The most recent cold front was just what was needed to kick start some outstanding sailfish action. Prior to the front passing through our area, it had been a struggle to put together a decent catch. All the conditions looked good, however, the fish just weren't around. The sailfish action went from almost nothing to outstanding catches. Put a live bait in the water in the 120 – 150 foot range and within minutes a sailfish showed up and the fun began. Mix in a few kingfish and some mutton snapper action on the bottom and most every angler had a big smile on their face. With the cool morning and mild mid-day temperatures, the action should continue to please everyone.
Meanwhile inshore, the tarpon fishing has not really taken off with any regularity yet. The cold front got some shrimp moving in the Government Cut area. Up at Haulover, there was still no shrimp in the water. That could change with any change of the tide. A few nights of tarpon fishing produced two tarpon, a large jack crevalle, one snook, one mangrove snapper, and a ribbon fish. All it will take is one good shrimp run and the tarpon action will go into high gear.
Dan, Ray, Herbert, and Mauricio combined their efforts to catch 3 kingfish and 2 mutton snapper during their half day trip. Kingfish fillets and mutton snapper cleaned for stuffing and baking made for a very good fish dinner.
Steve and Corie McCall saw action with a tarpon and large jack crevalle at Haulover and a large eagle ray at Government Cut.
Gauste Gjelsten from Norway got in on the tail end of sailfish action in the late afternoon before the fish shut off for the day. On two drifts, he caught and released his first two Atlantic Sailfish. Just before heading in to tarpon fish, a small shark showed up and stole several baits before being hooked, fought, and released. Later that evening, a very nice 10 pound snook ate a shrimp intended for a tarpon. It too was released. On a previous trip a week earlier, Gauste caught and released a kingfish, ribbonfish, bonnethead shark, mangrove snapper, and had a tarpon on for one jump.
Captain Dave Kostyo
Knot Nancy Fishing Charters, Inc
305-965-9454
www.knotnancy.com
nkostyo@bellsouth.net