Fort Lauderdale Fishing on Happy Day Today with Capt. Zsak
A planned family reunion started off with some deep sea charter fishing aboard the Happy Day Today with the Topshotfishing team. Dustin Lunde and wife from Wisconsin and relatives from Sweden, including his father-in-law, were vacationing in Fort Lauderdale FL last week. Before leaving the dock, Dustin discussed with me what he would like to catch, one of his father-in-law's bucket list wish, a Shark. Dustin is an avid angler and realized what this would mean to his father-in-law.
Our fishing ground in Fort Lauderdale FL is only 1.8 miles from the sea shore and this puts us at the drop off in 120 ft. of water by the sea buoy in Fort Lauderdale FL. We started off trolling – two plainers down – a blue and white sea witch in front of a double hook Bonito strip and on the other plainer with a 3 ½ blue reflector drone spoon. Both traces on these plainers run 85 ft. long. For surface baits we had two Ballyhoos, two Bonito strips with sea witches in front and a ¼ ounce white and red jap feather down the center. As we trolled the reef north of Fort Lauderdale, heading towards one of many artificial wrecks located in Broward County, our first strike was a surface bite which produced a 12 lb. Bonito, followed by steady action of Bonitos, ranging from 8-15 lbs – good hard fighting fish and a couple of Mahi Mahi's. The plainer with the 3 ½ reflector spoon had a strike with the line exiting the reel at a fast pace and rod tip bouncing up and down – an indication that a Wahoo was hooked. Dave, our mate, wired and gaffed the 33 lb. Wahoo with the sun gleaming down on his neon vertical stripes, and jaws wide open exposing his razor sharp teeth. Dustin, being a trophy hunter, said that the Wahoo would make a perfect addition to his collection.
It was now time to catch a Shark. With one surface bait, one midrange bait, one bottom bait and a kite with two live Goggle Eyes flying from it, the trap was set. Not long afterwards, we got a Shark bite on the surface bait. Dustin's father-in-law was the angler and hopped into the fighting chair, with the rod strapped in – the battle began. With the angler being in perfect condition, I knew he would accomplish the task. As the predator showed himself, it was a Golden Hammerhead Shark in the 200+ range. As Dave wired the fish in, with a smile on the father-in-law's face, he couldn't thank me enough for fulfilling his dream. Pictures were taken and the Shark was released to fight again.
This ends another successful and adventurous deep sea fishing charter in Fort Lauderdale FL with the Happy Day Today, the Topshotfishing Team and Captain Zsak - 954-309-7457 – www.topshotfishing.com
