Great Spring/Summer Fishing
Capt. Ryan McBride
May 17, 2009
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Its been a few weeks since my last report, but the fishing hasn't taken a break. We are now in prime time to catch everyfish that swims off the south florida coast. Blackfin Tunas have shown up in full force starting a week and a half ago and have been here to stay. Most fish are in the 25-30lb. range with a few bombers up to 36lbs. caught. We have been targeting the blackfins north of Boca Inlet with kites and flat lines. When the fish haven't been active off live bait we have been able to catch a bunch midday on the chunk.
With a good east wind the reef has been covered up with big dolphin. Again they have been eating live bait and most of the fish are in the 12-30lb range. We have caught them all over the reef from Fort Lauderdale to Jupiter in 40-300ft. of water. A few sailfish still remain, some resident fish some making there way north. Best bet has been to work the normal reef areas and hope a pod comes through on their way north.
The main body of big kingfish has made there way north and we have been doing best from palm beach inlet north for the bigger fish. Fish in the 30-40lb. range have been common with a few 50's caught every day. The smaller kings in the 10-20lb range are still spread out everywhere and have been very cooperative on the kite and downriggers when the wind dies.
We have caught a few cobias off the wrecks and I have heard of a few coming up on kites and flatlines but the main body of cobs has long left for northern waters. If you know of some deeper wrecks you can try to target them with pinfish if the AJs will let the baits drop past. The snappers are starting to show up in numbers we caught a few bigger muttons on the last moon and the next couple full moons should bring them out in normal spawning numbers.
Also a few wahoos have been caught in the last week, most of the fish being on the small side. On the other side the yellowfin tunas have shown up in good numbers. Both the corner and Northwest Channel are holding numbers of tunas in the 30-100lb. range. These fish can be targeted on our extended day trips and also multiple day bahamas trips.
Give us a call if you would like to get out...you have a really good shot at kings, tunas, dolphin, sailfish and others if the conditions are right.
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