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Miami and Key Biscayne – offshore
Capt. Quinton Dieterle
March 12, 2001
Key Biscayne - Saltwater Fishing Report
Dolphin Arrive Early
Just as the winds subsided and the seas calmed down, the summer time action began. This time of the year can be very slow fishing when a High-pressure system moves into the area and the winds drop down, this week that changed. The fishing offshore had been fantastic until mid-week, you could have walked on the Sailfish and a few Dolphin were starting to show up. Then the winds dropped off and most of us feared the worst, a south current and dirty water forced us to look else were for action. Working off the edge we located some grass lines and lots of Dolphin, the only problem was the fish were almost impossible to get to bite. The anglers that had small live baits were able to get some of the larger fish to eat, the full moon has been allowing them ample light to feed at night and there is plenty of small bait fish mixed in the grass offshore. The line has been around 4 to 5 hundred feet and moves in and out with the tide. Watch for birds circling the grass patches to locate the schools. You can try small strips of bonito or ballyhoo if you don’t have any small bait; jigs can also fool a few. The fish have been on the small side but should be nice size by late April when the fish move farther offshore and begin a southern migration.
The bottom fishing has also been getting better, with wrecks producing nice catches of Amberjack, which should be released this time of the year. They are spawning and are full of eggs. It is also the time of the year when the Mutton Snapper begin to bite on the wrecks at night and on the shallow wrecks in the daytime. It is a little early still, but I have had several reports of good catches south off Triumph reef. The muttons can be found anywhere from the shallow patch reefs in Hawk Channel to the ledges and Coral heads in 60 to 120 ft. of water. On the Shallow wrecks Chumming with Crawfish heads is deadly, and using ballyhoo plugs for bait works well. Live pilchards and pinfish are also my favorites.
Tarpon are still in the Cut and are being caught using live shrimp and crabs. The outgoing tide is best. Bouncing Jigs tipped with shrimp on the bottom work well too.
Outlook:
The next front that passes through should produce another Sailfish Derby and possibly turn on the Dolphin. The moon will be getting smaller this week and that always helps.
Live bait in the area of Government Cut is producing most of the bait for the Charter Boats and local fisherman. The Bug Light area slowed down this week with clear water in that area making the Threadfins a bit skittish. Captain Quinton Runs The Charter Boat Cutting Edge and would love to get you out fishing. He can be reached at 305-361-9740
Good Luck and Tight Lines
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