SOUTH FLORIDA OFFSHORE: “Best dolphin fishing I’ve ever seen,” said Capt. Skip Dana, who fishes out of Hillsboro Inlet on Pop A Top, of this week’s red-hot bite. “Tons of dolphin offshore in 750-1,000 feet on weeds, debris and birds.” Anglers on the Helen S and Fish City Pride drift boats at Hillsboro Inlet Marina had some nice catches of vermilion snappers and almaco jacks.
“It’s been phenomenal,” said Capt. Chris Lemieux of Boynton Beach. “A lot of sailfish in 120-190 feet, wahoo were biting with the full moon approaching and dolphin fishing has been better than I have seen in years; 700-1,200 feet on huge sargassum patches and lines. Troll til you find them, then use live bait. The average fish are nicer than they have been, with a lot of keepers.”
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: Depending on Tropical Storm Erika, fishing this weekend could be a washout. The lake level, which has kept many bass anglers fishing with crankbaits, worms and jigs in the rim canal, should rise in the wake of the storm.
EVERGLADES/FRESHWATER: Bass were biting topwater lures in Everglades canals early in the morning. Flipping the vegetation along the canal banks or throwing suspending jerkbaits and swimbaits was catching fish later in the day.
SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE: Capt. Brian Sanders said his last inshore trip out of Chokoloskee Island produced tripletail up to 14 pounds, a dozen snook and 25 redfish from one school. Offshore trips around shallow Gulf of Mexico wrecks produced groupers and “absolutely fabulous” fishing for mangrove snappers up to 4 pounds.
THE KEYS: Charter boats at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada reported solid catches of dolphin 5-15 pounds as well as good fishing for blackfin tunas up to 20-25 pounds.
