Mike Johnson

Fort Lauderdale Fishing April/May

Fishing Fort Lauderdale in April and May produces a great variety of fish for all anglers. From kingfish and bonitas on the reef, to sailfish and mahi mahi, big sharks, blackfin tunas and some wahoos action remains hot and steady. Here on the Local Knowledge 954.522.4773 when targeting kingfish and bonitas on the reef we troll a mixed spread of strip baits with a small octopus skirt or a sea witch and spoons. We will pull three top baits, one long down the middle called a high line or shotgun fished from the bridge and then a right and left long rigger. Down deep we fish a #6 planer short with 60# shock cord with a sea witch strip combo or a 3 ½ drone spoon and then a #4 planer long with a spoon or strip. The planer rods account for almost all of your kingfish bites with some bonitas mixed in. The top baits will get most of your bonita bites. This doesn't limit you to just kings and bonitas, both mahi mahi and sailfish will fall for baits as well. The sailfish however will bite better on the kite baits. Fishing kites help suspend live baits right on the surface for a clean presentation and account for about 80 % of all the sailfish we catch. The best baits are goggle eyes a nocturnal fish in the scad family, that can be purchased from the bait boats on the way out in the morning. What's great about kite fishing is that you see the fish 9 times out of ten before they eat the bait. Once the sailfish or big mahi grabs the bait we feed the fish through the release clip and then start reeling the line is released from the clip and your hooked up. Kite fishing is a great way to capture sailfish, big kings, big dolphin and sharks. Speaking of sharks may is the best month to capture a true sea monster off our coast. The hammerhead shark makes its yearly migration down our coast this month. Large spawning females and males make their way in big numbers providing great action for those willing to do battle. On the Local Knowledge we practice strict catch and release with the sailfish and sharks we capture managing our resources for the future. Incredible release taxidermy mounts are available so for the lucky angler we can get a measurement and good photos so you can have your cake and eat it too.

Capt. Mike

www.fishlocalknowledge.com

954.522.4773

Fish Species: Sailfish, sharks, Mahi mahi, kings and bonitas
Bait Used: live and dead
Tackle Used: 30-100#
Method Used: kites, trolling and drifting
Water Depth: 80-350 ft
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Mike Johnson

About The Author: Captain Mike Johnson

Company: Local Knowledge

Area Reporting: Southeast Florida - Fort Lauderdale

Bio: Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale Capt. Mike Johnson has lifetime of experience on local waters. A charter fisherman since 1994, Mike obtained his captains license in 1996. He has several tournament wins under his belt in both the Bahamas and Florida's east coast. He recently purchased a 42' Hatteras, The Local Knowledge, which is in charter at the Bahia Mar Radisson Marina, located in Fort Lauderdale. Capt. Mike aims to make sure that charters not only catch fish but have a great time doing it. Nobody likes a grumpy crew!

954-471-8560
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Mike Johnson