Miami, Florida - Offshore

Can’t tell you if it’s a lack of fish or a lack of fisherman, but offshore fishing reports have been sketchy at best. Last weeks downpours put a hamper on the enthusiasm of area fisherman and trying to find a reliable report has been difficult. A few of the charterboats out of Crandon Marina have found Dolphin offshore approximately 10 miles out and on occasion have done considerably well. Captain John Dudas on the charterboat L&H did well one day on the weekend and found Dolphin ranging from 5 to 30 pounds. The fish were found under scattered weed and birds. Other reports from the same dock reported an occasional Wahoo and plenty of Bonita along the edge. Captain Quinton Dieterle on the Cutting Edge found Sailfish in deep water offshore “balling” schools of sardines. This is not uncommon during the months of August and September. When these fish are feeding on the schools of Sardines, they will hit just about any live bait thrown at them. Commonly, you will see Frigate birds diving on the schools of bait. Many times I have been sitting over a school of Sardines and had the Sailfish oblivious to your boat and other boats trying to get in on the action. If fact, not only were the Sailfish gorging themselves on the Sardines, but Bonita and Tuna were also in on the action. Entire mornings can be spent chasing diving Frigate birds and feeding Sailfish. Another alternative this time of year would be giving Swordfishing a try. Last year many anglers found Swordfishing productive. In the late seventies it was not uncommon to consistently hook and catch Swordfish up to three hundred pounds during a night of driftfishing for Swords. Tremendous pressure from the longliners decimated the Swordfish population and made fishing for them by recreational anglers worthless. Now, with stringent regulations and the fish making a comeback, anglers have been finding Swordfish in increasing numbers. They have not returned to the large sizes they were in the seventies, but they have been in the hundred pound class, which can be a handful even with heavy tackle. Captain Marty Locke, and Captain Ray Rosher are currently running nighttime offshore trips for Swordfish and you can contact them at 305-233-9470 or 305-596-0419 respectively. 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.