EVERGLADES/FRESHWATER: Capt. Alan Zaremba of Hollywood reported that heavy rainfalls and the resulting movement of water forced him to fish for peacock bass in the lakes in the urban canal system where changes in water levels are not as dramatic. Sight-casting for peacocks up to 7.5 pounds with his AZ Jungle Jigs was the best tactic.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE: The summertime bass pattern is in full swing, which means spinnerbaits and topwaters first thing in the morning, then flipping and pitching jigs and creature baits. Fishing for bluegills has been excellent.
SOUTH FLORIDA OFFSHORE: “The dolphin were very tough today,” Capt. Bouncer Smith said Thursday. “There were just a very, very few caught, most of them pretty far offshore.” Bottom fishing produced a couple of black groupers and a couple of mutton snappers for Smith’s charter. Boats fishing out of Haulover Inlet caught kingfish and bonitos trolling in 120 feet and the same species were biting in the same depth off Fowey Light. Capt. Skip Dana of the Helen S and Fish City Pride drift boats at Hillsboro Inlet Marina said anglers caught lots of vermilion snappers, plus yellowtails and muttons and a few kingfish. Lots of small dolphin were along edges 11 miles offshore Wednesday.
THE KEYS: The best bet continues to be fishing the reefs for yellowtail snapper. Blackfin tunas have been caught around the humps by trolling and jigging. Dolphin fishing has been on the slow side.
SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE: Capt. Bouncer Smith said tarpon fishing at night has been terrific using live crabs for bait. His most recent trip produced a tarpon south of Government Cut, then north of the inlet, then south of the inlet, so don’t be afraid to make a move if the bite slows.
