Mahi Madness In March
Capt. Steve Souther
March 27, 2014
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fort Lauderdale's time table for fishing has been a bit off this year. While everyone up north are freezing or shoveling, we in the south have been experiencing warmer weather than normal. The Sailfish that were due in January and February came through in a very spotty migration but things are changing as the last few days have shown and in a good way.
We had Sergio, his brother Fabio, another brother and friend whose names I can't even begin to spell, much less pronounce. LOL The chatter changed from English to Italian frequently as the visitor from Italy didn't speak much English. It was a sunny, breeze day with east winds for some kite fishing but first a little trolling.
We began trolling and our first bite came quickly right by the sea buoy, a strong hit that tore line off one of the deep rods. A second big run came and this kind of bite usually nets a big Wahoo or Kingfish. Well, it was a King but not a big one. As a matter of fact, it was only about an 8 pounder and just half of that when we got him to the boat. Something big had eaten half our fish. A Barracuda or maybe a shark is the most likely culprit bit we'll never know. A few other hits and boating a King brought cheers from our group on successfully landing the entire fish.
We switched to kite fishing with the purchased live bait, Fabio as an avid fisherman and Sailfish had eluded him, it was his hope and dream. It hadn't been red hot for Sails but a few have been around. We even raised one, a window shopper, looking but not biting. He was there and gone in a flash.
Mahi-mahi is the Hawaiian name for the fish Dolphin, also known as El Dorado. According to Wikipedia, Mahi-mahi means very strong which suits this fish well. Even small Dolphin can give quite a fight on hook and line. A bite came fast and furious, a Mahi had swam into our baits and eaten one… While Justin hooked that one, another ate the long bait on the side and with 2 mid-teens fish on, the fun began with our English/ Italian language barrier.
Mahi's swim and jump erratically constantly crossing the lines. You have to move around, under this rod or over to the left to keep the lines untangled. And both fish were within a few feet of each other, coming to the boat at the same time. As they approached, another follower was with them but we didn't have time to pitch him a bait. With both fish finally boated and safely in our fishbox, that 3rd fish ate one of the remaining baits in the kite. A bit easier with just one on and we worked the fish to the boat and got him into the box as well.
That's the great thing about kite fishing, while truly the best for Sailfishing, anything can and will eat those baits. Our group was quite pleased with their bounty as our time was up and we headed home.
Back at the dock we snapped pictures. Sergio had gotten over his sea sickness; he predicted he would get sick… Fabio was already making plans to return with friends this week in search of that sail he wants and us? We'll be here, ready and waiting to go again. And looking forward to it.
Capt. Steve Souther
Fort Lauderdale Off Shore Fishing Charters
www.fanntasticfishing.com
(954) 728-9880
Target Species:
Sailfish, Shark, Swordfish, Wahoo, Mahi-mahi, Tuna, Barracuda and more...
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