Fall Fishing in Miami Has Been Great
Miami Fall Fishing Report continues to be GEAT. Fishing off Miami and Miami Beach is getting better and better as the days move us closer to the winter months. Sailfish fishing on the deep reef continues to be excellent. We are catching Sailfish while trolling rigged Ballyhoo and fresh Bonita strips. Slow trolling with live small “bullets” bonita or kite fishing with live Blue Runners or Thread Herring has also been very productive.
Mahi Mahi Getting Closer to the Edge of the Deeper Reef
As the Fall weather begins to pull the water temperature down, Mahi Mahi also known as Dolphin Fish migrate close to the edge of the deep reef. This past week were were finding groups of “Gaffer” sized Dolphin in as shadow as 90 foot of water out to about 500 foot of water. Off Miami and Miami Beach that is from about one mile off the beach to about two and a half miles off the beach. Birds have been the key to finding the Mahi Mahi. Frigate birds and small groups of Turns are the best at pointing out the Dolphin Fish. Either trolling a spread of rigged Ballyhoo and feather and small lure combinations have been very productive. We will also try to spot the fish moving through the water and cast small live Blue Runners at the individual fish. Both techniques have been productive.
Skipjack Tuna Bite & Kingfish are on the Move
Mixed in between the Sailfish and the Mahi Mahi have been quite a few Skipjack Tuna. The Tunas have also been under the birds, especially the Turns. Trolling small feathers have been the most productive method of catching the tunas. Add in a “bird” teaser in front of the feathers and you have just stepped up your game.
Kingfish have also been migrating through our area in as shallow as 40′ of water and out as deep as 200′ of water. About 130′ of water has been the most consistent depth. Most of the fish have been school size fish under about 15 pounds. Trolling planers with Drone spoons or fresh Bonita strips have worked best to target the Kingfish
Capt. Jay Cohen
Capt. Jay owns and operates the Miami fishing charter Capt. Jay’s Deep Sea Fishing. Capt. Jay has fished Miami for more than 40 years and holds several I.G.F.A world records and has won multiple tournaments, including the METT tournament and the fun fish boat in the Miami Billfish tournament. Capt. Jay discovered a new species of tilefish and had the honor of naming the fish (Bahama Tiger Tilefish).
