On the Road Again
Capt. Bouncer Smith
July 5, 2022
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
Another 2000 miles on the truck in June. I had some great times for sure.
I started this adventure in Melbourne having dinner with my good friend Adrian Gray and then we listened to Jason from Salt Strong educate us on slow pitch jigging. I learned a lot about that game. Thanks to Florida Sport Fishing Association for hosting this club meeting.
Next stop was R J Boyle Studio for the captain's meeting for the Gray Fishtag Swordfish Tagging Extravaganza.
Two days later we fished this event. 6 out of 9 boats caught swordfish, but not us. Last time we were heroes this time bums. 4 satellite tags were deployed!
The next day I rode to Islamorada with R J Boyle for Mission Fishin's annual Miss Islamorada adventure.
Nick Stanzyck and Boyle hosted 40 guests (challenged youth, their siblings and parents) to a fun fishing trip. Loads of fish and laughs were caught on a flat calm ocean.
Monday it was off to Flamingo in Everglades Nat'l Park at 3:30 in the morning with Ben Eskanazi. Our mission was for Bob Lemay to help Ben catch his first fish on fly. We caught 5 tarpon and 5 snook on fly and plug tackle. Ben succeed with a snook on fly.
Next game, slow pitch jigging and bottom fishing with Jim and Tom off Miami. We caught 3 grouper 7 to 14 pounds, a Cuda, a shark, a bonito and 4 amberjacks.
A long time client invited me to join him on the first fishing trip on a used boat he had bought. We had engine trouble, the trolling motor didn't work, the depth finder was intermittently working and we lost our fish. But, I got to spend the day with a great friend who was near death with cancer for a couple of years. He's doing much better now.
After an afternoon with my good buddy Ryder, my next trip was 2 nights of swordfish hunting. We caught a big night shark the first night. The second night we caught a nice tuna. Then just as we discussed calling the effort a failure, Capt Freddy David called from the stern that we had a bite. Billy Howell from Texas ran to the stern and caught a 80 pound swordfish. This completed his second billfish Royal slam.
August is a hot month. Lobster season gets in gear, so be extra diligent when running your boat to watch for divers.
The last few years the mahi fishing has been better in August through November. Let's hope that happens again. Wahoo should fire up in 100 to 300 feet of water. Mangrove and cubera snappers will be spawning and schooling on the reefs. And lastly skipjack tuna should show up offshore along with this mahi.
Drink lots of water and wear long sleeves and big hats.
Till next time, tight lines.
Capt. Bouncer Smith
305-439-2475
http://www.captbouncer.com
http://www.bouncersmithchronicles.com
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