Fishing Fort Lauderdale on Happy Day Today with Capt. Zsak
Jennifer Mills and Brent Evans from Missouri chartered the Topshotfishing team to do some deep sea big game sport fishing in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Today winds were out of the east at 10 mph, seas running 2-3 ft., temperatures in the mid 80's.
Jennifer and Brent were looking for certain species of Sharks that they have not previously caught: Mako, Bull Shark and Thresher Shark. These Sharks were our target for today.
On our way out, we stopped to purchase a dozen live Goggle Eyes from T&T Bait which we will be using later on in the charter. We started off trolling at the sea buoy in Fort Lauderdale in 120 ft. of water, 1.8 miles from shore. We put down two plainers with sea witches in front of double hooked Bonito strips. For surface baits we went with Ballyhoos and Bonito strips.
The previous day the Bonitos were biting very well, which are excellent bloody Shark baits. After catching 11 Bonitos, we went out to do our Shark fishing. We put out one surface Shark bait, one midrange and one bottom, along with two Goggle Eyes from the kite. As we waited for the predator, Brent and I spoke about one of our good friends, Captain Mike, which I have been friends with for the past 25 years. All of a sudden the surface bait line screamed off the 80 International Reel, as Brent hopped into the fighting chair – we were hooked up but did not know what species was hooked. After a 25 minute battle, Brent brought a 7 ft. Hammerhead Shark to the side of the boat for picture taking and release. A good warm up fight!!!
We reset the same set-up again, and this time it was Jennifer's turn. The bottom rod bent over and Jennifer hopped into the fighting chair, strapped into the harness. The tug of war began. Thirty-five minutes later, we were rewarded with a "checked-off" Bull Shark, estimated weight 250 lbs. Pictures were taken and the Bull Shark was released. With little time left, we still reset for the third time. This time it was the midrange bait that got hit, as the line peeled off the reel – it was Brent's turn again to hop into the fighting chair. The tug of war went back and forth for the next forty minutes and then the line went slack. We retrieved the line to discover that the 400 lb. wind-on leader was severed in front of the swivel, never to know what species was hooked.
With one crossed off the list and two to go, it was time to head back - all the anglers relaxed in the a/c salon for the trip back to the dock at Bahia Mar 801 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale 33316.
For a successful and adventurous deep sea fishing charter Fort Lauderdale FL for Sailfish, Shark, Bonito, Mackerel, Swordfish, Snapper, Wahoo, Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Grouper contact Captain Zsak. - 954-309-7457 or email us at tzsak@bellshouth.net Website: www.topshotfishing.com.
