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Miami, Florida - Offshore
Capt. Mark Houghtaling
April 9, 2001
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
Record numbers of Sailfish were caught during the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish
Tournament last week and there’s no doubt that this action should continue for the next
couple of weeks. Beautiful, deep blue, Gulf Stream water pushed along the edge of the
reef and produced almost perfect Sailfishing conditions during the tournament. Along
with a steady fifteen knot breeze, to keep the kites flying, and a good chop on the water
to keep the fish awake, anglers couldn’t have asked for better Sailfishing weather. In
addition to the Sailfish, during the first day of fishing, fisherman were complaining about
being plagued with persistent Kingfish attacks on their $100.00 per dozen Sailfish baits.
The area south of Government Cut was teaming with large twenty to thirty pound
Kingfish. If you drifted in too shallow with your baits, it didn’t take long for one of these
big Kings to launch an aerial attack on your helpless bait. On the second and third day of
the tournament they more or less disappeared. They may have been just passing through,
however, the effects of last weeks full moon may have been the culprit and they may still
be out there. This week will tell all. Blackfin Tuna are beginning to show up off Key
Biscayne and Miami Beach. Hefty twenty-five to thirty pound Tuna were caught during
the Tournament. Blackfin Tuna commonly show up in our area this time of the year.
Fishing live baits will work best, but anglers trolling with feathers should catch their
share of fish. Very few Dolphin were caught during the tournament, however, this may
have been because few anglers were putting much effort into catching them. I found a
pallet floating near the edge and it did have quite a few schoolies lying beneath it but we
left them in search of Sailfish. Any day from now through June could find awesome
Dolphin fishing. I don’t think there is a better time of the year to fish here in South
Florida. The variety and the size of the fish is the best around. Fish are active both
offshore and inshore. Get out and enjoy it.
The Dave and Mary Alper JCC’s 4th Annual Grand Dolphin Fishing Tournament will be
held Sunday, May 6th, 2001. $5500.00 Cash Prizes Guaranteed and a $10,000 Bonus to
break the State of Florida Dolphin weight record. Lines in at 7:00 am with a weigh-in
deadline of 5:30 p.m.. Boats can launch from any location. There will be a fish fry
starting a 5:30 p.m. at the Alper JCC at 11155 SW 112 Avenue. Entry fee is $300.00 per
boat with the proceeds to benefit the JCC Youth Scholarship and Sports Program. For
more information call Danny Berry at 305-271-9000 ext. 241.
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