Since my last report, we have been splitting our time between daytime swordfish trips and fishing on the edge for sailfish, dolphin and kings. The daytime swordfishing has been going very well. We have managed to catch (or release) a swordfish on every single one of our trips. The largest fish since our last report was just less than 300 pounds and most of the swordfish have been averaging right around 180 to 220 pounds. With the new craze in daytime fishing for swordfish, we have done very few nighttime trips this fall. I actually haven't fished for swords at night in over a month. We do have a few night trips scheduled, and I am looking forward to an enjoyable night offshore in the Gulfstream hunting for a big sword!
The daytime fishing has been a bit on the slow side, but this past week we have seen a lot more sailfish in our area. For the most part we have had some great conditions, especially south of Miami. There has been blue water and strong north current, but just not as many fish as you would expect from these conditions. We have still managed to catch at least one sailfish on each of our trips but one. We have been averaging from one to three sailfish per day. I am expecting that to change real soon. I think the change is actually already taking place as we saw 4 to 5 sailfish on our past two trips. Another indications is that we have had a few double headers and tripleheaders in the past few trips. This is surely a sign that the sailfish are starting to make there way down south and into the Miami waters. Traditionally January and February can be the two best months for sailfish in Miami.
Besides sailfish, there have been some decent dolphin around. Most of the fleet has been catching dolphin from 10 to 40 pounds. The dolphin haven't been thick, but when you do hook up with one, it is usually a good size mahi.
This past weekend was the Sailfish Kickoff Tournament. Instead of fishing with clients, I opted to fish the tournament with my youngest daughter Brittany, my good friend Eddie Carmen from Biscayne Rods, and his youngest son Zach. Our goal was to try to get one of the kids the Junior Angler Trophy. The fishing was a little slow on the first day, but we managed a doubleheader and Zach and Brittany each caught there first sailfish of the day. The second day the bite picked up a little bit, but was still slow overall. We had Zach winning the Junior Angler division basically from the beginning of the tournament all the way into the last hour. We ended up with 2nd place in the Junior Division for Zach and 3rd place for Brittany. More importantly than the winnings, I got to see my little girl fish with me for a whole two day tournament. I was so proud of her! See was watching her baits the whole time and was adjusting the baits and the kite like a pro. Those two days were more than just a tournament, it is memories that Brittany and I will have forever.
The holidays are coming around the corner quick. If you still haven't found the perfect gift, I offer personalized gift certificates for fishing trips. Contact me if you need more info.
Hope everyone has a great holiday season!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Dean Panos
www.doubledcharters.com
(954)805-8231
