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Fishing Report for Northern Miami-Dade County
Capt. Dave Kostyo
April 4, 2004
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
It's been another whirl wind week. The wind was very cooperative till Wednesday when it switched to a westerly direction and has remained that way through Saturday. This usually means tough fishing conditions for all. Lets get to the day by day happenings.
Tuesday evening we experienced a dramatic slow down in the tarpon action. The wind was from the E/SE @ 6 - 10 MPH. We used both shrimp and crabs to catch 1 tarpon and 1 mangrove snapper. We tried the Bay, however, the tide was to far gone and the wind was pushing us against the tide.
Wednesday morning off the Haulover area, it was the dead sea. No current, green water, and no fish. Live baiting had the remora's and triggerfish molesting our baits. The sunny day and light wind from the south and then west were the highlight of the morning.
Wednesday evening, the wind made the switch to the WSW/W @ 17 - 27 MPH. Once again the tarpon were hard to come by. We caught and released a spanish mackerel and ladyfish before we finally hooked up with a tarpon using a crab for bait. It made a tremendous first run, dumping about 3/4's of the line off the reel. Tom was making good progress gaining the line back when it went slack. Our first thought was that the hook had pulled. When the line was reeled in we found out that the tarpon had cut off the leader in one of the many rock piles in the area.
Thursday morning the wind continued from the WSW/WNW @ 16 - 20 MPH. Our plan was to start with some tarpon fishing and then run offshore to catch a few kingfish. The tarpon were in their usual place and rolling on the south side of Government Cut. Putting out both crabs and shrimp had us making numerous drifts with 1 bluerunner as a result. We got our opportunity when the shrimp got eaten and the drag screamed. Before Steve could get to the rod, it was all over. We had experienced the same results as Wednesday evening, a cut off leader in a rock pile. Them tarpon seem like they are getting educated on how to release themselves. Meanwhile, a friend called and gave me a report that the kings were snapping straight out front of Government. Running inside, we quickly caught a few dozen pilchards and headed offshore. On the first drift, the deep rod produced a 3# bluerunner. The next drift nothing. Moving south a bit, we tried again and when we got out to 220' we had a school of small dolphin up to the boat. We caught and released 1 and played with the other before the half day trip came to an end.
Friday, I fished aboard Warrin Peace with owner Warren Blanck and team members Pam Marmin and her son Frank during the first day of the Yamaha/Contender Miami Billfish Tournament. We started just south of the Monument Buoy and fish from 100 - 170 feet. Nice blue water, however, there was no current. The wind was from the w/nnw @ 8 - 20 MPH. Frank drew the first hit and we released a sailfish. Then Pam caught a bonito. About an hour later, it was Frank again with his second sailfish. Meanwhile, Pam caught a nice dolphin for supper. Action died for us until we moved to just south of the Twins. We immediately got hit by some big bonitos. And finally, Frank caught a 10# kingfish that ate the GI on the kite. The two sailfish were good enough to put Frank in second place angler and the team in 5th place.
Saturday evening the tarpon turned back on. Wind of S/WNW @ 10 - 31 MPH had us using a sea anchor to slow our drift down. The tarpon definitely showed a preference for live crabs. Our first fish came late during the sundown bite period. The 100# tarpon took us to the Cut where we had to dodge a Cruise ship leaving the port. We got some good pictures and released the fish while Jose massaged his cramping muscles. Next drift it was Charles Humble's turn and he made quick work of a feisty 70# fish. Then the fish turned off on the outside, but it was time to go into the Bay. We set up and within 5 minutes, it was Jose on a very spirited 50# tarpon that took him around the boat several times. The next fish threw the hook on its first jump. A short time later, Charles had his hands full with a 40# tarpon that had him doing laps around the boat also. We ended the evening with 2 for 2 on the outside and 2 for 3 in the Bay. The fish outside ate crabs and in the Bay they ate shrimp.
Captain Dave
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