Miami Fishing Report: Key Biscayne to Triumph Reef

Last week South Florida anglers finally got the first substantial cold front of this year’s unusually warm winter. The action has been as unpredictable as the weather. Shortly after the passing of the front sailfish action heated up. Some boats fishing South of Triumph reef reported getting close to twenty shots at the weary spindlebeaks. On other days it seemed like boats were having to work hard all day for just a shot or two. Usually dependable kingfish and dolphin have also become scattered this week with fewer and smaller catches. Some boats have also been reporting nice catches of grouper and snapper over the shallower reefs. If you move over deeper waters you will still find cooperative amberjack along with yellow eye and vermillion snapper. Sometimes they will be together because the AJ’s also enjoy a snapper meal from time to time. Anglers that are hooked on “The Dark Side” have also been enjoying a steady bite from these worthy adversaries. Action seemed to peek right before the full moon with many reporting three to six shots per outing. Many of the fish being caught have been of respectable size. Action should heat up again soon after the passing of this full moon. Another distinct advantage of the darker nights is the availability of tinker mackerel that can be caught on quill rigs and quickly re-deployed in hopes of enticing a hungry swordfish. On a final note for those that prefer the inshore scene. Snook season is finally open again and anglers have not been disappointed. Many linesiders were caught minutes after the opening Feb. 1st. Tarpon have also made their appearance in and around Government Cut. If you plan to fish around the cut be very careful because the USS Gridley is docked in the port of Miami and security is extremely tight. Tight Lines, Captain Orlando Muniz