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Miami, Florida - Offshore
Capt. Mark Houghtaling
August 31, 2000
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
West and Southwesterly winds have shut down the Dolphin fishing this past
week. What few Dolphin were around, have virtually disappeared with the
backward breezes. However, when the winds turned around to the east and
southeast, anglers found occasional periods of excellent Dolphin action.
Look for schoolies mixed in with a few gaffers when you do find fish. If you
are lucky enough to encounter a good size piece of floatsom, your chances of
putting a few fish on ice will increase. You can still find fish under diving
Petrals and Frigates. Fisherman that have been finding Dolphin have been
locating them around the ten mile mark.
Sailfishing would certainly seem to be out of the question this time of the
year, but Captain Ray Rosher and Captain Quinton Dieterle have been
quietly reeling in the “snooters” this week. Captain Rosher found fish as far
out as 900 feet under Frigate birds and as close in as 90 feet, fishing live bait
along the edge of the reef. Dieterle found his fish along the edge while
fishing live baits from kites. They both reported strong Gulf Stream currents
and clean water along the dropoff. Captain Rosher found the Bonita’s to be
“a pain in butt.” He said that you would probably catch more fish if you
could keep the Bonita’s off your line. However, the Bonita’s do make
excellent action for light tackle and fly fisherman. Summer Kings have been
around early in the morning and are hitting live baits in the area of Key
Biscayne. Live bait is getting easier to find and you should have no trouble
finding Threadfins, cigars, and pilchards on the usual buoys and reefs. Fish
these live baits down deeper with a downrigger or extra weight to catch the
kings.
Bottom fishing has been fair. One angler complained of the current being to
strong for bottom fishing. Typically this time of year, offshore currents can
be very fast in the Gulf Stream making it difficult to keep a bait along the
bottom. Yellowtail action should be good along the reef and shallower
wrecks. Also, if you do fish the reefs, keep an eye out for Cero Mackerel
showing up in your chum line. They will favor depths of 90 to 30 feet of
water and can school up behind your boat when chumming for Yellowtail.
They will readily hit a live Pilchard tossed their way and they make for
excellent eating.
Snook season reopened September 1, and I have already heard of lots of
Snook being sighted inside of Government Cut. Snook will also be found
around the bridges of downtown Miami and the canals of South Dade.
Bob Hewes Boats is offering a free in the water demonstration for shallow
water fishing enthusiasts on September 16th and 17th at Haulover Park
Marina. For more information call 305-681-6602.
“Ladies Let’s Go Fishing” announces a seminar extravaganza in Islamorada,
Fl. Keys. This award-winning saltwater fishing seminar series for women,
hosted by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and
presented by Mercury Outboards, will be held on September 23and the 24th.
The weekend event offers a Friday evening welcome party at the Worldwide
Sportsman, seminar at the Lorelei on Saturday, and a full day of fishing out
of Whale Harbor on Sunday. The two day event teaches women the basic
fishing techniques at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. The
seminar concludes with a fish filet class. Marsha Bierman will be the keynote
speaker. For more information call Betty Bauman at 954-475-9068.
The first leg of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship Series will begin on
November 7th-11th at the Bimini Big Game Club in the Bahamas. Other
events will be held at the Lucayan Marina Village December 5-9, The
Walkers Cay Resort January 16-20,and The Abaco Beach Resort February
6-10th. These will be Wahoo only Tournaments. Fish three out of four days.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, in an effort to develop a wintertime
fisheries in the Bahamas, invites competitors to enjoy the warmth and
hospitality of the Bahamas Out Islands during the winter months. For more
information call 305-234-7386
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.
Captain Mark Houghtaling wants to hear from you. Send him your latest catches and
pictures to15920 SW 85 Ave. Miami, Fla. 33157, or E-Mail him at [email protected].
Capt Mark also has a charter fishing service ,you can call him at 305-253-1151 or check
out his web page at http://www.magicfin.com
For free safe boating and personal watercraft classes call the Coast Guard Auxiliary at
305-820-8411, or the United States Power Squadron at 305-238-4807
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