Miami's Biscayne Bay
Capt. John Dickinson
July 6, 2008
Biscayne Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing in South Florida has been good when weather patterns hold and wind and rain chances are low. We have spent many days running from showers that quickly move on and fishing can get slow. Summer time is here and tailing Bonefish and rolling Tarpon are exciting sights to see as you are standing on the bow of the boat. Most mornings the large Tarpon are moving on the oceanside flats and Bonefishing has been good in the interior bay. Most of the Tarpon are on the last leg of their migration and headed north. Angler pressure is easing off and I will give it a shot this week with the fly rod before most fish are gone. Presentation will be important now that most fish have been looking at flies all summer but this is my time of year I get a chance and I don't pass it up. So the best cast you got will be all they will look at.
Permit fishing has also been picking up but cloudy, rainy weather seems to have the most effect on these fish and they will leave the flats and stay off until the weather has gone . Live crabs are the best bet and good sunlight is a must to get the most out of it. Most anglers don't like wind but we like it because the fish aren't as spooky and you get more chances to hook up. Fishing most of the time next to major channels with a strong tide is the best place to start. Sometimes you can see the Permit in the channel as we pole along the edge. They will eat a crab tossed out and reeled into their path with no doubt. When they get on the flats the ball game can change with a cast that has to be just right and not too loud. They are on the alert and anything too noisy will often spook them. Though fly fishing is a little more demanding for them, a well place fly just in front of them and sinking fast will have the best chance of getting a bite. Don't move it until you see them stop and tail, then give it a slow strip and feel for pressure. You have to read the fish to have the best chance to get the hook in them. They have been known to eat the fly and spit it before you even think he is on it. Practice makes perfect !
Most mornings we have been fishing Bonefish. Cloudy days have made water temp moderate and Bonefishing has been good in the mornings. If you have a low tide you will see tails as they feed. One morning on a recent trip we had falling water that was already low and windy conditions. Fish were up and tailing hard and we had a number of shots. We could see them a 100 yds away tailing and with good casting had no problem hooking fish. Cloud cover became a problem but we continued to fish low water and because the water stayed cool, we had tailing Bones all day. The photo is of John Savage and a good size Bonefish we caught on a recent trip in Biscayne Bay.
Good fishing, Capt. John Dickinson [email protected]
Target Species:
Bonefish Permit Tarpon Redfish Snook
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