Look at that!
October is usually a transitional month when it comes to fishing and weather patterns. Typically cooler mornings with low humidity and fish paterns change. However, this year the changes have been late to come and all are still waiting – knowing that fishing has to pick up eventually! I think we should call it Hotober this year and not October because of the record heat and light winds we have been encountering. Many think of light wind with calm slick water for best fishing conditions, but for me it’s usually the opposite. I like a bit of wind to get the fish active, moving and feeding.
Offshore:
I was able to get a fishing report from Jimbo Thomas on the Thomas Flyer from Miami’s Bayside in Downtown. Jimbo tells me that although the fishing has not been spectacular there has been some action on dolphin. The 800′ depth right out in front of Goverment Cut has had frigate birds flying over some schools of dolphin. On days when the current has been strong some kingfish have been caught in the 80′to 120′depths. These kings are averaging from 8# to 15#. The wrecks out front of Key Biscayne have been holding some amberjacks with a mix of muttons when you can get the baits past the Aj’s. The Aj’s are averaging 15# to 30#s.
Inshore (North Biscayne Bay):
Trout fishing remains good in the area north of Julia Tuttle on the east side of the adjacent flats. The Flagler Memorial Monument area has been holding some trout also. Look for current and rips on the southeast side of monument and this should get you in to some action. Remember to fish edges and drop-offs early and late in the day for biggest fish and best results.
Inshore (South Biscayne Bay):
Nighttime bridge tarpon fishing has been good for the last week with fish up to 70# being caught. The Mac Arthur Causway, and the Rickenbacker have been producing. Small ladyfish have been in the mix with these tarpon. The tarpon have been feeding on finger mullet and needlefish that hang out near the bridge lights. Also if you catch a small lady fish you can put it out for a tarpon to munch on with heavy spin or conventional. J.C.Chamizo a friend of mine, landed his first tarpon on fly last week while fishing the shadow lines. Congratulations J.C!
It's a good day.
The bonefishing in south bay has been a bit on the slow side. During the last full moon period last week, I was struggling finding bones early in the morning. It was not until the late afternoon outgoing tides that bonefishing got active. I had two or three days of very slow bonefishing so we resorted to permit fishing. Although not very big, we did find some groups of 5 to 10 permit on the hard ocean type bottoms on the ragged keys area. Thats where most of the action seemed to be last week. I had Frank Pena out with guest Terry Roney from North Carolina last week and we went 2 for 4 on permit and caught 1 bonefish. I have to commend these guys for sticking it out with a very slow morning in record heat temperatures. The afternoon picked up with good tides a bit of wind and good permit fishing. Thanks Frank and Terry for not giving up on me!
