Fishing Report Archived 2013
December Report
December 26, 2013
Our Miami Fishing Report December starts out with Sailfish. Winter is here and the Sailfish bite has turned on. When the strong North Gulf Stream currents move onto the edge of the reef system the action heats up. Along with the Sailfish we are catching nice gaffer size Dolphin Fish ( Mahi Mahi) and some large Sharks. Live bait fishing in the kite as well as slow trolling live baits have generated the best bites when the currents have been the strongest. The days when we see lighter currents trolling with a combination of Ballyhoo, Bonita Strips and artificial lures have produced Sailfish, Dolphin, Blackfin Tuna & Kingfish.
As the ocean North of Miami rapidly cools down, larger Sharks begin their migration south. The warmer waters off Miami and Miami Beach become a great place to target and fish for the larger Sharks. We see Hammer Head Sharks, Silky Sharks, Mako Sharks, Sandbar Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Bull Sharks and many others. The Sharks follow the nutrient rich warmer waters of the Gulf Stream. We target the Sharks from the edge of the Western Gulf Stream out to the 100 fathom curve.
The sunken ship wrecks off Miami & Miami beach have also come alive as the cooler winter waters arrive. We have seen some large Golden Amberjacks and Grouper on the Wrecks. Live Pinfish or live small Bonito have been the best baits for the larger bottom fish. Fishing with lighter tackle and cut bait we have been catching some good size Vermillion Snapper and smaller Almaco Jacks on the same wrecks.
November Fishing Report
November 10, 2013
Miami Fishing Report November is all about Black Fin Tunas and Sailfish. The Blackfin Tuna bite has been red hot on the troll. Small feathers pulled behind bird teasers and small Ballyhoo trolled at 5 knots have been most effective. The Tunas have been from about 2 pounds to over 15lbs with an average size of about 7 pounds, what we like to call “footballs”. In with the Blackfin’s we have also been catching some larger Skip Jack Tuna and gaffer Dolphin ( Mahi Mahi).
The trolling for Sailfish has also been quite good. For a two week period we have been getting a chance at Sailfish attacking trolled baits. The Tunas have been just offshore of the reef and out to almost 200′ to 600 feet of water. The Sailfish have been on the edge of the reef in less than 200′ of water.
October Fishing
October 24, 2013
Miami Fishing Charters Report, as the water cools the wrecks off Miami and Miami Beach come alive. We see Snapper, Almaco Jacks, Amberjacks and Grouper on the wrecks in the fall. This past week Capt. Manny and Capt. Chris caught a 90 pound Warsaw Grouper and we have been catching full limits of Vermillion Snapper. We have also been catching quite a few Almaco Jacks and we had our first Amberjack over 60 pounds this week.
Dropping a small live bait Bonitos on long leaders has produced steady action with larger Amberjack and larger Almaco’s. Fishing the bottom with up and down rigs IE “chicken rigs” is producing great catches of Vermillion Snapper and the smaller Almaco Jacks. Fishing larger cut bait on a 125 lb leader on a 100 lb rod has been the best way to target those big Warsaw Groupers.
We have had just perfect wreck fishing conditions. Light north current and light south east winds keep us on the wrecks while the north currents get the fish eating. With calm seas the conditions to have great catch could not have been better.
Red Snapper Fishing
April 24, 2013
The red hot trolling action slowed down after the full moon, se we turned our attention to a little wreck fishing. The wrecks turned out to be on fire this week. We saw our first big Golden Amberjack of the season. We caught fish as large as almost 50 pounds. The real star of the fishing show turned out to be Vermillion Snapper. The big “Vermies” were biting fast and furious.
With light winds from the South and a light North current the conditions were just perfect for keeping in the boat and the baits right on the fish. The light North current had the fish out and feeding. All of the Vermillion Snapper were good size with the largest snapper were up to 3 pounds. We also caught a few Yellow Eye Snapper with the largest about 6 pounds.
The bait we were using was fresh cut Spanish Mackerel and Bonita. Small pieces received quick bites, but longer strips hooked up with the largest Snapper. We were using 5/0 VMC circle hooks and 50 lbs leader materiel. The lead ranged from 8 ounces to about a pound depending on the depth. The wrecks we were fishing ranged from just over 200 feet to as deep as 400 feet of water. We also caught a few Almaco Jacks, Banded Rudderfish and Snowie Grouper.
We are very lucky off Miami and especially fishing out of the Haulover Park Marina. All of our bottom fishing was inside of 2.5 miles. With the deep water so close to the beach we can get in a lot of fishing in a half day fishing charter.
Wahoo Fishing
September 20, 2013
This Miami Fishing Report is just in time for September fishing. The full moons in September and October are the two best times of year to find Wahoo in Miami and off Miami Beach. On and around these moons the Wahoo move onto the top of the deep reef and wrecks out to about 600 feet of water. We concentrate our fishing to 100′ of water on out to about 350′ of water. The Wahoo usually ranges in size from about 15 pounds to about 40 pounds, although any Wahoo is a prize and trophy catch. The single best technique for Wahoo is trolling. Trolling allows us to cover ground, Wahoo who are lone predators spread out all over the world’s oceans.
The best baits for wahoo are rigged double hooked fresh Ballyhoo & fresh cut Bonita strips both fished behind a small trolling lure skirt or sea witch. Islander lures fished in combination with a bait have been a long favorite. Darker colors like purple and black or red and black are tried and tested favorites, although we have caught Wahoo on every color combo.
Wahoo is one of the fastest fish in the ocean. They can reach burst speeds of 60 miles per hour. With great speed they are a terrific game fish. Bright and beautiful colors, a mouth full of razor sharp teeth they are a great Sport Game fish we catch off Miami and Miami Beach.
September Sharks
September 20, 2013
Miami Fishing Charter Report sharks is about the great shark fishing charters. The late summer has weather has kept the Little Tunny and Bonita still migrating through the area. Behind these fish are the larger predators, Sharks. Over the past week we have caught Silky Sharks up to almost 7 feet, Black Tip Sharks to about 6 feet and the fish of the week was the capture and quick release of an 8 foot Tiger Shark.We have been finding most of our sharks out in 650′ – 750′ of water about four miles offshore Miami & Miami beach. Out on the one hundred fathom curve, sharks migrate south on the edge of the gulf stream. These fish can be found swimming just under the surface following weed lines and rips. They will be where the food is. We also find sharks along the bottom in this depth. Sharks like “Cuban” Night Sharks like the cool water under the Gulf Stream. On the bottom life is every where. From shrimp and crabs to tilefish , hake and grouper sharks have a great choise of food
Sharks
September 20, 2013
This week Miami Fishing Charter Reports is about the great shark fishing charters. The late summer has weather has kept the Little Tunny and Bonita still migrating through the area. Behind these fish are the larger predators, Sharks. Over the past week we have caught Silky Sharks up to almost 7 feet, Black Tip Sharks to about 6 feet and the fish of the week was the capture and quick release of an 8 foot Tiger Shark.
Lionfish
August 8, 2013
This weeks Miami Fishing Report Lion Fish… Is about the Lion Fish invasion. Lion Fish are an Indo Pacific fish that were accidentally introduced into our waters. They are an invasive fish pushing out local native fish. Lion fish are an extremely toxic fish. The toxins are potent enough to give a person extreme pain and localized paralysis. Although they are an amazingly striking fish with beautiful fins, markings and colors. They would make a great addition to any anglers trophy collection. Lion fish are excellent eating, but getting past the toxic fins can be a challenge.
We have known that the Lion Fish have been on the reefs and wrecks for some time now. We see them diving on the shallow reefs and get reports from research on the deep wrecks. Although we had not caught any yet, not until now. This past week we have caught our first two Lion Fish. The first was on a wreck in more than 300 foot of water and the second was on a wreck in 120 foot of water. I would have to believe they are every where. In every depth and on all structure. This invasive specie is becoming a real problem for the nativeMiami Fishing Report Lion Fish Lion Fish close up species. Lion fish are capable of eating and inordinate amount of fry (baby) fish. Small Snappers live Vermillion, Lane and Yellow Tail are very susceptible to getting eaten by adult Lion Fish. The new invasion of Lion Fish are going if not already taken a tole on the adult populations of many of the popular local indigenous game and eating fish.
The native Atlantic fish do not have information about Lion Fish built into their DNA. Unlike Pacific fish that have lived in a world with Lion fish fish for millions of years. They know how dangerous they are. Atlantic fish have no idea, and will just swim up to them curiously and get immediately eaten. Lion fish look like a slow harmless fish. Although are the exact opposite. They strike their pray with voracious blinding speed.
August Shark Fishing
August 1, 2013
Miami Shark Fishing has remained strong into August this year. We are still finding Sharks in water as deep as 750′ and all the way into the top of the reef. We have seen some lager bull sharks this week and a Great Hammer Head Shark that was nearly 10 foot. With the Little Tunny and Kingfish migrating through the area, the sharks have lots of prey fish to feed on. The summer usually brings the strong Gulf Stream current in close to shore. This warm nutrient rich water is where the Sharks want to be . The strong currents give the Sharks a great advantage over their prey.
With the strong currents and warm water temperatures, the sharks will be migrating closer to shore than other times of the year. These conditions help get our anglers into great Miami shark fishing action close to shore. Miami and Miami Beach are also host to lot’s of deep ship wrecks and reefs. The lively spots are washed over by the strong gulf stream currents. This creates the perfect environment for pelagic game fish and Sharks.
July Shark Fishing
July 28, 2013
Miami Fishing Report July Sharks…
Todays Miami Fishing Report is about fishing for July Sharks. Summer time Shark fishing of Miami & Miami Beach has been the best it has been in years. We are seeing a wide variety of Sharks of shore. This past wee we caught a rare “Cuban” Night Shark in only about 400 foot of water. Capt. Manny this week has caught an almost 11 foot Great “Gray” Hammer Head shark over the past week Our Deep Sea Fishing trips have also yielded for our customers “Golden” Scalloped Hammer Head Sharks, Bull Sharks & Sand Bar Sharks.
We are finding great Shark fishing in waters as deep as 500 foot and as shallow os the top of the reef in 80 foot of water. The sharks are where the food is, finding what food they are feeding on is the real challenge. The best summer shark baits have been Little Tunny and Blackfin Tuna. We have found fish in all parts of the water column. We have been hooking up on the bottom bait, the mid water bait and the surface bait.
June Fishing
June 21, 2013
This weeks Fishing Report Miami June is about the return of the summer time Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) bite. The air is Hot, the water is Hot and the schools of Dolphin fish are beginning to move through the area. We are finding fish as close as 300′ foot of water about two miles out. The far also as far out as 1800 foot of water, about 20 miles out. With the school fish have been a few slammer Bull Dolphin. Our largest this season was a 45′ pound monster for our fishing report Miami June.
When it comes to Dolphin fishing covering lots of water is the key. Dolphin fishing is more like hunting than fishing. The best fishing is around floating objects. The best “floaters” are those that have been in the water a long time and are deep into the water. The floaters attract an entire marine ecology. Including lots of small bait fish. It’s the accumulation of bait that attracts the Dolphin. Another great way to find Dolphin off shore is under birds. If you find a friget bird or a few gulls or shearwaters working an area close to the water, it’s game on! Dolphin push the bait to the surface and the birds take advantage. They dive in and grab their meal out from under the Dolphin.
On the Spellbound we troll feathers, small lures & Ballyhoo for Dolphin. Although most fish are spotted from our 25′ high Tuna Tower before they may attack our trolling gear. We will stop on the school of fish, or track them swimming. We use 12lb to 30lb spinning rods with short 50lb leaders. The hook is typically about a 5/0 to 7/0 hook, depending on the bait. We use a combination of cut bonita and live baits. The best live baits are pilchards & small runners and other jacks we catch off shore. For most fish the 12lb spinners work best. When we spot a single larger fish we go to the 20 – 30lb gear. The big 45lb bull ate a large Blue Runner pitched on a 30lb spinning rod.
Sailfish Bite
May 31, 2013
Our Miami Fl Fishing Report starts out with the continuing great deep sea Miami Fl fishing for Sailfish this time of year. Sailfishing has been just great over the past weeks. With calmer seas and warm to HOT weather the fishing heats up. We are still reporting great Sailfish fishing off Miami & Miami Beach. The action has been steady from last weeks Miami FL fishing report to this weeks Miami FL fishing report.
We are catching quite a few larger Black Fin Tuna while fishing for the Sailfish. Our best results for catching both Sails and Tuna have been in the kite. Live Thread Herring suspended under a fishing kite have been the best bait. We have also used Mullet, Pilchards & small Blue Runners with success under the Kite. A good North current and clean blue or blue green water has been on the deep reef drop off. Great conditions for a strong Sailfish bite.
When we kite fish, the lightest tackle you feel confident with is the only way to go. We fish TLD 25 fishing reels spooled with Suffix 20lb Hi Vis line. Our leader materials are 60lb & 50lb line depending on the conditions of the day, and our anglers ability. Hooks are always chosen to match the size and type of bait. Most hooks range from as small as 2/0 in a Pilchard to as large as 9/0 in a Bonito. We exclusively use wind on style leaders. Wind on leaders make the Sailfish easy to handle at the boat. This makes releasing the fish much easier, for both the crew an the fish.
Sailfish Bite
May 31, 2013
Our Miami Fl Fishing Report starts out with the continuing great deep sea Miami Fl fishing for Sailfish this time of year. Sailfishing has been just great over the past weeks. With calmer seas and warm to HOT weather the fishing heats up. We are still reporting great Sailfish fishing off Miami & Miami Beach. The action has been steady from last weeks Miami FL fishing report to this weeks Miami FL fishing report.
We are catching quite a few larger Black Fin Tuna while fishing for the Sailfish. Our best results for catching both Sails and Tuna have been in the kite. Live Thread Herring suspended under a fishing kite have been the best bait. We have also used Mullet, Pilchards & small Blue Runners with success under the Kite. A good North current and clean blue or blue green water has been on the deep reef drop off. Great conditions for a strong Sailfish bite.
When we kite fish, the lightest tackle you feel confident with is the only way to go. We fish TLD 25 fishing reels spooled with Suffix 20lb Hi Vis line. Our leader materials are 60lb & 50lb line depending on the conditions of the day, and our anglers ability. Hooks are always chosen to match the size and type of bait. Most hooks range from as small as 2/0 in a Pilchard to as large as 9/0 in a Bonito. We exclusively use wind on style leaders. Wind on leaders make the Sailfish easy to handle at the boat. This makes releasing the fish much easier, for both the crew an the fish.
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).
