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Fishing Report for Northern Miami-Dade County
Capt. Dave Kostyo
August 2, 2004
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
This past week, my fishing has taken me to St. Lucie Inlet for some catch and release snook fishing, a surprise birthday present dolphin fishing trip out of Haulover, and a vacation trip for a couple and their two friends. The dolphin fishing offshore requires some searching, however, they are out there from 8 - 25 miles and range in size from schoolies to fish over 30 pounds. The birds have been very helpful in putting us on fish, and there is a fair amount of wood, bamboo, and plastic tarps that are holding fish as well. Meanwhile, in on the reef there are plenty of the large (bomber) size bonito in the 90 - 105 foot range. Work out a bit deeper in the 120 - 150 foot range and there are some nice size kingfish being caught on deep baits.
Wednesday morning (7/28), Joe McGivern, Tom Mathias, and I fished at St. Lucie Inlet for snook. The first order of business was catching live bait. The cigar minnows at the marker were not being very cooperative, so we ran to the north and found a school of herring (greenies) and started loading Tom's livewell. With bait accomplished, it was off to several different known snook hangouts. The first location was already occupied by several boats, so we tried several other locations with no results. Back at the first location, one boat left and we were able to anchor and get started. At first the snook were slow to bite. Then they turned on for a bit and we caught and released several in the 24 - 28 inch class. Next, the big ones turned on and we caught and released several fish over 36 inches. Then it was back to the smaller ones and finally we ran out of bait. A half day went by very quickly and we were all very pleased with the morning's results.
Friday afternoon (7/30) Kim Gates gave her husband, Dave a surprise birthday present of a half day of dolphin fishing. Another surprise present was when both their parents flew in for the celebration. Running SE from Haulover, the search began. We worked a couple of scattered weedlines without success. At about 11 miles, the grass got heavier and then the birds showed up. While trolling the juniors toward a single bird that appeared to be over fish, we found a large plastic tarp at 14 miles. As the juniors passed by, each hooked up and Kim's dad, Joe and Dave's dad, Carl both grabbed the rods. One fish jumped off and the school followed the other hooked fish up to the boat. The dolphin frenzy began. Both Dad's caught their first dolphin and more. The schoolie size fish were just right for the evenings dolphin meal. With 8 fish in the box, the others took off for parts unknown. Back to searching, we found a flock of birds working an area and sticking with them for about 10 minutes of trolling in, around, and amongst them produced no strikes. More searching put us on several very promising looking weedlines loaded with bait fish. We caught 1 very small blackfin tuna that was released. On our way in, a free jumping sailfish got our attention and slow trolling livies couldn't get its attention. Back at Spinnaker Marina, Dave and I made quick work of filleting the dolphin. Kim I told you I had confidence in your keeping the surprise a secret. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dave.
Saturday (7/31) Dan and Karen Lemoine from Rhode Island along with their friends Chris Patt from Massachusetts and Kelly Kalhoefer from Texas included a day of fishing while on vacation. The day was started with buying some pilchards and then catching some herring in the Bay. With the livewell loaded, it was offshore to try for dolphin. Working several good looking lines on the way out once again like yesterday produced nothing. Working further offshore, at 18 miles we saw two frigate birds circling around two boats. Slow trolling a pilchard and a herring into the area got us almost instant action. Chris and Kelly had never caught or seen a school of dolphin before and were amazed by the site. Dan caught two dolphin on the same bait at the same time when his bait went through the gills of one dolphin and another ate the bait and got the hook. Kelly and Karen were both busy taking pictures and catching fish. By the time the fish moved on, we had caught 16 fish, keeping 10 and releasing 6. Wanting variety, it was back in to the reef and a ripping north current. Starting south of the Cuban Hole in 95 feet, our baits got the attention of two bonito within minutes. Chris thought he had the fish whipped very quickly and we all heard a loud groan when the fish took off on a sizzling long run and took out all the line that he had gained back so quickly. Working the area from about a 1/4 mile south of the Cuban Hole to the middle of the Anchorage area from 80 - 110 feet gave us action on every drift. The current was pushing us north at 4.1 MPH. Normally, I fish my bottom drift rig with a 1 pound weight. Today with the strong current, I used 2 pounds. The extra weight paid off when Chris caught 2 mutton snappers. Karen and Kelly fought a double header, Dan and Chris fought a double, and we lost one of a triple due to crossed lines. We caught 9 bonito, keeping 3 and releasing 6. Barracuda was next up. They weren't cooperating very well and once again a day of fishing went by much to quickly.
Captain Dave
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