Mid October was when we started seeing the occasional sailfish run through Fort Lauderdale, but within the past week, the sailfish bite has been consistent. These billfish are migrating from the North, heading South (our way, Ft Lauderdale), eating their way down. Generally, the bite is red hot from October - November. A few cold fronts have moved through the Ft Lauderdale area, triggering the bite.
The most common way to fish for sailfish is with live goggleeyes dangling from kites (No, not the kites you fly at the beach). The Lady Pamela II started off November right, catching 3 sailfish in one day this past weekend and it's only looking to get better here in Fort Lauderdale.
Not only has the sailfish bite been going off, trolling for kingfish and slamming the mahi - mahi has been consistent, too. Wahoo, amberjacks and cobia are around offshore Ft Lauderdale as well. For the start of November, the mahi - mahi are still showing up in good numbers and the catches have been great. The dolphin are ranging anywhere from 6-9 lbs and we're still averaging 5-10 fish per trip which is amazing.
The kings have been hit or miss (when it rains it pours?). One day the LP II will slam 'em reaching their limit in no time, other days their isn't a single kingfish in Ft Lauderdale. Live bluerunners or planners with fresh strips in 90-140 ft of water is the trick.
The Wahoo have been biting around full moons with north current ripping in 150-450 ft of water, averaging anywhere from 10-15 lbs.
Ft Lauderdale houses several artifical reefs and ship wrecks. When dropping a fresh, bloody bonito, bluerunner or speedo, it tends to works the best for the rod to bend over. It's hard to say what your going to hook down there, maybe an amberjack, big grouper or the occasional bull shark?
Daytime Swordfishing is taking off here in Fort Lauderdale. Fishing in 1500-1800 ft of water with a variety of dead and live bait (Squid, Mackerel, Mullett and Tunas) on an electric reel, your likely to hook up with the Gladiator of the Sea. The swordfish is the toughest fighting fish in the ocean and with it's cruel runs and deep dives, you won't be dissapointed. The Lady Pamela II set sail last week during the day and hooked up with a 200 lb'er. With nighttime swordfishing picking up, you will find us out there frequently.
Tight Lines!
Captain David Ide
Lady Pamela II
