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Miami, Florida - Offshore
Capt. Mark Houghtaling
April 17, 2000
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
A nice mixed bag of fish is occurring offshore right now! Fishing has been
easy, just pick your target and go fishing. Dolphin are showing up each week
in ever increasing numbers. You can find them along the edge of the Gulf
Stream, or you can venture offshore and find them as far out as twenty miles.
Keep an eye on soaring Frigate Birds. They will be a sure sign of possibly
bigger Dolphin. When the winds have been out of the easterly quadrants, the
fish have been easier to find on patches of weed that have been building
offshore. However, this time of year we may encounter days of westerly
winds which will break up the weeds and subsequently spread the Dolphin
thin.
Kingfishing has been good to excellent. To the north off Haulover, the
Kingfishing has been excellent. That’s not to say the Kingfishing is not good
everywhere else. Just about anywhere along the reef you can encounter 15 to
20 pound Kings, especially in the morning. Live bait has been producing the
most hits.
Sailfish are still plentiful, with many captains observing Sailfish free-jumping
along the edge. This may be something they are during during mating , which
many people feel they are doing this time of year. If you do encounter a
free-jumping Sailfish, they will take a live bait cast in front of them. It is not
true that a free-jumping Sailfish will not take a bait. They readily take
live-baits, if the are not spooked while doing so. Many captains observed
“pods” of Sailfish rising up under baits flown form the kites this past
weekend. We are nearing the end of our Sailfish season, so take advantage
of this great fishing we have available to us now. It’s not going to last much
longer.
Mutton Snapper action has been heating up off Key Largo. From Pacfic Reef
to Molasses Reef, anglers fishing their “secret spots” have been loading up on
Muttons. Most have been using live bait, but a jig and Ballyho is an excellent
rig. I would target depths from 100 to 240 feet of water. Remember the legal
size limit for a Mutton Snapper is 16 inches.
April 30th is the date for this years, David and Mary Alper Grand Dolphin
Fishing Tournament. There will be $5500 in prize money. $ 300.00 entry fee
per boat. Weigh-in will be at the Jewish Community Center on 11155 SW
112 Ave in south Dade. For more information call 305-271-9000 ext 241.
Professional captains are welcome
On Thursday nights, from 7pm to 8pm, at the Old Cutler Raw Bar, South Dixie Highway
and SW 184 Street, come listen to “Fishing South Florida Style”. This is an hour long
live radio show hosted by Mike Pace, Captain Rob Fordyce, Captain Marty Locke, and
Captain Mark Houghtaling. Offshore and inshore fishing topics are covered during the
live radio broadcast, and you can pick up a few tips from the radio hosts after the show.
You can also catch the show on Thunder Country 100.3 FM.
More Fishing Reports:
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