Ft Lauderdale Charter Fishing Sailfish
Capt. John Logan
February 20, 2012
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Charter fishing in Ft. Lauderdale began the New Year with some slow fishing and a deep cold front that passed through on the 2nd as we anticipate the arrival of Sailfish migrating through the area. Tuesday at sea was bitter cold as we fished John and the boys back for another visit to our boat. Poised with a well full of live bait, we waited, and waited… But to no avail. A sad trip, to say the least, with huge disappointment from both guests and crew.
The following day with fished Harold and his son Roland, the girls came along for good measure and immediately set up shop inside the warm and toasty cabin. With lows at the coast of low 40's, the high was to reach mid to high 60's. You just have to love that Florida sun.
We fished exactly as we had the day before, venturing off shore a bit looking for current or an edge to fish to and then back to the reef area trolling north. The radio cracked with the announcement of a Sailfish hooked by another boat and we had our first good strike of the day. A Sail appeared in our spread, knocked a bait down and then left with no bite. While this may seem not a great ending, it gave us hope and it wasn't long before another strike pulled a bait down. Again, a Sailfish was in our pattern, but he left the bait he had come for only to come across my high line and after a bit of cat and mouse, he was hooked and jumping.
I have to be honest in saying I am not used to guests that know how to fish. We take many people out that have never experienced fishing, much less big game fishing before. Within seconds of Rolland taking the rod, I knew no coaching was needed as he expertly and excellently handled the rod and the fish as we cleared our baits. I never had to move the boat other than keeping the back pointed at the fish and Rolland landed our first Sail for 2012 in tremendous form. I've included a picture before releasing the fish.
A few more reports of Sails being seen had us anxious to get the live baits out and we did just that shortly after the release. Fish were popping up here and there in different depths but we chose to stay close to the depth we caught and missed the first 2 of the day in.
It took a bit but we soon were feeding another Sail from the kite. Game on and Harold is just as good as Roland on the rod. Again this fish was brought to a dead boat, no assistance from me, in excellent form. He was released boat side and we set back up for the next.
The radio had quieted and things slowed down but we were not done. Another wait… Does this make me a professional waiter? Drifting deeper a third Sailfish appeared and it was time for Harold's sister, who had never held a rod or caught a fish before, to try her hand at this fishing thing.
With both Harold AND Rolland telling her what to do, I saw no reason to put my 2 cents in and we eventually released our third and last Sailfish for the day. While she was fighting the fish, I asked her to keep winding but look at me so I could take a picture of her in the fighting chair. She proved not all women can multi task and when she stopped winding to turn around, both her brother and nephew were screaming WIND! I guess that's what I sound like from the bridge some times.
Charter fishing for Sailfish in Ft. Lauderdale this time of year? It's starting to get good. It really is.
Target Species:
Sailfish, Shark, Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo Kingfish, Bonito, Barracuda, Swordfish Marlin and more...
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