Miami, Florida - Offshore

Islamorada is the hot spot this week! If you want big Dolphin, then Islamorada is the place to go. Captains have been venturing to the “Hump” and beyond in search of Frigate birds diving on Dolphin. Armed with binoculars, they hunt for the birds, and then fish underneath them by trolling lures and rigged Ballyho. Many anglers reported catching multiple fish over twenty five pounds, and many fish from thirty to forty pounds was not unheard of. In fact, a thirty eight pound cow Dolphin was caught during one trip , which is an exceptionally large Dolphin for a cow. If the Dolphin fishing wasn’t enough, the Tarpon fishing on the oceanside of Islamorada has also been terrific. Flyfisherman are having multiple shots at Tarpon moving across the outside flats. The fish are also feeding under the bridges at night. Off Miami, Dolphin fishing has been only fair, with an occasionally good day. They can been found from just offshore in 200 feet of water to as far out as 15 miles. Inside along the edge, the Blackfin Tuna bite has been great. Many fish have been up to 30 pounds. They have been busting live baits fished off the kite. There is still an occasional Sailfish around, and the Kingfishing is still producing. The areas north of Triumph Reef and off Key Biscayne have been receiving the most action. With daily temperatures reaching 90 degrees, and the winds beginning to stay under 20 knots, night fishing can be a rewarding alternative to sweltering daytime fishing. On the weekends it can be especially beneficial at night because you don’t have to fight the crowds. Mangrove and Yellowtail Snapper will start gathering on deeper reefs and ledges at night and they are not quite as shy as they are during the day. Mutton Snapper have already left the shallow patches that they have been living on all winter, and are now moving onto the deeper reefs. Most of the fish will be on ledges from 40 ft. of water or deeper. Look for ledges that have drop offs from 10 to 20 ft. There are many of them off the Dade ,Monroe coast. Use your depth finder to locate schools of fish congregating over the ledge. Also many of the artificial reefs off Dade county have plenty of snapper on them. These fish don’t hit real well during the daytime, but at night when the traffic is not heavy they can be heavy hitters. Anchor your boat well ahead of the ledge . Anticipate the rate of current and where your chum will fall. The fish are not as spooky during the night and they don’t hesitate to move off their haunts for a meal, so be sure you anchor far enough up current. Preferred tackle is a heavy spinning rod filled with 20 lb. test line. The ever popular “knocker rig” will produce most of your fish. This rig is very simple . Thread a sliding egg singer onto your line and tie on a hook. No leader and no swivels. That’s it ! You’ll want to use an egg singer heavy enough to keep your bait on the bottom in heavy current. Bring an assortment from 2 ounces to 6 ounces. Use a hook in size ranging from # 1 to 2/0 . I prefer the Eagle Claw L194 1/0 live bait hook. Fresh ballyho and shrimp work well for bait but the best bait is a live pilchard. While you are anchored and chumming, live pilchards will come into the light of your boat. Catching them with a cast net will give you all the bait you’ll need for the night. Hook a live bait through the nose or under his belly and send him down to the bottom and hold on. You may see snapper schooling behind your boat , but usually these are smaller fish, the big boy’s are on the bottom. Many times the fish will prefer a fresh cut dead pilchard so try them both ways. If you start getting strikes that are so big you can’t stop them ,they could be Cubera Snapper ! You’ll have to get out the heavy tackle to turn these monsters around. The Annual Perrine Cutler Ridge Kiwanis Club Dolphin Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 10th. The captain’s meeting will be held at 8:00 p.m. at the Old Cutler Oyster Co. on SW 184 St. and South Dixie Highway on Thursday June 8th. There will be a guaranteed first prize of $ 5000.00. There will be a fish fry after the tournament at OC’s. For more information call Captain Marty Locke at 305-788-5991.