Log
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Jul 18August Fishing off Miami
To be honest, no, we don't spend all year looking forward to August fishing. We can't count on every day being epic but we NEVER KNOW what to expect on a given day. As slow as some days can be, the reality that the next bite could be a fish of a lifetime is what keeps us coming back for more. I don't have a crystal ball that can tell me what we'll be catching in the months ahead but we have been fishing in Miami for a long time and we can take a quick look back at the last few summers to give us an idea of what to expect. Summer Dolphin Fishing at Its Finest August is historically a great month for dolphin fishing with both quality and quantity to be expected. Some years are better than others but the last few summers have seen great fishing in August and even September rather than the usual June run. Dolphin are great eating, ...
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Jun 15Summer Dolphin Fishing off Miami
The summer doldrums are here bringing calmer wind and warmer weather. June-September is typically the calmest time of year off Miami with slicked-out days being the norm rather than the exception. We may sneak in a few days of kite fishing but they are pretty much stowed until the coming fall. Our best bet for most of the summer involves trolling/ sight fishing for dolphin and bottom fishing. Dolphin Fishing off Miami While targeting dolphin we usually venture 10-20 miles offshore while looking for birds, floating debris, seaweed, turtles, and more. The ocean is essentially a desert and any piece of structure drifting by is an oasis for baitfish and in turn, predators to congregate. While looking for fish, we usually troll 4-6 lines with a captain in the tower and a mate looking through binoculars. As you can see below, we have a very high vantage point from our tuna tower so not much is able to sneak past us. When we are able to spot a fish (...
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Apr 25Cobia, Blackfin Tuna, Amberjack, Sailfish & More
Spring is one of our favorite times of the year to fish off Miami. With a mixed bag of species moving through our area, the options are pretty endless with what we can target on a given day. Spring Fishing off Miami Kite fishing yields a decent sailfish bite that should last all the way through June. We typically look for north current and fish in the 100-200 foot depth with live goggle eye, herring, and sardines off the kite. When bait is tough we sometimes resort to cigar minnows, pilchards, and runners. In all honesty, we are probably more picky than the fish. The sailfish are very reliant on current so that is definitely the biggest factor. North wind is certainly a bonus and when we have the right wind and current, the sailfish can really chew this time of year. Blackfin Tuna Bite During Spring In addition to sails, blackfin tuna are a welcome catch during May and June. These tuna are exceptionally hard fighters and great eating. ...
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Feb 23Sailfishing is Heating Up
After a slower start to the season, the sails have finally started showing up with more consistency off South Florida. This past weekend we had 12 bites and caught 8 sails over a 3 day period. This isn't red hot fishing but it's part of an improving trend as we get closer to spring. The bycatch hasn't been red hot while kite fishing but we have been getting a few mani as well as sharks. The next few months will only get better with the sail fishing improving in consistency. We also hope the bigger kingfish will show up as well as the blacken during April. Bait has been a bit tough to come by but we've been catching some threadfin herring and cigar minnows which usually get the job done. We also have the option of buying goggle eye which is worth it on most days. The best bet has been kite fishing for the sails but we've also been catching a few off free jumpers. We've yet to see tailing ...
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Dec 30Nice Assortment of Winter Species
It's been a while since our last report but we have been running every day and catching a variety of species. We haven't been exclusively sailfishing like we normally are this time of year but we can't complain. There has been a really nice mixed bag of species in the area from the reef all the way to the sword grounds. Calm Weather & Lighter Current Days On calm or lighter current days we have spent more time working ballyhoo showers and trolling the reef. We have also been deep dropping for vermillion and yelloweye snapper. This has paid off with decent action on days that would otherwise be pretty tough. There have been a lot of ballyhoo on the reef getting chased sails, mutton snapper, bonito, mackerel, and more. This is usually a fall/winter event so it can definitely pay off to bump ballyhoo out of the outriggers in shallow. We also sight fish for sailfish when we see them balling bait. We ...
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Aug 2Swordfishing is Heating Up
Fall is my favorite time of year to swordfish but it already seems like the fishing is heating up. We managed to land a 200lber yesterday and got one other bite on a beautiful day. The swordfishing should only improve in the months to come but I wouldn't hesitate to book now and take advantage of the awesome weather this time of year. Swordfish are definitely a bucket list fish that involve a very unique technique for them to be targeted during the day. We use electric reels to target swordfish but we don't really believe this makes it any less sporty. The need for electric reels was driven out of necessity, not laziness. Swordfish are deep during the day, usually near the bottom in 1200-2000 feet. To get a bait down in the strike zone with 2-3 knots of current requires 8-12 pounds of lead. There is just no way you can fish this area efficiently without an electric reel hybrid at a minimum. Swordfishing ...
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Jun 16Summertime Dolphin are Here!
Summertime dolphin fishing is beginning to ramp up and should continue through September. This time of year there is a dramatic shift as we transition from kite fishing for sails, kings, and tuna to sight fishing and trolling for dolphin. Early Season Dolphin Fishing June is a great time for early season kite fishing. On calm days this time of year, we spend a lot of our time looking for rips, weed lines, and other floating structure. This can be exciting fishing because when we do find the fish, its usually larger schools of dolphin where double, triple, and quadruple hookups are common. We typically shift from trolling to live baiting when we find a school. Late Season Kite Fishing Just because the dolphin are showing up doesn't mean we have abandoned the edge entirely. When the current pushes onto the reef and the wind picks up, we are always ready and willing to kite fish even during summer. We don't typically expect the same type of action ...
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Mar 12Tuna, Kings, Mahi, Sails, and More- Spring Fishing Miami
Spring is without a doubt my favorite time of year. The quality, quantity, and diversity of gamefish in our waters from March-June is difficult to beat. This is a stellar time of year that is usually met with mild weather, good current, and great fishing. Blackfin Tuna Fishing During April and May Blackfin tuna aren't as big as some of their relatives but they are brutal fighters, especially on light tackle. Our springtime run of blackfin tuna peaks during May but can be excellent from April-June. These butterballs average 15-25 lbs but we frequently catch them in excess of 30 lbs this time of year. Bigger blackfin tuna are best targeted while kite fishing because the baits have a stealthy presentation. Larger tuna have a difficult time passing up a frisky live bait on the surface. Blackfin tuna have sushi grade meat and we're more than happy to clean them up after the trip. Although exceptionally rare, we also have our best shot at yellowfin and bluefin ...
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Jan 13Wintertime Fishing for Billfish
Winter is an awesome time of year to knock a billfish off your bucket list. With each front that moves through, bait and predators are pushed to the south along our coast. With the Gulf Stream only a few miles offshore, the water temperatures remain in the 70s with even the coldest fronts that move through. The abundance of wrecks, reefs, and the mixing of waters between Biscayne Bay and the edge of the Gulf Stream makes Miami a prime habitat for a variety of baitfish including ballyhoo, threadfin herring, sardines, pilcjards, cigar minnows, goggle eye, and more. Our sprawling bait fishery fuels the kite fishing industry off South Florida and keeps predators in the area well fed. Convenient Fishing for Sails and More Most of our fishing during winter takes place about 3-5 miles offshore which makes Miami a great spot to quickly venture out for a half or 3/4 day trip. These trips can be quite successful, especially for sails from now through May. In addition to sailfish, ...
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Oct 23Deep Sea Fishing during Winter
Winter is right around the corner! Fortunately, as the weather cools off, the fishing heats up off Miami. Right now is a great time to book your trip for December or January. Does Miami Have Good Fishing During Winter? Winter means different things in different places. Throughout most of the United States, winter can bring an end to their sport-fishing seasons as cooler weather shuts down most of the fishing. Luckily, Miami is a resilient fishery with plenty of options year round. The Gulf Stream is our best friend during winter because water temperatures stay in the 70s or above even on the coldest days. Most of the larger pelagic species that are caught in the northern Gulf of Mexico or along the Eastern Seaboard actually migrate our way as things cool off. These fronts push down bait and predators with South Florida being prime real estate during the colder months. Sailfish, kingfish, wahoo, swordfish, tuna, and more welcome visitors during the colder months. We are already ...
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Sep 18Deep Sea Fishing Report Miami
Fall is pretty much here and the fishing has been very consistent offshore. We’ve been catching a mixed bag of dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, and more with ¾ or full day trips yielding the most success. September is nearing it’s end and the next month will be a bit of a transition as more bait moves into our area igniting better fishing along the edge. October is a very underrated month off of Miami. It’s usually a slow time of year but not because of the fishing. Kids are back in school, and people start making holiday plans during fall which can put a damper in their immediate travel plans. Regardless, October is usually met with great fishing and light crowds when we do make it out there. Dolphin Fishing During October The dolphin fishing is usually pretty good in October with the average fish ranging in the 10+ lb range which is slightly bigger than the schoolies we catch during summer. In addition, ...
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Aug 26Goliath Grouper off Miami
The last few years have seen a late run of dolphin that seems to peak in August and this season was no different. Dolphin are usually swarming during June and July but the last few years have seen a better push of fish later in the season. Dolphin are highly migratory so it's hard for us to put our finger on when or why they'll migrate through but we're grateful for the solid late season fishing and weather we've been enjoying lately. On full day trips we have been averaging 10-20 dolphin per trip and have had a few days where we catch our limit. It hasn't been spectacular but this is enough to really fill the box with meat.The clients below drove down from Sarasota with 3 coolers so they were definitely grateful for their haul. Wreck Fishing During Summer In addition to dolphin, we have had some decent wreck fishing as of late. We have been catching some nice amberjack, almaco jacks, ...
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Jul 13Blue Marlin off Miami
I really wonder how the Miami baseball franchise previously known as the Florida Marlins ever came to be. It's clear the founders had little to no fishing experience off Miami because quite honestly, our marlin fishing sucks. Don't get me wrong, we catch HUNDREDS of billfish each year. We have a thriving sailfish fishery during fall, winter, and spring. In addition, we can catch swordfish year round. Marlin however, have always been, and will always be a rarity. Summertime Miami Mahi Fishing If we named our baseball team the Miami Mahi or South Florida Sailfish, I would understand. We do catch a pile of dolphin during the summer and sailfish during 9 months of the year. This summer hasn't had a wide open mahi mahi (dolphin bite) but we have caught consistent numbers of fish on 3/4 and full days. The only issue is that many of the fish have been on the smaller side. Either way we've been taking home dinner on almost every trip. In ...
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Apr 19Fish Species During Summer in Miami
Summer Fishing on the Way! The global circumstances definitely put a dent in spring fishing but that doesn't mean we won't be getting out on the water soon. Summer fishing is right around the corner! With calmer than average weather and great fishing, summer is definitely a great time of year to get out on the water. I'm sure we all need some H2O after all this time indoors. Fish Species during Summer off Miami Sailfish are still prevalent during the right conditions during May and June Sailfish start to lean out during June and July but during the right conditions, sailfish are a possibility year round In addition to sails, kings, blackfin tuna, and more frequent the edge through the end of June. Kite fishing can still be productive as late as July but you really need current and some wind. Dolphin fishing should pick up during June and July and are the main species we target during summer Dolphin are usually arriving ...
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Mar 18Still Open for Spring Fishing
Yes, We're Still Open! There is no better time to get outdoors for a private fishing charter. Our boat is thoroughly cleaned between every trip and our crew is healthy. The fishing is stellar this time of year with sailfish, blackfin tuna, kingfish, and more. A private fishing charter to catch dinner is an example of social distancing at its finest. Spring Fishing in Miami Spring fishing during March, April, and May is the best time of year for quality and quantity of fish. The sailfish are still around in numbers along with a variety of meatfish ranging from mahi to cobia moving along the edge. In addition, wreck fishing should be heating up during the next few months with amberjack, grouper, african pompano and more. One of our favorites, permit will also be staging to spawn shortly. There is no better thrill than catching permit on light tackle. With blistering runs and multiple hookups being the norm, permit fishing is icing on the cake while fishing during ...
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Feb 26Best Time of Year to Fish Miami
I get this question a lot and to be honest, we have great fishing year round. The answer is rather subjective because your definition of great fishing may largely depend on your preference. For some people, catching 60 dolphin on a warm summer day is the trip of a lifetime. Others might want to knock billfish off their bucket list and could care less for meat. Personally, I love catching billfish and the by-catch while kite fishing always keeps things exciting. If I had to pick 2 months of the year to fish, March and April would be my top choice. Flags symbolize the number of sailfish released during a trip. This is one of many double digit days we have had during spring. Springtime off Miami Spring is a stellar time of year with a great mix of variety, quality, and quantity of fish. We definitely have slower days when the current is lighter than expected or the wind direction is less than favorable but overall spring time can be ...
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Jan 18Wintertime Kite Fishing
Kitefishing For Sailfish I get the question every day... What do you catch this time of year? Winter in Miami is a great time of year with short runs and a lot of diversity. We predominantly target sailfish during the winter but luckily kitefishing is an approach that involves live bait and light tackle. Unlike trolling for other billfish such as marlin that require big lures with heavy tackle, kite fishing is a light tackle proposition. What is Kite Fishing? Kite fishing involves using a kite to suspend baits on or near the surface. Our boat is custom built for this technique so we use electric reels to fly 2 kites simultaneously behind the boat. On the line tethered to the kite we have clips that we use to attach the rods we use to actually fight the fish. We use 20lb class conventional reels with 6 foot rods for kite fishing and like to fish 6 baits at a time on the surface. When a fish eats the bait, the clip pops, ...
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Oct 28Monster Swordfish in Miami
It's not always the fish you catch that make memories. More often than not, the fight itself is what sticks with you. We've caught plenty of swordfish up to about 400 lbs, bluefin tuna to 700lbs, blue marlin to 400lbs, giant sharks, and more. Our list of "impressive catches" is pretty extensive. Either way, the list of epic losses is probably just as long. I've had plenty of epic fights during my career fishing. Some have ended with the fish of a lifetime in the boat and many have ended with fish stories. Before even talking about our recent catch, let me talk about a few fights that didn't go our way. Below you'll find our top 5 most epic losses. 500+ Pound Swordfish- This was an epic fight back in 2012. We hooked the fish toward the end of our trip and proceeded to fight the thing until it was close to sunrise. The fish jumped 5 times but we just couldn't get a clear ...
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Aug 31September and October Fishing Forecast
Great late season dolphin fishing The dolphin fishing went through a serious lull in July. We were definitely catching a few dolphin on average but it wasn't red hot by any means. Fortunately the dolphin season seems to be finishing stronger than it started. We have had quite a few limits toward the end of August and caught plenty of fish in the 20-40lb range. This was a great summer for "slammer" dolphin for us. We have been putting a decent number of bigger fish on the docks. Blue Marlin off Miami! Blue marlin are a rare occurrence while fishing off Miami. We usually see a few each summer and we had one customer lucky enough to catch a 200lb class blue during the last week of August. You really never know what you're going to catch out there and this fish was a welcomed surprise. The fish came up on a hookless daisy chain teaser before switching over to a ballyhoo. Kris nailed the ...
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Jun 13Dolphin Fishing Miami
Dolphin Fishing Charters Miami Summertime means mahi-mayhem in Miami. Dolphin go by a number of names just to make sure people are adequately confused. Dolphin are actually dolphin-fish. These fish grow quickly and congregate in large schools offshore especially during the summer. To be clear, we are not out there trying to kill Flipper. Dolphin-fish are fish, not porpoises. We do not kill mammals. The scientific name for dolphin is Coryphaena hippurus. The Hawaiian name for dolphin is mahi-mahi which means "very strong." In Latin America, these fish are often referred to as Dorado. In the southeast United States, we usually call them dolphin or mahi. Dolphin Fishing off Miami is a year round affair but summer is definitely the best time. Below you'll see a picture of a fine specimen. Difference between Bull and Cow Dolphin Mahi-mahi are one one of the few species of fish that have distinct characteristics based on gender. Male dolphin have square heads like the one pictured above. Cows on ...
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