Fishing continues to be good despite the record low temperatures that we have endured this winter. It seems like we're getting hit with no less than two cold fronts per week. The unsettled weather has made it a bit difficult at times to predict what the fish will do next. Some of the best days in February came on days when the conditions were less than ideal. One factor that definitely has played a role in the action has been the current. February saw a lot of days with little or no current.
On some of our more recent trips we've caught some nice kingfish up to 25 lbs and a mixed bag of blackfin tuna, mahi, bonitos, sharks and even snook. On one particular trip we had conditions that allowed us to anchor so I decided to fish some of the county wrecks. From the time the first line went in the water I knew this was a good call. We had excellent action for about two hours and then had to move on due to a ripping current. Anchor fishing these wrecks can be very productive especially when you're chumming with live or even dead bait.
One of the nice things about fishing right now is that on days when the fishing slows or the winds kick up there are plenty of inshore opportunities. Inshore there is no greater fighter than the silver king. Tarpon fishing has been good this year and the fish have now taken up residence in Miami's government cut. Tarpon are warm water fish that find refuge in the deep water of our main shipping channel. Besides the warm water they find in the channel, they also gorge themselves on shrimp that run at night. Since the best fishing occurs when the sun starts to fall you don't even need to take a day off to get in on the action.
Another species that has been very cooperative in and around channels has been Spanish mackerel. These lightning fast fish provide an excellent light tackle challenge and can be caught on live bait, spoons, jigs, and even flies. Mackerel seem to favor the outgoing tides but are often caught on the incoming.
We'll that pretty much sums it up for now. I have several trips scheduled but still have plenty of open dates so let me know if you're ready to go or need more information. If you don't see the trip you're interested in let me know because many parts of these trips are flexible.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Orlando Muniz
Nomad Fishing Charters
www.NomadFishing.com
(786)266-0171
