Fort Lauderdale, FL - Offshore
Capt. David Ide
January 8, 2003
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Sailfish and Swordfish
Well the cold weather is here and the Sailfish have shown up.
Yesterday, we went to the area off the Steeple in North Fort Lauderdale. We set up in 135’ of water. The water was Blue and the current was going to the North. What great conditions for the Sailfish to show up.
The first bait in the kite was a google eye. As the mate was trying to get the second bait rigged, I saw a splash where the first bait was. The mate threw the bait back into the bait well and had the angler drop back to the fish that ate the only bait we had out.
When the angler set up, we got to see our first Sailfish of the day start to jump. After a 10 minute fight on 20 lb tackle, we released our first Sail.
We got the complete spread out (2 kites with 4 baits) and waited 45 minutes before we hooked a double header. We released those two and missed one more before we had to head home.
On January 2, 2003 we headed out Swordfishing. We put two lures out while steaming to the Swordfish area and caught a nice Wahoo.
We set up in 1200’ of water straight off of Ft. Lauderdale. Within 15 minutes we caught the first Swordfish of 2003. We released the 50 lb. Swordfish and put the baits back out. We got another bite and missed it. At 10 pm the clicker was going off on the 200’ bait. We set up and caught and released another fish about 50 lbs. 2 for 3 and on our way home by 10:30 pm.
The Sharks have been around too. Don & Leo Biggott of Chicago went out with us last week. Leo, 11 years old, caught a 100” 300 lb. Hammerhead Shark. (See the pictures on our Photo Gallery at www.Ladypamela2.com)
The fish are here, where are you!
Catch-em-up,
Captain Kunta
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