Double Threat Charters

Dolphin, Turtles, and Seabirds: The Wildlife You’ll See Fishing in Miami

2026-03-12

When people book Miami fishing charters, they’re usually thinking about big game fish like sailfish, mahi-mahi, or tuna. But one of the most unforgettable parts of a day on the water is the incredible marine wildlife that often appears along the way. The waters off Miami, Florida are home to dolphins, porpoises, sea turtles, manatees, and a wide variety of seabirds. On many trips, the highlight isn’t just the fishing—it’s the wildlife encounters that happen between the bites.

Dolphins: The Stars of the Show

The marine mammals guests see most often during Miami fishing charters are dolphins—especially the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). These highly intelligent animals are common along the South Florida coast and are well known for riding the pressure waves created by boats. It’s not unusual for a pod to swim alongside the boat, surfing the wake and occasionally leaping clear out of the water.

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins typically grow between 8 and 12 feet long and can weigh 300 to 1,400 pounds. They live in both coastal and offshore waters, feeding on fish and squid. In the waters off Miami, they are often seen traveling in small social groups called pods. Dolphins communicate through whistles and clicks and are known for their playful behavior, which is why they’re such a favorite sight for anglers and families alike.

Occasionally, visitors may also spot Risso’s dolphins, which are slightly different in appearance. These dolphins are larger and have distinctive scarred, gray bodies that become lighter with age. They tend to prefer deeper offshore waters but are sometimes seen during longer offshore fishing trips. For more info about the dolphin species we have here, click here

What About Porpoises?

People often use the words dolphins and porpoises interchangeably, but they are actually different types of marine mammals. True porpoises are much less common in the warm waters around Miami. Most porpoise species prefer cooler coastal environments farther north. Still, many visitors casually refer to dolphins as “porpoises,” so it’s a term you’ll often hear when guests describe the wildlife they see during fishing charters.

Other Marine Wildlife in Miami Waters

While dolphins steal the spotlight, they aren’t the only wildlife you might see on the water. Sea turtles are regularly spotted cruising near the surface, including loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles. These ancient reptiles are often seen floating near weed lines or slowly surfacing for air.

Manatees—sometimes called sea cows—are also native to South Florida. They are more commonly found in bays, channels, and nearshore waters, but during certain times of the year they can occasionally be seen near the ocean inlets around Miami.

The skies above the water are just as active. Brown pelicans glide low over the waves before diving for baitfish, while magnificent frigatebirds soar high overhead, scanning the ocean for feeding activity. Smaller seabirds such as terns are another great sign for anglers because they often indicate schools of baitfish—and sometimes the predators feeding beneath them.

A Great View from the Double Threat

Wildlife viewing is even better aboard the Double Threat, our 43-foot Hatteras sportfishing boat. The boat features an elevated flybridge with seating, giving guests a higher vantage point over the water. From the flybridge, it’s much easier to spot dolphins in the distance, watch seabirds working over bait, or catch the moment when a sea turtle surfaces for air. Check out the seating on our flybridge click here

Whether you’re an experienced angler or joining your first Miami fishing charter, the marine wildlife you encounter can turn a great fishing trip into an unforgettable ocean experience. From playful dolphins riding the wake to seabirds diving into schools of bait, the waters off Miami are full of life waiting to be discovered.

When to See Dolphins and Sea Turtles

If you’re hoping to see dolphins on a Miami fishing charter, the good news is that there’s really no bad time of year. The most common species here is the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, and they live in South Florida waters all year long.

A few factors influence how often people notice them:

1. Time of day: Early morning and late afternoon can be great because the ocean is often calmer and dolphins may be actively feeding.

2. Baitfish activity: When schools of baitfish move along the coast, dolphins often follow. This can happen throughout the year but tends to be especially noticeable spring through fall.

3. Boat traffic: Dolphins frequently ride the pressure waves created by boats. During fishing trips offshore from Miami, it’s very common for them to approach the boat and surf the wake for several minutes.

Because dolphins are resident animals in the area, many captains would say you have a very good chance of seeing them on almost any trip, regardless of season.

The best time of year to see sea turtles in Miami is typically spring through early fall, roughly April through October. This overlaps with Florida’s sea turtle nesting season. During these months, turtles are more active near the surface. Many females move toward coastal areas to nest on Florida beaches. Floating weed lines and sargassum patches attract turtles because they hold food and provide shelter. Anglers often spot them floating near weed lines offshore or slowly surfacing for air. In winter, turtles are still present, but they tend to be less active and harder to spot, especially during cooler water periods.

We’re always on the lookout for wildlife such as dolphins and turtles and make our best effort to point them out to our clients. If you’re lucky enough you might catch the dolphins when they’re in a playful mood and they’ll surf and splash in our boat wake.

Drones & Fishing- Revolutionary Or Supplemental?

2025-12-22

Fishing has evolved significantly over the years, with advancements in technology playing a crucial role in enhancing the fishing experience. One of the most promising innovations in recent years is the use of drones in fishing. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have gained popularity in various fields, from photography to agriculture. In the realm of fishing, they offer unique benefits, including improved efficiency, enhanced safety, and an increased ability to locate fish. This article explores how drones can be utilized in fishing, the benefits they bring, and some practical applications.

Understanding Drones

Before delving into the specifics of drone use in fishing, it is essential to understand what drones are and the types commonly used. Drones are aircraft that can be operated remotely or autonomously, featuring different types of sensors and cameras for various applications. In the fishing industry, two primary types of drones are used:

1. Multirotor Drones: These drones have multiple rotors, providing them with stability and the ability to hover in place. They are particularly useful for short-range flights and can carry cameras, sonar, and other equipment.

2. Fixed-Wing Drones: This type of drone resembles an airplane and is more suited for long-range flights. They have longer battery life and can cover larger areas, making them suitable for scouting larger fishing spots.

Most recreational drones are multirotor drones. The average battery life on a mid-range consumer drone is 20-30 minutes with an average range of 1-3 miles. If you invest in a few batteries you can have some serious flight time without breaking the bank.

How Drones Can Benefit Fishing

Locating Fish- A Perspective Above the Water

One of the greatest advantages of using a drone while fishing is the aerial perspective it provides. Efforts to improve arial perspectives while fishing are not a new undertaking. Tuna towers https://www.fishmiamicharters.com/log/history-of-tuna-towers reshaped what a modern sportfishing vessel looks like as these aluminum structures sought an improved vantage point on a variety of boats. Tuna towers are not just helpful for tuna although they were initially used to hunt bluefin off Bimini in the Bahamas. Tuna towers have evolved and been used on a variety of vessels including smaller center consoles and improve sight fishing abilities for a variety of species including sailfish, mahi mahi, cobia, and more. Inshore, poling platforms and step-up consoles improve the vantage point for tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish, snook, and more.

The concept of using a plane to take a fisherman’s vantage point to the next level is not new either. Commercial fisherman have used this technique for decades to help locate large schools of fish including tuna, swordfish, bait balls, and more.

Drones now offer a more convenient, compact, and accessible option to improve a fisherman’s vantage point for a variety of applications.

Drone photo of the "Double Threat" near a big school of tarpon off Miami Beach

Locating Fish More Efficiently with Drones

Even the most budget friendly drones come equipped with high-resolution cameras, decent range, and real time feeds to the controller. Our crew has already used drones to spot schools of mullet during their migration which are followed by tarpon, snook, sharks, and more. When surf fishing or on a boat with a long stretch of beach, a drone can help you focus your efforts more efficiently and spot the specific pods of bait that have fish on them.

There are definitely some limitations to spotting fish with a drone. The first issue is that drones require a dedicated operator. If you are fishing alone, you have to either land your drone or spot lock it so it hovers while you fish after spotting something. It is more difficult in practice than in theory especially when you are running along the beach with equipment like cast nets, buckets, and rods in addition to a bulky (and delicate) remote controller. In addition to the requiring a dedicated operator, drone are sensitive to conditions such as rain and excessive wind which can make them difficult or impossible to fly.

Offshore, drones can be used to spot weed lines, temperature breaks, bait balls, and more. They are faster than even some of the fastest boats (at least in terms of average speed when factoring in conditions) but also have significant range and elevation. They can be used to spot schools of tuna in the Bahamas, weed lines for mahi mahi, bait balls while bait fishing, and more. Offshore, drones have their limitations as well. The main issue is that you have to launch and land them from a boat. This is easier said than done with fishing rods, wind, swell, and more making things difficult. Overall, if you aren’t a skilled enough operator or make a simple mistake, it can be costly.

Drones for Habitat Exploration

Half of the challenge while fishing is understanding where to fish. If you can’t spot fish directly, finding promising habitat can help you improve your odds. Underwater features such as sandbars, wrecks, reefs, weed beds, drop-offs, and channels can be effective structure for finding fish. Drones can be a great tool for finding grass beds, wrecks, and more for targeting nearshore species such as grouper, snapper, seatrout, and more. Drones can be used to find structure for lobster diving as well.

Casting & Other Applications

Surf fishermen have been using drones to drop baits far from shore for years now. This can be effective for shark fishing or if you are looking or just looking to get your bait further from shore. For casting, the SwellPro is specifically designed so it can carry up to an 8 pound bait and drop it far from shore. This can save a trip on a kayak (and the need for a kayak entirely) while shark fishing from shore.

There is no doubt that drones will continue to have an impact on fishing. Another application that may see drone involvement is kite fishing on light wind days. When there is no wind boats use helium to suspend kites while fishing for sailfish, especially during tournaments. If someone could design a drone that could be used instead of a kite, this would offer more versatility and flexibility while kite fishing with little or no wind. Nobody has done it yet but who knows what the future has in store.

Drone Content- Amazing Photos and Videos

More than any other application, drones have enabled fisherman to get amazing content while fishing. Having an eye in the sky with high quality cameras allows anyone to explore and shoot content from the shoreline or a boat. Drones have impacted fishing by allowing people to capture incredible photos and videos from perspectives rarely seen before. This trend has had an impact on social media and pushed the boundaries of how fish can be photographed.

Winter Fishing in Miami: A Complete Guide

2025-12-19

Why Winter Fishing in Miami Is Special

While the winter months in much of the United States mean bundling up and waiting for spring, south Florida’s subtropical climate keeps saltwater fishing productive and exciting. From Biscayne Bay’s shallow flats to the deep blue waters of the Gulf Stream just offshore, winter in Miami (December through February) offers a unique blend of inshore and offshore opportunities that draw anglers from around the world.

Unlike other parts of the country where lakes can freeze and rivers slow to a crawl, Miami’s water temperatures remain relatively warm during winter. The Atlantic coastal waters drop slightly, but not drastically this time of year. The Gulf Stream keeps nearshore waters in the 70 degree range and Biscayne Bay rarely dip into the 60s.

Inshore Waters: What to Expect During Winter

Winter in Miami means mild temperatures and less rain. Contrary to summer months when fish are often active during the early morning and late evening, winter fishing can often spread out the bite throughout the day with less extreme temperatures.

Good inshore winter fishing areas include:

Biscayne Bay grass flats and finger channels
Creek mouths and mangrove shorelines of south Biscayne Bay
Inshore wrecks and structure
Bridges and inlets (especially at night when shrimp runs trigger predator feeding)

Top 5 Inshore Species to Target in Winter

Here are the best inshore targets on your winter fishing trip to Miami:

1. Bonefish

One of the most prized flats species, bonefish remain active during winter and often school up especially after the biggest cold fronts. Bonefish are targeted on light tackle, flies, small jigs, and shrimp patterns while sight fishing. These are one of the hardest fighting gamefish pound for pound and one of the big 3 inhore species (tarpon, bonefish permit).

2. Tarpon

Tarpon push south along the beaches during winter and start populating the inlets such as Haulover and Government Cut. The tarpon typically feed less on mullet and more on shrimp as they begin to run during January-March. Tarpon are strong fighters with explosive runs and even though they can weigh up to 200 pounds, the best bait this time of year is often shrimp. Tarpon can be caught free-lining live bait and shrimp or crabs near the beaches, inlets, and bridges all winter long especially during the early morning, late evening, and nighttime. Target the outgoing tide for the most success.

3. Spotted Seatrout

Winter is ideal for chasing spotted seatrout on Biscayne Bay’s grass flats and sandy potholes. Although the population isn’t as healthy as it used to be due to habitat depredation, we still have a decent seasonal seatrout fishery if you know where to look. Find a grassy area with decent waterflow (2-6 feet deep) in north or south Biscayne Bay and set up a drift. Take long casts with Cajun Thunders (popper), 3 feet of leader, and gulp shrimp. Work the baits over the flats and you should catch a few fish. If you find an area that is particularly productive, you can try soft plastics or even top water to switch things up.

4. Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove snappers hold on structure in deeper inshore channels and edges during winter months. If you have wrecks in Biscayne Bay, this is a great time to go fish some live shrimp or pilchards if you want to catch 2-3 lb fish. In addition to mangroves, gag grouper area nice surprise in the bay during winter months.

5. Yellow Jacks and Mutton Snapper

Try the finger channels or nearshore patch reefs during December or January if you want to catch some mutton snapper or yellow jacks, both of which are hard fighting and great eating. Both species inhale live pilchards if you can get them. If you are able to net enough bait, try live chumming as well.

Winter Offshore Fishing: Conditions & Tips

Just three to five miles off Miami’s coast, the Gulf Stream brings deep, nutrient-rich water close to shore. This attracts migratory gamefish and pelagic species that thrive in winter, making offshore winter fishing both productive and thrilling. Some of our most exciting gamefish migrate along the coast during the winter months.

Offshore Conditions During Winter

When conditions are right offshore, Miami becomes a playground for pelagic gamefish. We are often looking for blue water, north current, and a bit of north wind often helps the bite this time of year. These five species are among the best to target from December through February.

1. Sailfish

The true star of Miami’s winter offshore scene is the sailfish. These acrobatic billfish migrate through the Gulf Stream and are most abundant during winter and spring. We kite fish almost every trip this time of year in hopes of catching sailfish. When the conditions line up (blue water and strong current), this is a great time of year to catch double digits.

2. Kingfish

Kingfish (aka king mackerel) are incredibly fast and powerful gamefish that move along our reefs this time of year. Winter and early spring can be a great time to catch smokers (30+ pound fish) while kite fishing. In addition to kingfish, wahoo area always a possibility while kite fishing or trolling during the winter.

3. Blackfin Tuna

The blackfin tuna bite doesn’t peak until spring but we still catch a few “footballs” in the 8–15 pound range this time of year. Blackfin tuna migrate closer to shore as winter waters cool, creating great action for anglers looking strong fish that taste as good as they look.

4. African Pompano

These species are still a rare catch any time of the year but if you are going to try for one, December and January are the months. Try fishing live baits on wrecks or reefs in the 100-150 foot range for the most success. AP’s are an exotic, great tasting, and hard fighting fish that you won’t soon forget.

5. Swordfish

Winter is one of our favorite times of the year to fish for swordfish during the day as we often see decent numbers of fish and a decent probability of catching a big one. The only caveat with swordfishing during the winter is that cold fronts can bring north wind that make the sword grounds a bit too rough to fish. If you are keen to try for a sword, look for a good weather window and you’ll have a great shot this time of year.

Book a Winter Trip

Winter in Miami offers something truly special for anglers. Whether you’re throwing lures across glassy flats at sunrise or chasing sails offshore beneath bright blue skies, the city’s winter fishing scene is diverse, accessible, and exciting. Feel free to book a trip as you can’t go wrong this time of year.

Fall Fishing Report 2025

2025-11-19

Fall in Miami generally stretches from late September through early December. The brutal summer heat begins to break, and water temperatures slowly fall from the upper 80s into the 70s. This subtle change creates a surge of marine activity. Schools of mullet, pilchards, and sardines migrate along the coast, providing a buffet for a variety of predators. The annual mullet run, in particular, is a highlight. The spectacle of thousands of baitfish streaming down the coastline attracts tarpon, snook, jack crevalle, sharks and more.

Inshore Action: Tarpon, Snook, and More

Inshore waters around Biscayne Bay, Haulover, and Government Cut come alive in the fall. Tarpon remain active through the season feeding on mullet along the beaches and jettijes. Juvenile tarpon crowd the back bays, while larger adult fish patrol inlets and bridges, especially during the mullet run. Night fishing around bridge lights can be productive as well. Drifting live mullet or casting slow-sinking swimbaits can produces violent strikes. When considering artificial lures, mullet look alikes such as the 5" or 7" R & R Tackle slide baits can be particularly effective this time of year.

In addition to tarpon, snook also hunt along the baches and inlets in search of an easy meal. Fall is prime time for using topwater lures during early mornings with explosive strikes are a thrill unique to this season. For those preferring bait, live shrimp, pilchards, and finger mullet yield more consistent results.

On the grass flats especially in south Biscayne Bay, red fish and sea trout, while not as abundant as they are on Florida’s west coast, also provide solid action. With clearer water and milder wind, sight-fishing the flats becomes easier in October and November.

Nearshore and Reef Fishing: A Shift Toward Cooler-Water Species

Just a few miles offshore, Miami’s reefs and wrecks offer a different fall bounty. As the water cools, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, and grouper species become more active. Fall is one of the better times to target mutton snapper on the deeper reefs using live baits like ballyhoo or pinfish. You can also troll the reef for mutton snapper or grouper with more success during this shoulder season.

Kingfish also begin their run along the South Florida's coastline during late fall. These hard-charging predators respond well kite baits, mid rods, and strips trolled behind planers. Their migratory push coincides nicely with the abundance of baitfish pushed south by shifting weather patterns. They get fired up chasing ballyhoo showers along the reef.

For anglers who enjoy vertical jigging or bottom fishing, fall conditions make it easier to hold position over wrecks and ledges thanks to calmer winds and currents. Amberjack, almaco jack, and blackfin tuna are all possible encounters, giving anglers a chance to test both strength and technique.

Offshore Opportunities: Sailfish Season Begins

Fall marks the early stages of Miami’s famous sailfish season. While peak action arrives in winter, late fall often brings the first consistent pushes of sailfish along the Gulf Stream’s edge. Kite fishing is a local specialty. Suspending live baits from kites creates a natural, lifelike presentation that sailfish find irresistible. This technique is particularly effective in South Florida where double digit days are not uncommon once the sails really turn on.

Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) are still present offshore as well, though their size and numbers decrease compared to summer months. Fall dolphin are often found closer to shore during the fall feeding on ballyhoo which makes them a welcome guest while kite fishing or trolling along the reef.

A Season Worth Experiencing

Fall fishing in Miami is energetic, diverse, and often underrated. With cooler temperatures, active gamefish, and spectacular bait migrations, it offers some of the most exciting inshore and offshore action of the year. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a visiting newcomer, fall is the perfect time to explore Miami’s exceptional fishing scene. The flights and hotels are sometimes a bit more reasonable this time of year so it is a great time to visit South Florida.

June 2025 Miami Fishing Report

2025-06-16

As the weather warms up and the winds lighten up, we typically begin venturing further offshore during June and July in search of dolphin fish. No, we are not targeting the mammal, when we say dolphin fish we are referring to mahi mahi or dorado, the bright green fish that are a common sport fish in tropical waters. This is an exciting fishery that we enjoy especially from June-September. Dolphin are exciting fish that fight hard and travel in large schools which makes them a crowd favorite.

Double Threat Record Dolphin Fish

During a recent outing, our crew managed to boat one of the biggest mahi mahi caught off Miami in decades. This bull dolphin (bull refers to males who have a sharp angle on their heads) weighed an impressive 57 pounds. Considering the average mahi mahi off Miami ranges from 5-10 pounds, this was a pretty impressive catch and the largest dolphin our boat has ever caught. The fish was caught on 20 lb spinning tackle using a live cigar minnow. The fish was sight fished under some birds.

What Else Can We Expect This Summer?

The 57 pounder we caught was certainly an outlier but we have had regular limits of fish to start the year probably averaging 10-20 fish per day when we venture offshore. We have also had decent luck with “gaffer” mahi mahi in the 10-20 pound range with reasonable consistency. We have been catching most of our fish from 8-15 miles offshore. Although we do a bit of trolling when targeting dolphin, we also do a considerable amount of sight fishing from the tuna tower. Ultimately we are looking for big schools of fish that we can pitch live baits to on spinning tackle. Even if trolling isn't your favorite technique it can usually be worth the wait.

Other Recent Catches

In addition to dolphin, there are usually football sized blackfin tuna and skipjack tuna off Miami during the summer. In addition we sometimes catch wahoo and tripletail under floating debris.

It is not too late for a late season sailfish or larger blackfin tuna on the edge when conditions cooperate. Our crew is always ready for just about any technique.

This is a great time of year to take the family offshore as we usually have calmer weather and a good chance of loading up with dinner.

Don't hesitate to reach out and book a trip.

May 2025 Miami Fishing Report

2025-05-05

May is always a great time of year off Miami as we begin to transition into more of a summer weather pattern. We are typically greeted with warmer weather and lighter winds this time of year which can make for calmer seas than we see during the winter.

Spring Fishing = Meat

During winter we predominantly target sailfish while kite fishing and don't see quite as much bycatch that our guests can take home for dinner. This typically changes during May and June.

This is without a doubt primetime for "meat fish," especially blackfin tuna and kingfish. We also see a few mahi mahi starting to show up this time of year along with the occasional wahoo. We often keep wire leaders handy because the toothy pelagics will randomly chew this time of year, especially in the early morning and late evening. The picture below is a kingfish we caught along with a few others during a recent trip. This time of year it is not uncommon to catch a few kingfish each trip and there are definitely bigger fish around in the 30+ pound range if you get lucky. Kingfish are a lot of fun on light tackle and a crowd favorite for their explosive bites and hard runs.

Blackfin Tuna Fishing During May

It is still early and the blackfin haven't showed up in full force but we have been catching a few here and there. The bite typically improves during May and holds steady through the end of June. These blackfin tuna aren't as big as some of their cousins but they fight as hard pound per pound as any species of tuna and make for excellent sashimi. We typically target blackfin like most of our pelagics while kite fishing this time of year. They are a great fight on 20lb test and sometimes come through in packs which make for double or triple headers. The best technique for targeting blackfin tuna is to live chum but if the bait isn't available they still have a hard time passing up fresh kite baits. This tuna below is from a trip last week.

Don't Forget About Sailfish

May is late in the season for sailfish but it can sometimes be one of the better months. Many of the "meat fish" tournaments (kingfish/dolphin/wahoo/tuna) are held this time of year and it is not uncommon for boats to be harassed by sailfish, sometimes releasing over 10 in a trip inadvertently. As a charter boat sailfish are always a welcome guest and great to mix in with some of the other target species this time of year. A few weeks ago we had our first double digit sailfish day of the year during mid April and we have had quite a few double digit days during May in the past so it is definitely not too late to get in on the sailfish bite.

Bottom Fishing is Heating Up

If pelagics aren't your cup of tea, the bottom fishing typically heats up this time of year. Grouper season opened on May 1st and there are still some amberjack as well on the shipwrecks. The mutton snapper bite is usually decent during May but it only gets better through June. July and August is a great time for mangrove and yellowtail snapper so it will soon be a great time to hit the reef. Below is an American Red Snapper we caught on a recent trip. Although common in the Gulf of Mexico, these species of snapper are rarely caught off Miami.

March 2025 Fishing Report

2025-03-16

It has been quite some time since we did an update directly on our website but we have definitely been catching plenty of fish. In the last year since our most recent fishing report we have run over 300 trips and caught hundreds of sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, and more. The boat is running great and our crew is doing as well as ever.

How to Improve the Quality of Your Live Bait

2024-03-06

Professional charter boats and tournament fishing teams place great emphasis on the quality of their bait fish. Success often depends on it. Fresh and lively bait can mean the difference between catching that “personal best” or going home empty handed. Here are a few ways that you can mirror the most successful boats, and some things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your live bait as fresh and lively as possible.

Bait Handling

The way you handle your bait is essential to its longevity. To keep the freshest looking and liveliest live baits there are a few things you should consider when it comes to handling your bait. First, try to minimize touching your bait with your hands. Use a dehooking tool to remove your bait directly into a bucket of water or livewell. This helps to preserve the bait’s slime coat and scales. The bait’s slime acts a protective layer against pathogens, abrasions and even helps maintain the osmotic balance of salts and other minerals and water. Removing the slime coat either by contact with your hands, using a low-quality dip net, or letting the bait touch the floor will result in what looks like a rash on the bait. It won’t happen instantly, but any bait’s kept longer than a day or two will show the signs of mishandling. Bait handling is especially important for anglers who want to keep their bait stored in a bait pen for future use. Another aspect of bait handling is how you scoop your bait from the livewell and the type of dip net you’re using. Scooping a large amount of bait at the same time and causing them to contact and rub against each other will cause them injury although it may not be immediately apparent. Try scooping just a single bait at a time. Again, this is crucial for anglers keeping baits stored for future use. When we catch bait specifically for tournaments or for long term storage in a bait pen, any bait’s that touch the floor or need to be handled to remove the hook are immediately discarded.

Water Quality

Water quality can dramatically make or break the health and performance of your bait. This applies to anglers out on the water and back at the dock. Having a high-quality pump to circulate fresh sea water to your livewell provides a source of fresh oxygen to your bait, keeping them lively. We prefer to use the Rule brand pumps in a sea chest configuration. Hooker electric also makes excellent high-flow bait well pumps for anglers with a larger budget. Scaled baits like pilchards, herring and sardines require more oxygen due to their swimming pattern than other types of bait like cigar minnows, goggle eyes and pinfish. The scaled baits require an open loop livewell system that uses circulated water rather than a bubbler type system. Open loop simply means that water is constantly drawn in from the ocean, pumped into the livewell, and then overflows back to the ocean. For the anglers looking to pen up bait at their dock, water quality is especially crucial. The canals of south Florida allow freshwater runoff from the Everglades to the bays and inlets of south Florida. In addition to the changes in salinity the excess rainwater creates, it carries with it chemicals and pollutants. We’re all aware of the red tides and other related issues this creates, and the impact it has on marine life. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent the rainwater runoff, but you can be mindful of the soaps and bleach you’re using in the vicinity of your bait pens or livewell.

Overcrowding

There’s a limit to how many baits you can reasonably keep in your livewell. Overcrowding your livewell will reduce the performance and longevity of the bait, and in extreme cases cause rapid death. The amount of bait a livewell can effectively hold depends on the size of your livewell, it’s rate of water circulation, and the species of bait. Baits like sardines and herring swim continuously, and thus require more space to prevent them from bumping into each other and require more oxygen. A good rule of thumb for herring and Spanish sardines is roughly 1 bait per gallon to avoid any issues. When determining the point to which your livewell is overcrowded, you must consider water flow in addition to the actual volume of the tank. It’s possible to have too many baits for the amount of oxygen being supplied to the tank, even though there is adequate volume in the tank. There is no “one for all” rule of thumb, it all comes down to your personal livewell configuration and the type of bait you’re using.

Use These 3 Techniques to Avoid Getting Skunked

2024-01-15

In the realm of offshore fishing, trolling is an indispensable and dynamic tactic for anglers setting their sights on coveted catches like tuna, mackerel, wahoo, and mahi mahi.

January 2024 Fishing Report

2024-01-12

Looking to get out on the water for a day of fishing in January? Here’s what you need to know.