Miami Beach Tarpon fishing
Capt. Jim Hobales
February 27, 2008
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
022208
Today I am with Anthony and his son Henry fishing the area in and around Government Gut. The conditions were nice but breezy as we did our first drift for Tarpon on the south beach side of the cut. The blue runners and Mackerel were in there but no Tarpon. Henry got a little quizy so we ran to more protected water. We fished around catching an assortment of Cuda's, Snappers and Trout. Anthony said more important than a big Tarpon was Henry caught fish and plenty of them.
02308
Colin and Tim flew in from a cold Chicago and wanted to catch everything that swims and more, I met them at the dock at Flamingo and we were on our way in to the back country. Tarpon is my first goal this time of year but while looking for them I fish a bunch of points in the area until I notice them. On our first stop Tim had a good hit which was a nice Redfish and then Colin stuck a fish which made a huge boil and then let go. After a couple Ladyfish we moved on looking for Tarpon in another area. The out going tide was very strong and I stopped at a spot where I told Colin cast right in there. Colin cast a Gulp sinking Minnow, it didn't' hit the water before a Goliath Grouper had it. It was a big one to because they battled back an forth until the Goliath finally nicked a tree and cut him off. We moved on to the open Gulf of Mexico where the Tarpon have been but they weren't as thick and only had a few rollers to cast at. We moved to another spot and there were more Tarpon for the guys to cast at. The Tarpon did not eat but we hooked plenty of other species, Groupers, Ladyfish, Jacks, Trout and a big Catfish, time to move again. We tried several thing but ended up on a shoreline that don't seem to let me down the big Mangrove Snappers, Snook, and Trout responded to our live Shrimp and Gulps. The winds were howling S.W. so a lot of areas we fished were right into the wind but still produced a fish or 2. It was getting late and we hit a couple of spots on the way in Snook Trout, Ladyfish,and big Mangroves responded to every cast for an hour, now it was time to head to the dock these guys were sun burnt and tired but could never ever catch enough. The wrote me a kind thank you letter letting me know they had a blast,this makes my day.
022408
I am fishing with Tom this morning in Government Cut, we are early 630 am and alone for a while. The Tarpon are rolling and the tide is just getting ready to switch, which usually produces a bite or 2. The Snappers, Groupers, Mackerels and Blue Runners ate but the Tarpon had lock jaw. Tom did catch a big Grouper which rocked him and then he did something he saw on T.V. to get it out. He was just happy it worked. He had until 1030 he had to get back to get on a cruise ship.
022408
(afternoon)
This trip only reminded me of why it's not a good idea to fish in and around Miami on Sunday's on a beautiful day. There was almost no protected water and although Mike from Nebraska was enjoying himself it was totally frustrating for me. We worked around the Cut for a couple of hours with out a strike and no the winds are starting to blow as well. I said let's go we run to some areas in the bay where we should be alone only to have a jet boat or jet ski run by. I had to get Mike a fish he had never caught a salt water fish, I love when guys tell me about Walleyes. We finally ended up in some canals where I started to live chum with Pilchards. I put a live bait out while Mike cast a plug,
all of a sudden the bail was ripped open by a screaming Jack Crevalle. Mike picked up the rod and fought the fish in front of a passing boat which just happened to be my friends. We landed the big Jack and he got compliments from every one on the fish. We continued to chum and catch fish until we ran out of bait, now Mike has an appreciation for the salt water fishes pulling power.
022508
This morning I am the camera boat on a movie set doing a running seen on the water filming the downtown Miami area pretty cool, a payday is a payday!
Brian flew in for business a day early to get some fishing in and we did, I met him at 12 PM and we
fished until 8 PM. I told Brian during the heat of the day the Tarpon bite might be slow but we should be able to catch plenty of other fish. Here's a list of the fish he caught Groupers, (Gags and Red), Yellowtails we found a area top to bottom loaded with keeper tails. Mackerels, Snappers, Amberjacks, Jack Crevalles, Triggerfish, Hog Snapper, Bonito's. The afternoon produced a ton of fish. The Tarpon Bite was slow with only one bite, the other boats didn't hooked up either.
The winds picked up and we called it day.
022608
I met Art and Vinny at the Dock and realized I was going to have a good day with these guys.
The tide was switching at 730 and I was really hoping for a big fish today they have not been playing much lately. The conditions were great calm and the tides starting to move 10 hours ago it was blowing 25 mph in this same spot. It didn't take long the Tarpon were rolling all around us and Vinny got a bite, the fish stayed down. After about 10 minutes I said it either a giant Tarpon or a big Permit, the Tarpon will jump unless they are "BIG". At 30 minutes into it I said this is a monster Permit, the fish was fighting straight up and down with 20 yard burst. At 40 minutes Vinny got tired and handed the rod to Art, I am not a fan of this! here is the reason for 40 minutes you have felt every move the fish has made and got a feel for it now you pass the rod to a new angler and the fish surges hard and breaks off. I don't know if it could of been prevented, I watched the surge and hit almost looked like a Shark might of got him. I spent the rest of the day wishing I would of seen that one, only because the big Permit have been in. The Tarpon didn't bite again today luckily the weather is changing tomorrow. Art and Vinny did catch Dog Snapper, Hog Snapper, Mangrove Snappers, Jacks, Blue Runners, Red Grouper and Gag Groupers and I treated them to a little place called Jimbo's on Virginia Key.
Let's go catch'em
Captain Jimbo
305 333-8149
Miami Fishing Forecast:
Cold front coming in on 022708 and it going to get us back into winter should turn fish on.
More Fishing Reports:
