We can catch Sailfish year-round here in Fort Lauderdale but as the winter months approach, this is the time that fishing for Sailfish really improves. Each cold blast from the north moves the baitfish south and the Sails are close behind. So being in position with the live baits out in the kites is where we fish these days.
But this kind of fishing takes patience. What might seem boring to a novice can become exciting in a mere second. And our group today had plenty of patience.
Susan, a native Floridian, was delighted just to be out on a boat without her 2 twin boys of 3 months. No surprise there. LOL Her husband Tom and his twin brother, Tim, rounded out our group and we immediately headed out to the grounds to deploy the kites. We also like to run a bottom bait and this time we set our sights big with a big bait. With the buffet now open? We waited…
Very few fish were being caught and little was being said on the radio but we knew this was our best shot. Something big was wanted and we love to please. Our first bite came on the bottom bait. Small fish had been picking at it, making the tip of the rod bounce. These little fish create noise which sometimes attracts a large fish to investigate and one did. The bite was fierce and bent the rod hard toward the water. But as we tried to set the hook, the line went slack and we had missed whatever had tried us. There were no teeth marks in what was left of our bait so that eliminates a shark.
We set another bottom bait but never got the chance to see if anything was around. One of our kite baits was going nuts and soon, A sailfish appeared beneath it. The bite was classic and we had our first fish on. We usually move the boat ahead to help get the slack out but we say still for this bite hoping for a second fish.
And as we set the hook on the first, a second one appeared and he too was hooked. We had to clear one of the kite baits to avoid a tangle but still had one out there and Tim and Tom began the battles.
When 2 fish are hooked at the same time, they always seem to go different directions. You have to choose one fish and go after him, just playing the other as you go. Direction, size of the fish and how much line is left on the reel are the determining factors. It took about 20 minutes to land the first fish and then we zeroed in on Tom's sail.
Remember that bait we still have out? Well, as Tom's fish is getting close to the boat, another Sailfish ate that last bait and we're back to 2 fish on at the same time. This third fish was landed by Susan after releasing the others.
So here's our crew, back at the dock with their Sailfish flags behind them. It went from waiting to sheer pandemonium in mere seconds. Our group did an excellent job of catching their respective fish and since these were their firsts? They all had to throw each other into the water as is the tradition. We cut them some slack and said they could do it in the pool at their hotel…
Sailfish fishing is improving off Fort Lauderdale. Expect it to get even better!
Capt. Steve Souther
Fort Lauderdale Off Shore Fishing Charters
www.fanntasticfishing.com
(954) 728-9880
