Sailfish season has arrived! After weeks of weather more like May than January, the season has arrived. We had 20 knot Southeast winds and a strong north current on the 6th of February. These conditions resulted in the Assarian anglers catching 5 sailfish, 2 dolphin and a shark.
On the 7th the wind died and the current slowed a little, but Carey Rochester was able to catch 2 sailfish, 2 dolphin and a shark.
We went night swordfish angling on the 8th. The conditions were very good with calm seas and a good north current, but fishing was slow resulting in one bite. We had the fish on for about a minute before it slipped the hook.
On Saturday, the 9th and Sunday the 10th we were fishing with the Kentucky Boys. Buck Brennan , Mike Daleo, Howard Harmon and Mike Cassell were ready for some sailfish. Saturday was flat calm, but down off Elliot Key the current was racing north at 2.5 knots. There all 4 guys caught their first sailfish. 3 of these fish were near 60 pounds, while Buck scored with a beautiful little 8 or 9 pound 4 foot youngster.
Sunday was electrifying when you talk about sailfish conditions. When we finished catching herring for bait the wind was blowing from the north at about 20 knots. The current was running north at about 2.5 knots in 160 feet of water. Within 15 minutes Buck was hooked up with his first big sailfish. As the sun set in the west, the guys had caught 9 of 18 sailfish that appeared under the kites. For spice they added 3 dolphin, 4 bonito and 2 sharks.
I think sailfish season has arrived. With high winds from the Northeast through Monday and even higher east winds on Tuesday we should be locked in on winter sailfish and tarpon season when the seas subside on Wednesday. I can't wait to get out there to see.
We have the big Miami International Boat Show this week. I will be at the Dusky Booth Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th. I will be in the Big Game Room of the Boat Show talking fishing at noon both days. We will be in the Big Game Room Thursday the 14th around 5 PM for a very special event in my life. We will be at The Billfish Foundation party at The Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club the evening of the 15th. And the rest of the month we will be out there catching fish.
Mark your calendar for March. I will be teaching Kite Fishing at the IGFA on March 4th and Wreck Fishing on the 18th. I will be at Bass Pro Shop in Dania on the 7th talking bottom fishing. On the 8th I will repeat this class at Bass Pro at the Dolphin Mall. On March 19th I will be at Dusky Sport Center talking about the Spring Big Dolphin Action. This will be about how to score with big dolphin. Give them a call at 954-922-8890 for any details.
It is prime time for sailfish, grouper and tarpon. If the weather is good it is tops for swordfish as well. Get out there and catch those fish. Enjoy the fish and share that joy with a new or young angler. Call me at 305-439-2475 or e-mail me at captbouncer@bellsouth.net if I can help.