Miami, Florida - Offshore

They’re performing a disappearing act. Here today and gone tomorrow. Over there yesterday, right here today. Dolphin that is. Mahi, Mahi. Get ready for these great fighting, colorful, jumping , tasty creatures. Before long the boat ramps will be packed, tackle store owners will be all smiles because Dolphin season will be here! They have been showing up sporadically. Most of the fish have been found in close along the edge. Any rip or weedline that you can find from 100 feet out to 400 feet of water may be holding fish. Early in the morning look for the Dolphin in close along the edge of the reef. They have been especially active when the seas have been on the rougher side. I spoke with one angler that traveled over 20 miles offshore and never found a fish until he came back in along the reef and fished live Pilchards along the edge and caught a half a dozen schoolies. It is still a little too early to find Dolphin under diving Petrals. The Petrals should start arriving around April. When they arrive you should have no trouble finding diving Petrals over a schools of Dolphin. As always be on the lookout for a Frigate bird. It’s a sure sign of fish when you see him close to the surface of the water. No doubt he is following Dolphin. Sailfishing continues to be excellent. Anglers are catching and releasing up to ten fish per day. From Ocean Reef to Miami Beach anglers have been seeing “pods” of Sailfish along the reef. As always clean water and a good current helps the “bite”. Tarpon have been active inside Government Cut. The fish have been feeding during both morning and evening periods. Live shrimp has been working well. They have also been seen along the beaches north of Government Cut. April 30th is the date for this years, David and Mary Alper Grand Dolphin Fishing Tournament. There will be $5500 in prize money. $ 300.00 entry fee per boat. Weigh-in will be at the Jewish Community Center on 11155 SW 112 Ave in south Dade. For more information call 305-271-9000 ext 241. Professional captains are welcome 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.