Miami, Florida - Offshore

Heavy rains last week ruined offshore fishing for a while. Tremendous amounts of fresh water ran into the bay, and then over the reefs and then offshore, creating nasty green water out as far as 600 feet. Anglers that did get out after the rains found a good Kingfish bite between Government Cut and Haulover. Many of the Kings were barely legal, yet a few anglers found a few in the fifteen pound class. A few days after the heavy rains there were a few Dolphin found on “eel grass” weedlines in about 550 feet of water. While anglers were bemoaning the dirty waters, an early cold front pushed through the state bringing gusty 20 to 30 knot northerly winds, which should be just the ticket to start the fall season off with a bang! Sailfish should be riding the monster swells heading our way along with schools of baitfish. This cooler weather and northerly winds should push any Dolphin offshore in a little closer. So what does all this mean....KITE FISHING time is here! It’s time to break out the kites and start fishing the edge of the stream with live baits. Already anglers have been catching the front-runners of Sailfish. This weather should start bringing more and more fish into our area each day. Catch a few Sails, a dozen Dolphin, a limit of Kings, a stray Bonita or Mutton Snapper on the down rod, and you just had a terrific day of fishing. This front is about three weeks early, but the winds blew hard for about three days from the north. It can only help. On Thursday nights, from 7pm to 8pm, at the Old Cutler Raw Bar, South Dixie Highway and SW 184 Street, come listen to “Fishing South Florida Style”. This is an hour long live radio show hosted by Mike Pace, Captain Rob Fordyce, Captain Marty Locke, and Captain Mark Houghtaling. Offshore and inshore fishing topics are covered during the live radio broadcast, and you can pick up a few tips from the radio hosts after the show. You can also catch the show on Thunder Country 100.3 FM. Captain Mark Houghtaling wants to hear from you. Send him your latest catches and pictures to15920 SW 85 Ave. Miami, Fla. 33157, or E-Mail him at [email protected]. Capt Mark also has a charter fishing service ,you can call him at 305-253-1151 or check out his web page at http://www.magicfin.com For free safe boating and personal watercraft classes call the Coast Guard Auxiliary at 305-820-8411, or the United States Power Squadron at 305-238-4807