Miami, Florida - Offshore

Steady northeast winds have been bringing large schools of bait to the Miami area. This time of the year, larger gamefish will be following the schools of bait looking for an easy meal. Already, Sailfish and Kingfish are showing up in our area. The Sails have been hitting live baits flown from kites along the edge of the Gulf Stream. The Kingfish have been in the area of Government Cut. One angler reported trolling artificial lures offshore in 1000 feet of water, and he found two Yellowfin Tuna in the thirty pound class. He also reported finding school Dolphin in the same area. Another angler found plenty of schoolies along the edge of the reef while he was fishing live baits off the kites. Mixed in with the schoolies have been the occasional Sailfish. Winter time fishing tactics will start being used almost exclusively as we get nearer to November and December. Those tactics include fishing almost all live baits, the use of kites, and bottom rigs such as downriggers and weighted lines placed deeper for kings and the occasional snapper. Catching live bait this time of the year is not a problem now. There has been plenty of bait around markers and those secret “bait patches”. The most common types of baits being found now are Pilchards and Threadfin herring. They should be around now and throughout the winter. Look for African Pompano to start showing up on the artificial wrecks in the Miami area, especially during the times of the full moon. Anchoring ahead of the wreck and feeding a live bait back on the bottom is the preferred method. Cero Mackerel have also been prevalent on the reefs from 40 to 100 feet of water. Live Pilchards will work wonders, but if you prefer artificial lures, a fast moving yellow NyLure, will usually bring a strike. Monofilament leaders will bring more strikes but you will loose a few jigs to the toothy Mackerel. If you decide to use wire I would recommend using #4 stainless steel wire. The first leg of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship Series will begin on November 7th-11th at the Bimini Big Game Club in the Bahamas. Other events will be held at the Lucayan Marina Village December 5-9, The Walkers Cay Resort January 16-20,and The Abaco Beach Resort February 6-10th. These will be Wahoo only Tournaments. Fish three out of four days. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, in an effort to develop a wintertime fisheries in the Bahamas, invites competitors to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Bahamas Out Islands during the winter months. For more information call 305-234-7386 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