Miami, Florida - Offshore

The Gulf Stream swept in along the reef, and just as predicted, the current picked up and the fishing turned red hot over the weekend. North of Triumph Reef, in 120 feet of water, anglers fishing live baits, had a field day catching Dolphin, Kingfish, Muttons, and Sailfish. It was classic fall fishing, with periodic spurts in the action to almost chaotic levels. On the “Magic Fingers” we fished two kites along the edge and started out with only moderate action on Saturday. We caught a few Dolphin and Kings while drifting north toward Fowey Light. Around 10 a.m., the current picked up to over two knots and the fishing came alive! The Dolphin and Kings continued to bite, but even faster, and the bottom bite ignited, and for the next two hours it was asses and elbows. I normally try to have six baits working at one time ( four on the kites and two down deep), during that frenzy, I could barely keep three baits out. The other three were either baitless or hooked up on fish. Other boats, hearing the action, headed south and joined in on the “bite”. Many Sailfish were caught, with one boat scoring a triple. Down south, off Ocean Reef Yacht Club, anglers found a weedline in 450 feet of water and hammered the Dolphin. Many boats caught their limit of 4 to 10 pound Dolphin. Anglers found larger Dolphin on Friday swimming beneath Frigate birds. My party on Friday caught a 38 lb., a 28 lb., and 10 to 12 pound Dolphin along the edge, just by following the Frigate birds. The fish ( and birds) were heading south. We would position the boat ahead of the diving birds and toss live baits in their direction. The rest was history! A full moon is approaching and I would look for a good bottom bite up and down our area. Many of the drop offs will be holding Muttons and Yellowtail. On the wrecks we should have great action for African Pompano. As the waters begin to cool, the patch reef fishing will begin to turn on. Already divers have reported seeing large amounts of Hog Snapper on the reefs. Muttons will begin their move into shallow water as well as Cero Mackerel and Grouper. Live Ballyhoo are already flooding the reefs and make great live baits for any of the above. The holiday season is approaching fast. If you have plans of taking your northern friends on a chartered fishing trip while visiting, it would be good idea to book you boat early. Already, many boats have been booked for those big weekends. I always get calls from disappointed customers unable to find any boat available during the holidays. 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