Today fishing in the North end of Biscayne Bay proved to be very productive for Snapper and Grouper fishing. While fishing with my two clients from the northeastern part of the country we used live shrimp and cut pinfish in the finger channels just south of the Stiltsville Channel. The key with the pinfish is cut each into about 3 to 4 pieces "Vertically." We often call them "Pinfish Steaks." While fishing in these finger channels I have found that the incoming tide will have large mangrove and mutton snappers waiting for the bait to return into the bay. Normally I will anchor about 30 yards inside the entrance to the channel on the up current side and hang a bag of Menhaden "Tournament" Block Chum. Be sure to pick up a chum bag with the extra large holes to really get a chum line going. Today we found nice mangrove snappers up to 18" and Mutton Snappers up to about 4 pounds with a ton of little yellow tail snappers mixed in with the bunch. If you are going to try to do this yourself be sure there is plenty of current. As soon as the current dies down you should head south to another finger channel to get ahead of the tide. Now if its Grouper that is on the menu the first thing to remember is that a grouper loves to hang around structure. So what I like to do is slow cruise these finger channels on a clear day to find coral heads. Once you find one try to anchor up current about 30 yards and free-line a live pinfish on a circle hook and an egg sinker. The typical 20 Pound spinning gear should do the trick for the medium sized grouper. But just remember don't give them an inch because they will take a mile!
Tight Lines and Get Out There and Fish!
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
