Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report - February 2009
Capt. David Ide
February 21, 2009
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Lady Pamela II Sportfishing Charters
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
www.ladypamela2.com
954-761-8045
Wind was our enemy for most of January and the beginning of February, but it has layed down since. With cold fronts passing through one after another in South Florida (40 degrees is brutal for us locals!), seas get a little choppy and the wind tends to linger, but the fish love it, especially the Atlantic Sailfish. For a majority of January, it was hit or miss on the sailfish bite, however, conditions have picked up with a nice recovery. February has been good to us here in Fort Lauderdale.
On February 5 - 8, the 44th annual Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament took place right here in our own backyard. The Lady Pamela II crew fished aboard the Advanced Roofing Fishing Team, a 39' Sea Vee. Seas were like a washing machine, but sailfishing conditions were perfect. The first day of the tournament we headed out of Port Everglades bright and early. After several days of pre-fishing, we were ready to go. We ran to Palm Beach, catching a total of two sailfish, leaving Advanced Roofing at the bottom of the list. We didn't let that bring us down, though. Day two approached up quickly; we were exhausted, but ready to actually catch some fish. We ran to Miami Beach, set up and caught a total of five fish on the kites. We walked away happy campers, winning a daily Calcutta.
Trolling has been extremely productive over the past few weeks. There's been several takers on King Mackerels in the 5-10 lb range. Planner boards, fresh bonito strips and blue/white sea witches does the trick in 60-110 ft of water. Not only does this produce Kingfish, the Blackfin Tuna get turned on, too. In the first week of February, we were catching some of the biggest Blackfin Tuna offshore, weighing anywhere from 25-35 lbs. That's a tough fighting, good eating fish right there.
With rippin north current and a full moon, the fastest fish in the ocean, the Wahoo, will eat. The Wahoo bite has been consistent in anywhere from 180-300 ft of blue water. On February 4th, Captain Paul and his anglers landed a 45 lb'er just a few miles offshore. A few of my buddies that commercial fish locally have been catching Wahoo's in the 60 lb range. These are big fish were talking about, they put up a great fight and they are absolutely gorgeous.
Bottom fishing has made a 360 within the past two weeks with some giant fish showing up for their annual migration to warmer waters. The Lady Pamela II has seen a gradual increase in Mutton Snappers on the wrecks along with Amberjacks and big Black Groupers that will eat almost any bait you properly present at there door step. These big jacks linger around the several artificial wrecks Fort Lauderdale houses, so be prepared to put your game face on, Amberjacks put up one hell of a fight.
Daytime Swordfishing is a recent trend off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. The Broadbill Swordfish is primarily a night feeder, but it seems as if fishing for the Gladiator of the Sea during the day is only producing bigger fish. Last Friday, the Lady Pamela II ventured off into fertile grounds with dead squid rigged and ready to go. We got a great bite, landing a 175 lb'er on rod and reel.
As spring time approaches, we are keeping an eye out for Game Sharks as they move through our waters here in South Florida.
Let's get out there and chase some of the greatest game fish on earth, right here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Check out our daily Captain's Log to keep you caught up on what's biting offshore Fort Lauderdale
http://www.ladypamela2.com/...bin/forum/gforum.cgi
Tight Lines!
Captain David Ide
www.ladypamela2.com
954-761-8045
Target Species:
dolphin (mahi-mahi), grouper, snapper, wahoo, marlin, swordfish, sailfish, tuna, barracuda, game sharks
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