FLORIDA BAY
March 24th, 2006 by Fishing admin
Fishing forecast
Now that spring is here and afternoon temperatures have reached the mid-80s, fishing has gone from good to excellent.
So it should come as no surprise that hot fishing is being enjoyed on both coasts, in the Keys and fresh water lakes and canals of South Florida.
Alf Fisher and Elaine Merkel of Marco Island on Florida’s southwest coast returned from a visit to Panama, where Fisher caught a 48-pound 8-ounce snook on a flyrod. An application for a world record was filed with the International Game Fish Association in Dania Beach.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD
Martin and Kim Chandler of Margate fished Biscayne Bay and caught more than 30 trout measuring more than 16-inches each; all were released. Their guide was captain Alan Sherman. Captain Quinton Dieterle, on L&H, said anglers are catching kingfish, dolphin and sailfish in 180 to 300 feet of water.
Captain Jim Hobales fished with Drew Schnitt off Fort Lauderdale and caught kingfish in 120 feet of water. Sailfish are not easy to find, Hobales said. Bothers Glenn and Mitch Widom caught and released two tarpon over 100 pounds off downtown Miami.
KEYS
Jeff Leach of Jacksonville was top rod in the kickoff of The Key West Fishing tournament. He caught a 54-pound 4-ounce kingfish. He fished with captain Ralph Delph.
David Stern of Fort Lauderdale caught and released eight tarpon to win his division for the sixth year in a row. His guide was captain Bruce Cronin. Andy Newman said 131 anglers on 35 boats caught 15 species of fish.
TREASURE COAST
Henry Caimotto, owner of the landmark Snook Nook at Jensen Beach, said water in Indian River has cleared up.
One fishermen at Herman’s Bay caught eight snook, five redfish and a 9-pound 6-ounce trout. Jacks, whiting and pompano can be caught in the surf. Kingfish, dolphin and sailfish dominate offshore action.
FLORIDA BAY
This week’s warm weather brought out the largest crowd of fishermen this year. Snook are being caught on jigs. Large trout are jumping on shrimp and jigs tipped with shrimp.
SOUTHWEST COAST
Captain Rod Walinchus, who guides in Charlotte County, said Spanish mackerel are feeding along shorelines. He also reported the arrival of big tarpon in Charlotte Harber. Red Stier of Naples said black drum and sheepshead could be found near shore.
FRESH WATER
Bradley Dunn and grandson Tom Adams of Clewiston had the best catch — 16.4 pounds — in Bass Busters Tournament at Clewiston on south side of Lake Okeechobee.