Fishing Reports by Capt. Mark Houghtaling

Miami, Florida - Offshore - They’re comin’! Sailfish that is. A growing number of Sailfish are becoming evident off the Miami- Dade coast. Not a typical winter bite, but the first signs of sustained Sailfish action occurred off North Key Largo this weekend. The a more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - On the one hand I have been welcoming the recent blustery northeast winds. They create huge swells in the ocean that carry baitfish, followed by Sailfish, Dolphin, and Kings, and deposit them in our backyard. On the other hand the winds have been more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - Steady northeast winds have been bringing large schools of bait to the Miami area. This time of the year, larger gamefish will be following the schools of bait looking for an easy meal. Already, Sailfish and Kingfish are showing up in our area. Th more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - Heavy rains last week ruined offshore fishing for a while. Tremendous amounts of fresh water ran into the bay, and then over the reefs and then offshore, creating nasty green water out as far as 600 feet. Anglers that did get out after the rains f more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - Offshore fishing has slowed this past week. Only a few Dolphin were found offshore. The Sailfish bite was slow. The only encouraging action was the Kingfishing along the edge on the reef. A few anglers found “smoker kings” along the ed more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - Anglers are still finding Dolphin offshore, however, recently they have moved in a little closer to the reef. Fisherman trolling in 200 to 300 feet of water are catching the Dolphin on lures and rigged Ballyho. Mixed in with the Dolphin have been more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - A surprising number of Dolphin are still available offshore. Anglers hunting for floating debris are finding school size Dolphin under boards and the occasional bird. Petral birds are few and far between this time of the year. However, there have bee more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - During the past few weeks, a few anglers have been secretly heading offshore during the night to fish for Swordfish. During the late seventies and the early eighties it was not uncommon to encounter Swordfish longline boats with sets of lines ten more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - 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 occa more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami

Miami, Florida - Offshore - Offshore fishing is becoming more and more difficult each day. Dolphin have been harder and harder to find with only an exceptional day here and there. A few fish can be found on migrating birds and fish will be found on boards, but one day will b more...
Capt. Mark Houghtaling - Miami