 |
Fishing Report for Northern Miami-Dade County
Capt. Dave Kostyo
June 18, 2003
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
The tarpon are still hanging in there at Government Cut. Dolphin fishing has gone crazy offshore in the 10-13 mile range. So take your choice, both are well worth the effort.
Saturday evening (6/14) using live crabs, the tarpon action turned on at sunset. Till that time, we watched tarpon roll, but had no strikes. ESE/SE winds up to 18 mph had us using the sea anchor to slow our drift down. The fish were in the 40-60 pound range and we finished the evening catching and releasing all three (3) fish that we hooked.
Sunday evening (6/15), Chris Wilson and Rich Reeves from Boston, MA were enjoying a break from the weather back home. Chris wanted to check off a tarpon on the list of species that he wanted to catch. Once again the tarpon were rolling during the first three drifts that we made. Sunset, then dusk, and finally total darkness set in and the tarpon still were not cooperating. We kept making drifts in the area and it paid off. To say that Chris got more than he bargained for would be an understatement. The 60# tarpon fought like it was a 120# fish. It pulled us to the deep channel and then really taxed Chris. After a 45 minute struggle, we released the gallant fighter to thrill someone else on another day. As Chris put it, "I'll remember my first tarpon for as long as I live. What a great fight."
Monday (6/16) we had to search for the bait. We finally found it north of the Inlet and one throw of the net gave us all the bait we would need for the half day trip. Running offshore in search of dolphin in an ESE wind @ 14-16 mph had us taking some lumps; however, the end result was worth the effort. At 10 miles we started seeing large areas of scattered grass. At 12 miles the terns and a frigate bird showed us we were in the right area. The fish were moving fast, however, using dolphin juniors, we trolled up our first school of the morning. We got two fish from that group before they quickly disappeared. Finding more birds was quite easy and once again we trolled up two fish, catching one and pulling the hook on the other. This time, the school stayed with us for a while. After that attack, we decided we needed a few more fish so that all four anglers would have the same number of fillets. Another double hook up on the troll and the school that followed was still with us when we had caught enough. Before heading in, we emptied our livewell and watched the feeding frenzy that it caused. The four anglers each had a gallon Ziploc of fillets, heads to make stew, and big smiles on their faces as they smacked their lips in anticipation of fresh dolphin meals.
Tuesday (6/17) it was tarpon time again. Daniel Levy and his 10 year old son Alan were spending some quality time together doing what they both really enjoy. They had tarpon on their minds. On our first drift, we watched as a tarpon made two tremendous jumps just 50 feet from the boat. The forward rod started to bend over and before we could wind on the reel, the fish threw the hook. Occasionally a tarpon eats the bait and comes toward the boat. These are the hardest fish to keep on the hook. We set up another drift and went back into the waiting mode. And we waited and we waited and we watched a few other boats hook up and we waited some more. Finally, the stern rod got a hit. It was taking line and the hook pulled. Would the third strike be the one to hook up solid? The next drift saw the same rod get a strike and this time everything went as planned. Alan and his Dad were in a fight with a very feisty 50# tarpon. This one stayed on the south side and 15 minutes later, both Daniel and Alan were thrilled with seeing the fish at boat side. Several shots with the camera and the fish was released to thrill another angler on another day.
Weather permitting, we'll be back out tarpon fishing again this evening and dolphin fishing on Thursday. How much longer the tarpon fishing will be consistent is the big question. I'll keep you posted.
Captain Dave
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
