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Miami - Haulover to Fowey Light
Capt. Dean Panos
May 21, 2001
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
5/21/01
DOLPHIN!
For the past three weeks, every week has had its glamour fish. Without doubt, the dolphin (mahi-mahi) highlights last week. There was outstanding dolphin action all last week and well into the weekend. The limit is 10 per person and now a minimum size. With the exception of Sunday, limit catches were made all week long. The dolphin bite slowed a bit on Sunday, but picked right back up today. Most of the dolphin caught have been between 6 - 16 miles offshore, with 8 miles representing the majority of the fish. The dolphin have been found amongst the scattered weedlines. Working the weedlines with live baits and slow trolling live baits between the patches has worked well for us. Once you locate the school, they have been eating everything from jigs, chunk bait and live baits. The dolphin have not been huge, but the vast majority of them have been between 3 - 10 pounds, with a few 15 and 20 pounders thrown in.
This time of year it is easy to get carried away and catch way too many dolphin. Remember the limits and in all reality, keep what you are going to eat and release the rest. Dolphin can be released very easily. Small fish should and must be released. Dolphin grow very quickly in the first year. A one-year-old dolphin can easily get between 10 -20 pounds. Releasing the little fish now allows them to grow and spawn and also may produce an angler in the future with a much greater fight. Who knows, that angler may be you!
We also caught blackfin tuna and kingfish on the edge, mostly after coming in from offshore dolphin fishing. A few sailfish have been caught, but mostly to the south (Fowey Light Area). So after you catch your share of the dolphin, the afternoon bite on the reef can also be productive. Tarpon fishing at night has also been very productive, with most of the tarpon eating live crabs. The south side of the jetty of Gov't Cut seems to be holding the most tarpon, although one evening, there were many fish rolling on the North Side.
With a holiday weekend coming up. Go out and catch a few, release the rest, and stay courteous on the water - There are plenty of fish for everyone.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Capt. Dean Panos
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