Fort Lauderdale Fishing Reports

Springtime is my favorite season of the year for fishing in Ft. Lauderdale. Although it is still very early in the season, I have definitely noticed an increase in the numbers of some of our targeted species. As we progress further into the season the action will continue to pick up and become consistent. Kingfishing has already improved as and we catching them on most every trip now. Dolphin Mahi - Mahi are being caught in close to shore as well as offshore when sea conditions allow us to venture out in search of the feeding schools. Blackfin Tuna are starting to move into the area as well. This past week I took out Dan & Carol Bell along with their friends Gayle & Don Banks from Kansas. They were spending the day fishing before boarding Carnival Cruise Lines at Port Everglades for a Caribbean cruise. Dan is a hunting guide back home in Kansas, and provides his clients with some of the best hunting the state has to offer. If you like to hunt check out his website at www.bellwildlife.com  I was especially interested in hearing about Dan’s involvement with Pass It On - Outdoor Mentor Program. Teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters Pass It On finds mentors for children who want to experience the great outdoors. Dan and his party had a great day on the water catching Dolphin (Mahi - Mahi) and Kingfish. Fishing around the Tenneco artificial reef off Hollywood Beach, Dan hooked up on a nice Wahoo. Just as the fish came to the surface a few feet from the boat we saw his unmistakable neon blue stripes as he shook his head and spit the spoon back at us while he went on about his way. I don’t know who was more disappointed Dan or I, as I hate to loose one that close to the boat.

Don & Gayle Banks with friends Carol & Don Bell

Yesterday the weather was windy and rainy for Kiel Pierce, Tommy Pierce, Greg Cameron and Dwayne Bell. We started out kitefishing off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale in about 350′ of water. A soon after a Dolphin (mahi - mahi) was seen chasing the short kite bait. Out of the release clip the line pops and Greg is hooked up. After a short fight the Mahi is put in the box. A couple of minutes later the short kite bait again gets hit and Greg is on again this time a large Barracuda is landed. After another drift without any hits we decide to troll the reef line. Trolling seems to be the ticket and we put a few Kings in the boat. About this time we decide to head further offshore to look for Dolphin (Mahi - Mahi). Rain is now moving in and everyone is huddled under the hardtop looking for shelter. Of course that’s when the Blackfin Tuna hits. Kiel grabs the trolling rod and fights his fish out in the driving rain. Kiel has the tuna hooked good and he is gaffed and dropped into the box. Tuna steaks are on the menue tonight. We head for the inlet after a great day of  Ft. Lauderdale  fishing.

Greg Cameron holds a big Barracuda he caught kitefishing