Miami, Florida - Offshore

Fishing Report May 1, 2000 Mark Houghtaling I realize that not everyone can fish on a weekday. And, that it can get quite crowded on the weekends. But if you could see the difference between fishing on the weekend, and fishing during the week, you should make the effort to fish during the week. I am convinced that the fish know when the weekend is here. The baitfish are mugged at every marker from Government Cut to Key Largo. I have seen as many as forty boats at Bug Light on a Saturday morning. I have seen schools of Dolphin anxious to hit anything thrown at them on Friday, not even look at a live bait on Saturday and Sunday, and tear up the water to devour a bare hook on Monday. Such was the case this past weekend, when it was slow on the weekend, but on Monday, everything exploded! The winds turned to the northeast and east on Monday and the Sailfishing was terrific. My party on the “Magic Fingers” caught five out of seven Sailfish, a twenty pound Dolphin, a twenty pound Blackfin Tuna, smaller Dolphin, Kingfish, Grouper, Bonita, and numerous reef fish. Nick Smith fished on his boat “Old Reliable”, and the last I heard, he had caught seven Sailfish while fishing alone. The charter boat “Lisa L” caught two Sailfish during a two hour morning trip. I see time and time again, when the fishing shuts down on the weekend. I don’t have an answer for anglers that can only fish on weekends, except that you have to be the best of the best when you are competing against the weekend crowd. Live bait is a must. Tackle must be perfect. If your fishing time is limited to the weekends you must make every angling minute count. Fresh line, fresh bait, boat and motor in top working condition, all will put you out in front of the crowd. The old saying.... ten percent of the fisherman catch ninety percent of the fish is true. You need to place yourself in that ten percent. Take a few extra hours during the week to go over your tackle. Crank your motor up and turn your electronics on. Visit your local tackle store to get the latest on local fishing info. Most tackle dealers will have a handle on what’s happening in your area. If the wind blows for the next three weeks you may have only one day this month to go fishing....make every minute count! 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.