South Florida Fishing Report 08/13/2008
Fishing has been similar to last week in Biscayne Bay according to Captain Rich Smith. The bonefish and Permit are in their largest numbers on the ocean side of Elliott Key, especially in the areas of Dynamite Dock and Airport Flat in Key Largo. Normal crab pattern flies have been working well on the permit if you are skilled enough to put it in front of them.
Flamingo provided decent fishing last week until the wind shifted to the West over the weekend. Snook and reds were being caught all over the front side flats and especially around Bradley Key and Snake Bight flats. Also, this time of year the Black Drum are running around the flats of Garfield and Rankin Bight in schools of 20-50. A live shrimp on a ¼ oz jig head will do the trick. Red and white flies with the hook tied weed less will catch them as well. The backcountry area of Whitewater Bay has remained very good for medium sized tarpon. The fresh water level has risen enough in Hell's Bay that the weeds have started to grow once again. This is a really good sign because they will provide a habitat for little bait fish to live unexposed to predators. Rich predicts that in the next few weeks all the backwoods areas of Hells Bay, Pearl Bay, and Lane Bay will come alive once again.
Chris Hunter at Worldwide Sportsman in Miami reports that peacock bass have been biting well early and late in the day.
There are plenty of snook and tarpon on the beach as well as snapper on the adjacent jetties. Fishing should take off for snapper and snook with the upcoming full moon. Fishing seems to be best at night when there is less traffic.
Offshore, dolphin is hit or miss. Between Elbow and Fowley Rock is a good place to start looking. Some wahoo and marlin are still being caught in the straights of Florida.
Captain Rich Smith is a Native South Florida Full Time Fishing Guide based out of Homestead, Florida. He fishes Biscayne Bay, Everglades National Park and the Upper Florida Keys. If you would like to get in touch with the captain you can reach him at www.CaptainRichSmith.com or (786) 299 - 4813
