Miami, Florida - Offshore

Record numbers of Sailfish were caught during the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament last week and there’s no doubt that this action should continue for the next couple of weeks. Beautiful, deep blue, Gulf Stream water pushed along the edge of the reef and produced almost perfect Sailfishing conditions during the tournament. Along with a steady fifteen knot breeze, to keep the kites flying, and a good chop on the water to keep the fish awake, anglers couldn’t have asked for better Sailfishing weather. In addition to the Sailfish, during the first day of fishing, fisherman were complaining about being plagued with persistent Kingfish attacks on their $100.00 per dozen Sailfish baits. The area south of Government Cut was teaming with large twenty to thirty pound Kingfish. If you drifted in too shallow with your baits, it didn’t take long for one of these big Kings to launch an aerial attack on your helpless bait. On the second and third day of the tournament they more or less disappeared. They may have been just passing through, however, the effects of last weeks full moon may have been the culprit and they may still be out there. This week will tell all. Blackfin Tuna are beginning to show up off Key Biscayne and Miami Beach. Hefty twenty-five to thirty pound Tuna were caught during the Tournament. Blackfin Tuna commonly show up in our area this time of the year. Fishing live baits will work best, but anglers trolling with feathers should catch their share of fish. Very few Dolphin were caught during the tournament, however, this may have been because few anglers were putting much effort into catching them. I found a pallet floating near the edge and it did have quite a few schoolies lying beneath it but we left them in search of Sailfish. Any day from now through June could find awesome Dolphin fishing. I don’t think there is a better time of the year to fish here in South Florida. The variety and the size of the fish is the best around. Fish are active both offshore and inshore. Get out and enjoy it. The Dave and Mary Alper JCC’s 4th Annual Grand Dolphin Fishing Tournament will be held Sunday, May 6th, 2001. $5500.00 Cash Prizes Guaranteed and a $10,000 Bonus to break the State of Florida Dolphin weight record. Lines in at 7:00 am with a weigh-in deadline of 5:30 p.m.. Boats can launch from any location. There will be a fish fry starting a 5:30 p.m. at the Alper JCC at 11155 SW 112 Avenue. Entry fee is $300.00 per boat with the proceeds to benefit the JCC Youth Scholarship and Sports Program. For more information call Danny Berry at 305-271-9000 ext. 241.