Miami, Florida - Offshore

Capt. Mark Houghtaling
April 8, 2004
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report

Fishing Report April 8 2003

Cobia have been making a move offshore the Miami coast. The Magic Fingers found a Leatherback turtle moving south in the Gulf Stream and it was loaded with big cobia. We caught one fish that weighed 60 lbs and another that weighed in at 46 lbs. The smaller fish had a tag on him. He was tagged 333 days prior off of Pensacola Florida and we caught him off Miami. He grew only 4 ½ inches.

Other fish beginning to make a showing are larger blackfin tuna. These fish have been hitting the live baits flown from kites and they have been anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds. Look for this action to continue into May.

Sailfishing has fallen off the charts. The Miami Billfish Tournament was a disgrace. Very few fish were caught. Usually this time of the year there are record numbers of sailfish being caught, but this year is a bust. I don’t know if the season for sails is over or maybe they are just late and the best is yet to come. Stay tuned.

Dolphin fishing is fair and getting better. Anglers will find fish one day and they will be gone the next. As predicted larger fish are starting to show up and this will continue into the peak of the season. They are finding more fish to the south of us off of the Florida Keys. It won’t be long until these fish will be here off of Miami.

Bottom fishing hasn’t been bad. When we spend a day fishing for Grouper and Snapper we always manage to catch a few of each. Some days are better than others along with a few Amberjack.

All in all I would say spring fishing is coming along and should get better each week until the summer heat arrives. The only disappointment is the sailfishing which could make a turnaround any day.

Good Luck!

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