A Long Overdue Fishing Update
Capt. Bouncer Smith
July 8, 2014
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
The last 6 months of fishing
We have had a lot of challenges to keeping up with our posting of fishing reports, and I apologize for this failing to my followers.
It has been an exciting time for us. In February I was inducted into the International Game Fish Association's "Legendary Captains and Crews". This is a group of only 22 people who have impacted sport fishing in a major positive way. Thank you to all involved.
Then in April we took first place in the Yamaha/Contender Miami Billfish Tournament. We caught 15 sailfish in two days, but had to disqualify one as the rod was in the hands of a non-registered crew member's when the fish bit. David Barkus and Jorge De Cardenas were the anglers and Abie, Billy and Josh were the crew. Jorge took top angler honors for the tournament and Abie was top mate. Everybody on board
Bouncer's Dusky 33 was top notch through this event.
We caught some 300 and 400 pound swordfish this season as well as some swordfish around 100 to 150 pounds. Mahi fishing has been great this season. Tarpon fishing was better than expected with 3 dredges working Government Cut.
We caught plenty of big blackfin tuna in May and early June. But none compared to George Poveromo's 42 pound monster we caught while filming a show for next winter.
We caught some real nice grouper during the closed season. They were all released in apparent good condition. Then the season opened and we could not catch one for over a month. Bandar and his friends caught the first through third grouper. 3 big gag grouper made his day.
Mutton snapper were playing the same disappearing game for a while, but we caught 7 on our last day of local fishing.
We have gone to Bimini twice this year. The first trip was with Rick, his son and two buddies. they caught big horse eye jacks, huge amberjacks, sharks, snappers, a cobia and a bunch of barracudas. Two of those barracudas were returned to the see sporting satellite tags worth $4000 each. We have to wait a few weeks to learn of their travels. If you ever find a small turkey baster looking devise with a wire sticking out the end at sea or on the beach, these tags are worth big rewards.
Our second trip to Bimini was for the Guy Harvey Outpost, Bimini Sands, Burning Marlin event. This was a 3 day party, with pool parties, two bonfires, tournament and lots of fun. The group that put this together hit every mark.They had sky divers, 2) 30 foot burning marlin bonfires and an action packed tournament.
We fished with David East and his guest on Thursday. They caught an assortment of bottom fish, highlighted by some beautiful queen snappers.
Friday was a warmup and get a to know you trip with Rick, Victor, our 6 year old tournament angler and our photographer Mercy. We did some trolling and live baiting for billfish, caught a bunch of yellowtail snappers and failed in a search for mahi.
This got us ready for the tournament Saturday. We started targeting bonefish. We found them, got one bite and then they were gone. We then hit a wreck for assorted reef action. It was hot action. Victor caught 10 barracudas, 10 snappers, 9 huge blue runners, 2 remoras, a chub a grunt and 7 big ocean tallys. We moved on to the offshore category. On the reef Victor caught 10 cero mackerel, a 25 pound amberjack, a 15 pound almaco jack and 2 bonito. All these fish were released for a total of 226 release points.
Final score Top Offshore Angler, Victor, Top Reef Angler Victor, Top Overall Angler,
Victor, Top Overall Boat, Bouncer's Dusky 33.
Miami Fishing Forecast:
With the heat of summer look for catch and release snook. Treat them like mothers carrying the future of the sport. Snappers of all species will be very active. Swordfish will be available offshore. Drink lots of water
Target Species:
snapper, swordfish and snook
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