastics and others are casting spinner baits for the bass.

Capt. Alan Sherman