Combining a few different types of fishing in Fort Lauderdale makes the day go by quickly and increases your chances of catching fish. And with the winter months bringing on kite fishing and using live baits? It's the perfect time to drop a bait down for some of the snappers we have around here. And this is exactly what we did with Ashley, Brittney and dad Chuck the other day.
Flying fishing kites is a very productive way to fish and we do it often this time of year. Primarily used for catching Sailfish, anything that eats in the sea will bite these baits. But as in all fishing, there might be a bit of a wait for that bite. So when conditions allow, we like to use an "entertainment rod" to keep our guests busy as they wait for that big bite.
This is a rod that the guest actually hold themselves. We set it up and explain how to use it. It takes a bit to get used to it if you've never done it before but Ashley showed us once again that no experience is necessary… The bait is dropped down to the bottom or close to it and if they are biting? It doesn't take long before the first hit is felt.
Ashley wasn't really into this fishing thing and was very casual in her holding the rod. That changed when the rod bent and began jerking in her hand. Adam was quick to help her get situated with the rod and soon she was reeling up what appeared to be a nice sized fish. It turned out to be a 10 lbs. Mutton Snapper, an excellent eating fish. We had already caught a few small Tuna and had just added to the menu.
It's my job to watch the kite baits when this is going on but in truth? It's hard to concentrate on them when there is other action in the cockpit. Brittney was next and caught a smaller Mutton that we had to release.
Not only snapper will bite this rig and dad chuck got a nice bite and reeled in a small Silky Shark that took some time to land. We usually lose them as they bite through the line.
The weather was changing and rain and wind was making the seas change. All in all, we ended up with the two Tuna and 4 keeper Muttons, the biggest caught by Ashley. The hard part now was finding a restaurant that was open on Christmas Eve day to prepare the fish. But we got that done too.
And that's snapper fishing, Fort Lauderdale style. Fishing while you fish. I like it!
Capt. Steve Souther
Fort Lauderdale Off Shore Fishing Charters
www.fanntasticfishing.com
(954) 728-9880
