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Fishing Report for Northern Miami-Dade County
Capt. Dave Kostyo
February 16, 2004
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
Between the Miami International Boat Show and tarpon fishing in the evenings, I have been on the run since my last report. In general, the tarpon fishing has run the gamut from great to a struggle. One night, Haulover Inlet is hot, the next it is Government Cut, and on yet another, both Inlets are hot. There is no way of predicting with Inlet it will be, so flexibility and the willingness to run from one to the other will improve your chances of a successful night. The one constant is that live shrimp is the bait of choice.
On Wednesday evening (2/11), we got a late start due to a mix up on where we were supposed to meet. Our first drift was made well past the dusk period and resulted in no strikes due to grass getting on both baits. The next had us hooked up with the fish releasing itself on the third jump. Another drift and another strike. This time the fish dumped almost 3/4's of the 12# line off the Pflueger PFL 66 reel before we could get the other line reeled in. It ran north to the Inlet, then through the Inlet, across the flats area, across the Intracoastal, over to Oleta Park, and finally north along the park. The 100# tarpon never jumped once and never gave us a good opportunity to take its picture. We touched the leader to the rod tip numerous times, however, we were looking for some good pictures. The fish finally caught the line in a bottom obstruction and released itself. The next drift we put the 20# outfits out and hooked a 70# fish that was much more cooperative with smiling for the camera. Our last drift of the evening had us taking boat side jumping shots of a very feisty 50# tarpon.
Thursday evening (2/12) had us starting late again due to our groups being stuck in traffic while trying to get to the marina. Moments after putting out the baits, we were hooked up and after a spirited battle we released the 60# tarpon. Then the wind died and along with it the tarpon shut off. We caught 2 ladyfish and a mangrove snapper and searched up and down the beach for the tarpon. They were no where to be found. At Haulover Inlet, we got a double hook up of what we first thought were tarpon, however they turned out to be jack crevalles of 15 and 10 pounds.
Friday evening (2/13) we were faced with the same no wind conditions. Outside at Government Cut, we had no action. In the Bay, were had a fish on momentarily before the hook pulled. Back out to the main channel and we caught a 5# mangrove snapper. I tried the south side with no action. Back to the north side and before the boat settled into the slow drift, we were fighting a very lethargic 80# tarpon. It seemed to be content with just slugging it out along the bottom. After finally working the fish up toward the boat, it came to life and made several beautiful water clearing jumps and several dives under the boat. The fish smiled for the camera several times before we released it.
Saturday evening (2/14) it was back to Haulover Inlet. We once again hooked up on the first drift and released a nice 70# tarpon. Next drift we got a ladyfish. On the third drift, we got one jump from a tarpon and then the other rod got hit and didn't stay hooked up either. Every drift after that resulted in releasing a ladyfish. The tarpon seemed to have vacated the area. The evening ended with 1 for 3 tarpon and 6 ladyfish.
Starting tomorrow evening (2/17) I'll be back out tarpon fishing in the evenings and also doing several daytime trips offshore. I'll also be at the Bass Pro Shops Spring Classic on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I'm scheduled to do a sailfish/tarpon seminar at 10:00 AM on Sunday (2/22) morning. Come on by and learning about doing what I call the best of both worlds trip.
Monday (2/23) evening at 7:00 PM I'll be doing a tarpon seminar at the Miami Outboard Club.
Captain Dave
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