Best bite in the Ft. L area in late April?

[lhonda]

Heading down to hang with some friends in late April. Can anyone advise as far as what the best chances would be for targeting fish, please? Not too crazy about tarpon, and frankly, I'd like the wife to maybe get into something like wahoo, cobia or dorado, and also not opposed to bottom fishing for grouper and the like. Not looking for big game stuff per se, but more just looking to hang with wife and buddy, and get tight, have some fish for dinner maybe. NOT interested in fishing for sharks (long story). :)

TIA for any insight.

[Soundking]

Hey bro, Soundown Sam will likely offer a better response than myself, but I can offer two Lincolns.

Late April for Dolphin is like our early June for Stripers. It can be super-consistent fishing, even wide open at times. Good opportunities for big fish as well under the Frigates. Definately a viable option and likely your best bet.

The kings should also be on the chew and be around in annoying quantities on top of and around the reef. Sails should also be a decent option.

Wahoo are dependent upon the moon phase and kind of do their thing as they please. If you have a good full moon with a pre-dawn moon set, you have a really good chance at hanging one on the dawn troll.

I will say that if you and Wifey wanted to experience something really cool, consider a night Swordfish trip. Lauderdale is the best Swordfishery arugably anywhere, with the main piece of structure being only 14 miles offshore. While it's not very fast fishing, you are virtually guaranteed a fish. The cool part of the fishing is being dead smack in the middle of the gulfstream in the middle of the night with the Swordlight in the water. The fish that come around the light at night are really, really cool. Mahi, flying fish (which look like blue dragons in the light), 10 inch wahoo, swordfish, sometimes even juvie skipjack tuna the size of a sardine. From a pure environmental geekout standpoint, it's probably my strongest reccomendation. That, and you have not lived until you have eaten the flesh of a pumpkin swordfish.

[Slappy]

LH--Please go out with the guys who took you shark fishing.

I just want to read the post afterward. ;) --125-3

[lhonda]

JJ, thanks for spreading the knowledge, bud. I know about the sword bite down there, and have a good connection for that, but for a lass 100 lbs. and change soaking wet, whose largest catch to date is a bonito (not including me, of course :brow ), I don't think tangling with the fabled gladiator is such a good idea. Especially on an overnight. But now that you mention it, I will be there for a couple nights after she heads back north... If I can slay my wild hog in a day's time after the first couple days fishing with her, I just might do a sword trip after. If you know of any people you can recommend for such a trip with the wife, please PM me; heading for mahi would be about perfect for her, I think. Thanks for the info, bud.

Eric, let me just say this: I've already been back down twice to attempt to reintroduce myself to those folks. When we do meet again--and I'm confident that will happen some day--I somehow don't think I'll be posting about it. Some interactions, especially those of a very personal nature, are best left between friends, wouldn't you agree?

Cheers, and thanks.

L

[Slamdance]

I just got back from North of there and the cobia were starting to show well along the beaches. The Snook bite was good at night in the canals and there were big reds north of Mosquito Lagoon, along the jetties at New Smyrna Beach. I also saw a lot of Spanish macks and Jacks inside the ICW. You shoukd have good fishing whether you decide to stick inshore or poke outside.

[lhonda]

Thanks for the added skinny, Steve; it's much appreciated.

[Slamdance]

No problem. I will warn you that it has been exceedingly windy on the east coast of FL lately. I was running the new Boston Whaler 370 Outrage last weekend and was glad I was not in a smaller boat once I got outside the ICW. I was too busy to fish but saw lots of opportunity.

[lhonda]

As far as wind and other conditions, well, we both know how THAT goes... :)
Hopefully it'll lay down from what you're talking about by the time we get down there. Last time I was down that way fishing (off of Jupiter with a buddy mainly targeting muttons, around the same time of year, I think) it was blowing pretty good, but we still did pretty well. Before the sharks got wise to us, anyway.

Thanks again.

[soundownsam]

In April (or just about anytime of the year) I would do a live bait trip out of Miami. Its is only a short ride, however, the difference in the amount of bait (always) and fish (almost) always is significant. It is in fact rumored that fish transit from Dade County to Palm Beach County via a "pipe" that allows them to avoid fishermen.

As for the fishing live bait fishing on what we call the edge which is where the Gulfstream pushes up against the reef line can offer excellent opportunities in the spring. Some of the biggest dolphin of the year show up at this time of year with fish a few in the 50lb range being caught every year. Sailfishing can be spectacular with 3+ fish days being very common and double digit days always a possibility. Kings will be around, thought, not as thick as late summer. Some cobia are caught with spring being a better time than other, however, if you really want to target cobes you should look about 200 miles North to the Canaveral area. And finally the first few black fin tuna (20-40lbs) should start to show in April (May and June are the best months for them).

There are a number of excellent captains in the area. Dean Panos, Bouncer Smith, Ray Rosher, Matt Tambor, and the list goes on.

Sam

[lhonda]

The mahi trip sounds like a winner, and just the kind of trip I think the little girl would like. Much appreciated, Sam.

[soundownsam]

Its probably more of a sailfish trip, but, done proeprly you will be dangling 6-10 live baits in the major highway for migrating fish at a time when lots of them are moving.

sam

[lhonda]

Ah, OK. I misunderstood your previous post, apparently. I'll see about some of the options, but thanks again for the intel. Blackfin though, eh? Hmm...

[lhonda]

This neither here nor there perhaps, but having looked at Dean Panos' site first, I initially liked what I saw, but can say without a doubt I will not be going with him. It's maybe just a personal quirk, but I positively freaking *loathe* people that either dance around, or simply refuse to post their prices on their website. Rant off.

[Soundking]

Leighton you crack me up dude. If you don't want to go with Dean, Bouncer is a really, really nice guy and a great guide. Be sure to check out the tarpon around his slip, too. The volume of Tarpon in Miami Beach Marina is a trip.

If you can get a ride on the Miss Britt (either Ray Rosher or Alex Castellanos), you're fishing with one of the best captains in the western atlantic. Those guys are stupid good. Think of the Miss Britt as First Light, same level of expertise and skill.

[soundownsam]

The only reason I say don't ask for a dolphin trip is that you will end up on a big sportfish dragging ballyhoo for hours on end with a shot a decent fish, but, most likley a cooler full of 22" dolphin an a few skippies. If you liek action and a good variety of fish and the possibilty of somethign impressive live bait fishing is the way to go. So in another change of name you shoudl request a live bait trip. If bait is thick enough live chum is the ticket.

Dean adn the others mentioned are excellent fishermen and will work their azzes off to put you on fish. Don't let pet peaves get in teh way of a good trip. To tell you the truth with a very seasonal business and gas prices all over the map I might be a little slow to post a price as well.


sam

[lhonda]

You make a lot of sense, Sam. I guess the price thing gets me because I have been stung before by scandalous guides and am still bitter, but you're right; I shouldn't let that make or break a choice, especially since I've gotten good information from folks I trust here. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

[soundownsam]

South Florida lie bait fishing is one of the coolest fisheries I have eer experienced. I am happy to help others here get a chance to experience it.

sam