Fort Lauderdale, FL - Offshore

Capt. David Ide
January 8, 2004
Fort Lauderdale - Saltwater Fishing Report

Swordfish are really biting!

The Swordfishing has never been better.

Last Tuesday night we went out to 1100’ of water off Hollywood. We put out our 3 squids and a live Blue Runner. I saw 30 other boats around us. The radio was starting to go off with a bite here and a small fish released there.

My brother Skip got a late start and starting about the same time we did. When I called him on the Radio, he said he was fighting a double header. The radio was going off. Everyone was hooking up. We got our first bite at 8PM and put a nice 80 lb fish in the boat. The fish ate a Squid down 100’. About 10 minutes later the 150’ live bait got bit and we caught a 140 lb Sword after a great fight.

We got back to the dock at 11 PM what a great night. It sounded like everyone caught fish.

We were back out the next night and we hooked a nice fish. The fish was jumping and was all over the surface. After 15 minutes the fish was close enough to gaff. We thought the fish was less than 100 lbs. The mate stuck the fish with a straight gaff and the fish went ballistic. The gaff was pulled out of the mate’s hand and the fish took off. The line came tight and the fish was still connected to the rod and reel, but the gaff was lost. After another 15 minutes we had the fish close and this time we stuck the fish with a flying gaff and a hand gaff. We pulled the fish in the boat and realized we were off a little on our first estimate. The fish was about 180 lbs. and the fish did not like the feel of the deck. The fish went nuts again. Buckets, gaffs, anglers and crew were flying and running out of the cockpit. The fish beat up the salon doors and the fighting chair. After this display and beating, it was time to call it a night.

All week the boats that went out, reported 2 to 5 bites a night and fish up to 300 lbs were caught. We need nice weather to catch these fish and during these winter months, we only get a few nights to get out there.

On the reefs, trolling for King Mackerel has been slow with a few “throw back” Kings being caught. Live baiting for Kings has produced a few 20 lb. fish. A few Bonitos and Barracudas were biting too.

The Sailfish have been around, but not in numbers. You catch one or two one day and the next day none. With this weather that moved in today, it should get better.

Some Sharks and Amberjacks on the wrecks and the Mutton Snapper fishing has been decent.

Catch-em-up,

Captain Kunta

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