Rods are Bending!, Saltwater Fishing Report

011911

I am with Tom, Paul and Bob today out of Haulover marina in North Miami Beach. We started out by netting Pilchards after a couple of throws of the cast net we were on our way. We ran to Government Cut and right of the bat we had a couple Groupers. The Tarpon were rolling all over the place but we were under a full moon and they probably ate all night because they weren't interested today. We caught Mackerels under the diving birds, all we wanted. I finally said let's go do something else, we ran outside of the cut and caught allot of Groupers 2 at a time. The tarpon were still rolling and we were dropping on there heads but no bites. We chummed with the remaining Pilchards and got into some serious Mackerel action after 25 more we called it a day.

012111

I am fishing with outdoor writer Jan Maizler and Captain Ken Collette today doing a story on Biscayne bay and government Cut. We started out a couple throws with cast net and the live well if full. These trips are different because of the time it takes to take pictures. Its not right back to casting and catching another one! Jan was interested in the bird activity I had written about, luckily they were active and the Mackerels were thick. We had to catch 15 or so in impressive time. We moved on in hope of really bending the rods and we did! Kenny got hooked up on a jig with a Gulp Shrimp and it pulled like a big Grouper, when it came up it was a 5 lb. Hog Snapper. There was probably no fish he would of liked to catch more than that one, this was his dinner! We had just had a conversation about Hog Snappers and how I had released a couple this week. Jan was next with a Gag Grouper and then a couple Reds, We caught a little bit of eveyrthing and stayed busy. Jan wanted some other photo's so we ran inside and chummed the bridges trying to get a Snook unfortunately the Jacks were to thick. I tossed a couple handfuls of Pilchards and the surface turned white Jacks crashing the bait. We caught 20 or so and Jan sat down ,I think he was excited and tired. This is how I like to end the day.

012211

I am with Keith O'Donnell today, he is here from Luxsenberg. We left the dock and it was a bitter 38 degrees, my hands and face were frozen on the ride out. We made a short ride out to a little island and got a couple quick Snook bites and landed one. We bounced around all day with very few bites, we had 3 Snook by 1 o'clock. It warmed up and the wind switched all around the same time
that's when the bite turned on! The little guys started to bite and hit the Twitch n Rap" Keith said they are better than no bites at all. That's when he got a big hit, the Snook ran 30 feet and changed directions and ran again. Keith did a good job and landed the 38 inch 13 lb. Snook 5 minutes later. We took some photo's of a great Snook and got back to fishing. Keith fished 8 hours and only drank some water, it's probably because I made him throws his banana's away. He is a die hard, he has fished Siberia and Iceland so that explains it all. It was getting late but he was still casting when it happened again, he was hooked up to another big Snook. This one looked bigger but ended up being 36 inches and 11 1/2 lbs. a great fish! I said that's a good way to end it and headed back to the dock!


012711

I am at Flamingo with Ed and Mark today, they are from Idaho. They are both true outdoors men from the great north west and have never fished down here. I was out to show them what we have to offer, we left the dock and it was cold again today. The temperature in my car was 47 degrees when I got out. I hit a couple close spots in Whitewater Bay with no success. I ran to the northeast area of the bay to get out of the wind. We got into a good bite of Ladyfish, Jacks and Trout, they were amazed at how hard Ladyfish and Jacks fight. I told them we needed sun and warmth and maybe we could get the Snook to bite. Mark hooked a couple Smaller Snook and then a keeper size Snook, Mark had Ed down by 4 fish. There was a little ribbing about it! Ed finally got on the board and took the lead, he had the biggest Snook at 30 inches. They just couldn't get over the power and fight of the Ladyfish so we spent the rest of the day catching Trout, Jacks and Ladyfish. These guys catch allot of Walleyes so a 2 -3 lb Ladyfish is a big fighter in comparison. They were happy 30 Ladyfish, 20 Snook a bunch of Trout to 20 inches and Jack Crevalles.

About the Author:

Captain's Bio: Light tackle sport fishing has been the thing that has driven me for the last 30 years. I have built a reputation for Tarpon from small to giant but I also fish for everthing thats swims. Miami Beach offers year round Tarpon and Snook fishing and I spend over 100 days a year fishing Flamingo which is in Everglades National Park . Flamingo is the saltwater side of the Everglades where we catch Tarpon, Snook Redfish, Trout, Sharks and more! I run a Pathfinder 22 ft Bayboat powered by Yamaha 250 S.H.O. I can handle up to 4 people. See my website for more info!