Fishing Reports

We decided to run to Bimini for a long weekend. The seas were not too fun heading out; 3-4’s and the wind in our face. Of course, we had nice southerly winds all summer except for the day we were leaving. Needless to say, the next four days were nothing but amazing. Nothing to speak of on the troll for us and there were some reports of black fin near Bimini. Based on the dock-talk, you need to make a run pretty far from Bimini for some different varieties.  For those that were deep-dropping, Queen Snapper seemed to be the catch of the day from 500-900 feet.  We hit various reefs and found it very productive.  Yellow Tail, Muttons, Triggers, Almaco Jacks and Rainbow Runners were plentiful, but we kept to Florida Fishing Regs and most of them came up short. We chummed heavy for the yellow tails and when we got them off the reef, they really like small chunks of squid. To be honest, squid outperformed all other baits. We did eat fresh fish every night for dinner and thanks to the staff at the Bimini Big Game Club for great hospitality.  

Some reports of a good number of dolphin on the smaller side this week, and and expect this to continue into the weekend.  Trolling bonita strips, squid, and small feathers has been working well for the dolphin; as has stopping on good looking conditions and doing some chunking and letting the fish come to you. Depths have still been pretty scattered with 500-800′ seeming like the right range and that will vary depending on conditions.  Wahoo fishing has slowed down on the backside of the moon, but still a pretty good number being caught.  Bonita strips with a Sea-Witch on the planer have been working well for the wahoo, as have the Nomad DTX minnow.  Kingfish are on the 120′ ledge in decent numbers, with a pretty good morning and afternoon bite.  Bottom fishing picked up this week, with some good mangrove and mutton reports coming in. Squid seems to be working well for bait. 

Reports were fairly slim this week offshore…not surprising with excessive heat and school starting back up.  Still a fair scattering of dolphin reports in 500-800′ of water.  Most of the dolphin remain on the small side; so keep the baits and lures on the small side for best results.  Bonita strips, small trolling squid, and little tuna style feathers remain great choices for the dolphin.  While we aren’t on a key moon phase, wahoo reports remain consistent.  A bonita strip or split tail mullet behind the planer is a good way to go for the wahoo.  Nomad DTX Minnows also continue to produce some wahoo bites as well.  In along the 120′ ledge the kings are around in decent numbers.  Early in the week saw a good pick on the kings in 90-130′ of water from the Juno Beach Pier up to Jupiter Inlet.  Still a lot of bonita in the same areas…so be prepared to pick through them to get the good stuff.  Snapper fishing was decent this week; with a good number of mangrove, some yellowtail, and a few good mutton snapper around.  

Bottom fishing was on fire today.  Several keeper mutton in the 22″ range along with a solid yellow snapper bite in the 15″-16″ range with some porgies in the mix provided me and my guests with non-stop action for about 3 hours in the morning.  Other Reports: A few scattered dolphin out deep.  Seemed like the shallowest reports were in 800′ this week, but that could change with some stronger east winds in the forecast.  In a little closer, sailfish action remains pretty good in 150-300′ of water.  Bonita and kingfish are around in solid numbers along the 120′ ledge.  A few wahoo reports this week.  Was hoping to hear of a few more wahoo on the new moon, but looks like we will have to wait for the next full moon to see them really go off again.  A little wind this weekend will likely help shake the fishing up a bit… we could use a little motion in the ocean! 

Not too much to report this week as mother nature made it a little challenging to get out between the rain and strong winds. Some scattered reports from Boynton Beach Inlet south to Deerfield Pier of some dolphin around out past the 800ft mark- mostly shorts. Looks to be some improvement this weekend with Sunday looking like the best day to fish. We are coming up on the full moon, too, so get ready for the wahoo, if you are targeting them.  With the motion of the the ocean this past week, I do expect the bottom fishing to pick up.  A fish finder rig with about a 30ft leader is my go-to using sardines or goggle eyes has been productive. With a ENE/NE current and ESE/SE winds, the bite should be on.  Get out and fish this weekend!