Miami, Florida - Offshore

Capt. Mark Houghtaling
February 18, 2002
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report

Terrific Sailfishing has been the main event off the coastal waters of Miami. Excited Sailfisherman have been registering multiple sailfish releases on a daily basis. Kite fishing is a must and catching live bait for the kites has been the only difficult part of the day. Bait fishing has been difficult. The usual spots for catching threadfins, pilchards and blue runners have not been producing. And, if you are fishing on the weekend, it has been almost impossible to find a decent supply of bait. Once you do find your bait it’s only necessary to find a good current, a little clean water and a good wind to fly your kites and your “gigged” out for a great day of sailfishing. There has been an absence of “other” fish. Very few dolphin and kingfish have been caught. A check of last year’s logbook showed a very active dolphin and kingfish season in February. I’m sure it will change over the next few weeks. Capt Bouncer Smith encountered a hungry Blue Marlin this week off the Monument Buoy. The fish hit live bait suspended off the kite. Bouncer’s client fought the fish for three hours before terminating the catch. Bouncer stated they were a little outclassed with the twenty-pound outfit they were using. Bouncer estimated the fish to be a little over 200 pounds.

Look for sailfishing to get even better over the next two months. A few of the ‘big dog” tournaments are coming up and it is expected that a very respectable amount of releases will be registered. Blackfin tuna will start to make their annual showing off our waters as well as an increased amount of dolphin.

“See you on the rip”

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