Mahi-Mahi Massacre- Offshore Fishing in Fort Lauderdale
Capt. Paul Roydhouse
November 12, 2008
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
The first cold front of the winter season has come and gone, and the sailfish season started off with a big bang. Our sportfishing boats had a great couple of days on the water over the last weekend when temperatures dipped down into the mid 60's. Don't laugh, that's cold for us Floridians! Sailfish were caught in good numbers over the few days of chilly weather. Most of the charter boats have been catching at least 1 or 2 sailfish per trip, which made for some very happy anglers this week. Many of the sailfish were caught trolling with artificial and rigged baits, rather than the more usual method of live baiting with outriggers and kites. The sailfishing will most likely taper down a bit after the cold weather passes, but we expect a lot of good sailfish action throughout the winter.
Mahi-mahi have been hitting the docks in good numbers as well. Lots of schoolie sized 4-8 pounders, with a couple bigger ones here and there. Offshore, we've been finding a lot of different stuff floating out there. I think a lot of the debris is from the Tropical Storms that have hit areas to the south of us. The Gulf Stream current is slowly conveys these floating objects to the north. As it drifts in our directions, lots of small baitfish and then bigger game fish will find it and make it their home. A few weeks later, when we find it floating out there, tons of mahi-mahi, wahoo, small tuna, and even sometimes sharks and marlin are swimming around it. It's a Fishing Oasis!
Our sportfishing boats had a few really great trips this week by going way out offshore. I always tell my customers that you can be a "hero or zero" whenever you're on an offshore charter. You definitely need some time to search out your fishing grounds when you're on an offshore fishing trip. But once you spot something to fish to, your trip is made. The summer months are usually the best time of year for dolphin fishing out of Fort Lauderdale, but oddly enough, the dolphin fishing has been much better for us in November than it was in August. I think a lot of fish may be showing up late for us this year.
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Forecast:
Fishing Forecast: I think the dolphin will hang late for us into the winter, based on their numbers hitting the dock right now. Sailfish should keep biting strong for the next few months and I really do believe it will be a banner year for us on sailfish. Sharks and bottom fish will be showing up around the shipwrecks this month, so watch for big amberjacks, groupers, and barracuda in the weeks to come. Looks like another good year for fishing. Sea ya on the water….
Target Species:
Mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, sailfish
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