Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Saltwater Fishing Report

Capt. Andy Roydhouse
February 17, 2000
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report

The inshore scene has remained much the same since my last report. Reason being is this is one mild winter. My long pants days are only up to 5 so far all winter.

The Tarpon are still hanging in the ICW around the 17th street bridge project. Most days I see them slapping the surface just north of the bridge in the center of the waterway. I'm not marking as many on the sonar unit as last month. The "hot canal" is a little slow since the water temp is still up there and the advantage to be in the canal isn't really needed. A few anglers I spoke to said the bite up the New River is still pretty decent.

This is the first winter I can remeber that the Pilchards didn't make a major appearance in the harbor. Since they are missing so is alot of the fish that would normally hunt them. Not to say they didn't pop up last night and will be there today. You never know when you will go out and find your sonar plastered with bait and predators. The bait fisherman are having a tough season also having to make the run to Miami to get the bait for us back in Fort Lauderdale.

Over the last few days The bottom fishing has been great. Lots of keeper yellowtail and mangrove snappers. The Sheephead are still in the inlet and we caught a Spanish Mac yesterday that was bigger than a few of our Kings. He ate a full size Gog in one bite so that tells you something. Check back for the latest. Sea Ya!

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