BEST BET

Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie reported a bounty of baitfish in the river, and the fish are gorging on these baitfish. Lots of sea trout are biting on the grass flats, and the big news is that pompano have moved into the river and can be found in three to six feet of water along the edges of the flats. The pompano are eating live shrimp, pompano jigs and sand fleas. Some big snook are holding around the docks, and in the inlets, snook and large tarpon are biting at night, redfish have been in the Round Island south to Midway Road and loads of ladyfish and jacks are available.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD

Tom Argue from Anglins Fishing Pier on Commercial Boulevard reported large ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish and cero mackerel, snappers and jacks up to 10 pounds are being caught daily off the pier. . . . Captain Gil Gutierrez from Lucky Fishing Charters out of Miami reported good daytime swordfishing action. . . . Captain Jim Hale of Florida Sportfishing Charters reported great early morning action from permit that are free-floating and eating live silver dollar-sized blue crabs in South Biscayne Bay. Bonefish have been active on the oceanside flats from Angle Fish Creek to Sands Cut. . . . Captain Bouncer Smith on Bouncer's Dusky out of Miami Beach Marina reported action from sailfish, mutton snappers, barracudas and skip jack tunas while fishing offshore of Miami. . . . Fishing Biscayne Bay with captain Jorge Valverde of Low Places Guide Service, Jerry Murphy caught and released an 11-pound bonefish.

KEYS

Joe Goodwin of Little Torch Key ventured offshore to 1,800 feet of water in search of his first daytime swordfish. After two drops and no hits, Goodwin got a solid take of his squid and hooked up to a swordfish that was 11 feet, six inches and estimated at 391 pounds. Goodwin's swordfish was hooked on a Tiagra 50W, 80-pound Power Pro line and a custom-made Key Largo stand-up rod. It took 5 ½ hours to land and had to be towed to the dock. . . . Captain Paul Johnson on the Reef Runner out of Islamorada has been having good action in 180 feet of water from mutton snappers up to 16 pounds, kingfish, bonitos and red groupers.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Tom Van Horn of Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters reported catches of tripletail up to 19 pounds and cobia up to 45 inches along the buoy line north of Port CanaveralLarge tarpon are eating pogys while being fished alongside the huge schools of pogys. . . . Freddie Caimotto from Snook Nook Bait and Tackle in Jensen Beach reported kingfish in 30- to 40- foot depths, small blackfin tuna and scattered dolphins from 90 to 200 feet of water. Mullet continue to migrate south along the beaches.

TREASURE COAST

During the two-day ``A Day on the Bay'' fishing tournament, local anglers Peter Guerra and Martin Gonzalez fished without a guide in Biscayne Bay and landed a barracuda to take the Barracuda Division. On the second day, they caught a permit in Florida Bay in Flamingo while being guided by captain Pete Silot of Saltwater Junkie Guide Service to take the Permit Division. . . . Captain Jim Hobales of Caught Lookin Fishing Charters reported excellent action on tarpon, redfish and small snook in Florida Bay. In Whitewater Bay, his anglers are catching larger snook, redfish and goliath groupers on the Rapala Twitchin Rap in the cichlid colors.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Jeff Legutki of Anglers Addiction Guide Service out of Naples reported that the northeasterly winds from a cold front have moved nutrient-rich plankton-filled waters offshore, providing cleaner waters and lower tides, allowing for back country sight fishing to begin. Legutki expects redfish and snook to start moving into the back country in search of darker, warmer waters. Legutki said this is the time when shrimp, crabs and a slow presentation will get anglers more strikes.

FRESHWATER

Nicole Tharp out of Sawgrass Recreation Area reported that large largemouth bass are being caught on live brim on the west side of Route 27. Smaller bass are responding to live shiners on the north canal along Route 27. Panfish are eating live red worms and water levels are high. . . . Captain Alan Zaremba reported finding peacock bass up to 3 pounds, largemouth bass up to 5 pounds and baby tarpon in the C-100 canal. Baby Torpedoes and floating Rapalas were the top baits.

CAPTAIN ALAN SHERMAN

shermana@bellsouth.net

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