South Florida fishing report for Feb. 5, 2015
BEST BET
Captain Tom Van Horn of Mosquito Coast Charters reported that this is the time to target tailing large redfish and black drum in the Banana River. Offshore kingfish will be biting over the inshore reefs and wrecks as long as water temperatures stay above 68 degrees. Great kingfish spots are the 8A Reef, Pelican Flats and Bethel Shoals. Cobia will frequent many of these spots as well as the inshore wrecks such as the Carol Lee, Dutch and Sub Wreck. Closer to shore, keep an eye out for tripletail on the offshore buoy line and cobia shadowing big manta rays. From the surf and jetties Spanish mackerel, bluefish, black drum, sheepshead and pompano can be targeted with silver spoons, clams, shrimp, sand fleas and cut bait.
MIAMI DADE/BROWARD
Captain Mo Estevez of New Dawn Charters reported that tarpon fishing has been good at night around the Haulover Inlet. Large live shrimp has been the top tarpon bait. Bonefishing has been good on the Oceanside and Bayside flats in South Bay. Large sharks are feeding on most of the flats that have had bonefish. … Captain Freddie David from the charter boat Frick & Frack out of Miami is mixing things up to keep his clients happy. Fishing in the ocean offshore of Haulover Inlet, his clients have had action from Spanish, cero and king mackerel fishing with live pilchards. In the Bahamas, his clients had very good action from wahoo to 45 pounds. Back offshore of Miami his clients had tilefish that were caught on the bottom in depths over 600 feet of water and swordfish in 2,000 feet of water. In Biscayne Bay at night tarpon and snook kept his clients happy.
KEYS
Captain Bruce Andersen of Captain Easy Fishing Charters out of Islamorada reported fishing outside of the outer reef line is producing limit catches of kingfish, wahoo to 25 pounds and a good amount of sailfish. The best action has been with live pilchards, cigar minnows and ballyhoo. … Captain Rick Rodriguez of Sea Horse Deep Sea Sport Fishing charters out of Islamorada reported sailfishing has been very good and deep dropping for yellow eye, vermillion and queen snappers and snowy groupers, tilefish and porgies is putting plenty of fish in the fish box for his clients.
TREASURE COAST
Nedra Maxwell with the Sebastian Inlet District reported snook season is now open on the Atlantic side and snook are being caught off the north jetty. Most of the snook are over the slot size but a few have been legal. Slot- and over slot-size redfish are being caught along with a few pompano, bluerunners, black drum and a lot of bluefish. Live shrimp and cut bait has been the best baits with most of the action taking place on an outgoing tide.
FLORIDA BAY
Local anglers Steve Bova and Jerry Chaves fished Florida Bay out of Flamingo with captain Alan Sherman of Get Em Sportfishing Charters. During the trip the pair caught tripletail, lots of sea trout, over a dozen redfish to 26 inches and a cobia. Most of the action came with live shrimp fished under a Cajun Thunder float and pinfish hooked to a 1/4-ounce red Hookup lure.
SOUTHWEST COAST
Captain Jon Fetter of Catch the Cure Fishing Charters out of Fort Myers reported weather has been a big factor in his recent catches. Sheepshead are still available in decent sizes and numbers and can be caught with a live shrimp hooked to a 1/0 circle hook fished close the mangroves, oyster bars and dock pilings. … Captain Terry Pitz of Fishing Southwest Florida Fishing Charters out of Pine Island Sound reported sea trout action has been excellent around the sand holes, creek mouths and grass flats. The best action has come in three to five feet of water.
FRESHWATER
Jim Crego from Slim’s Fishing Camp in Belle Glade reported largemouth bass to 12.2 pounds have been caught this past week by bass fishermen. Recent high winds, rains and cold weather have scattered the largemouth bass in his area but the fish are still available and preparing to spawn. The best areas for the largemouth bass have been where the water is clearer and around pepper grass and lily pads. Large live golden shiners have been the top bass baits this week. Speckled perch are biting small live Missouri minnows at night in the areas of Canal Point and Port Mayaca in Indiantown.
Capt. Alan Sherman
This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 11:28 PM with the headline "South Florida fishing report for Feb. 5, 2015."