This week’s best bet for fishing: Dolphin action as far as 25 miles offshore of Miami
BEST BET
Captain Dean Panos of Double D Charters out of Keystone Marina reported recent southwest and west winds have broken up the big patches of weeds that had been 10 or 12 miles offshore scattering the dolphin schools. The best dolphin action recently has come as far as 25 miles offshore of Miami. Panos reported in depths from 120 to130 feet of water sailfish, kingfish and wahoo were biting.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD
Captain Mo Estevez of New Dawn Charters reported the the backside of the Oceanside islands In South Biscayne Bay have had a lot of bonefish. The bonefish are eating small crabs, large shrimp and flies. Captain Quinton Dieterle of the charter boat Cutting Edge out of Crandon Park Marina reported there has been some blue marlin chasing the schools of small dolphins offshore of Miami. Captain Orlando Muniz of Nomad Fishing Charters reported in depths between 100 and 140 feet of water offshore of Miami plenty of bonitos and a few kingfish are biting. On the bottom along the reef and over some of the wrecks there has been yellowtail and mutton snappers, amberjacks and grouper.
KEYS
Captain Lee Daniel Kerbel of Inner Circle Sport Fishing out of Key West reported in depths from 80 to 200 feet of water early in the day blackfin tuna, a few sailfish and kingfish have been biting on live threadfin herring, cigar minnows, blue runners and pilchards. On the bottom over rocky structure big mutton snappers, amberjacks, yellow jacks and groupers are being caught. One of Kerbel’s clients caught a 66 pound wahoo on 20 pound spinning tackle. Captain Bill Hauck from the party boat Sea King out of Marathon reported the mangrove snapper bite has been awesome over the offshore reefs. Mark and Suzan Farber of Miami and daughter Leyah of New York fished aboard the charter boat Ultimate Dream out of Post Card Inn in Islamorada with captain Scott Bannerot. During the two days of fishing, the trio caught and released two tarpon, boated a dozen yellowtail snappers and released seven other species of fish that included a 24 pound barracuda and a 10 pound yellow jack.
TREASURE COAST
Captain Scott Collins of Jupiter Fishing Charters reported the offshore fishing has been red hot. Working the depths inside of 200 feet of water where baitfish schools are abundant kingfish, bonitos and sailfish are eating their flat lined live baits. In depths from 200 to 1,000 feet of water, dolphins and blackfin tuna are biting. On the reef it’s been a mixed bag of kingfish, snappers, porgies, amberjacks, cobia and triggerfish. Captain Tom Van Horn of Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters reported the fishing in the Indian River Lagoon has been very good during the early mornings. Sea trout have been in good numbers and have been going after scaled sardine twitch baits in 18 inches of water. Redfish are up on the shallow flats and eating DOA 5.5 weedless jerk baits.
FLORIDA BAY
Captain Bob LeMay reported fishing along the coast and into the river mouths in the area of Shark River has been excellent. Casting artificial lures he has caught tripletail of the down tress, snook to 32 inches, all the snapper, ladyfish, sea trout and jacks that he cares to catch, and hooked and lost some very large gag and goliath groupers. Captain Jason Sullivan of Rising Tide Charters reported small tarpon have been very active during early morning in Florida Bay. Tailing redfish are feeding high up on the shallow flats.
SOUTHWEST COAST
Captain Jon Fetter of Catching the Cure Fishing Charters of Fort Myers reported large snook have been feeding around the floating docks and mangrove shorelines. Some of the snook have been more than 40 inches. Live baits are getting the strikes. Redfishing has been good along the mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Plenty of sea trout, jacks, ladyfish, snapper and sharks are being caught on jigs tipped with shrimp in many of the passes.
FRESHWATER
Captain Pat Stevens from Slim’s Fishing Camp in Belle Glade reported Lake Okeechobee’s water level is up to 12 feet. Largemouth bass are biting in the cuts, holes and along the outer weedlines near Iron Cross. The bass are eating Rattle Traps, top water lures early and soft plastic later in the day. Bluegills are tapering off and channel catfish are being caught in the canals where there is a good current.
Capt. Alan Sherman
This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 7:43 PM with the headline "This week’s best bet for fishing: Dolphin action as far as 25 miles offshore of Miami."