Wow, this past week has been outstanding!
Light winds and calm seas have provided unlimited angling options, and the week ahead looks to provide more of the same.
Offshore the dolphin / mahi-mahi action is very good – if not excellent – with lots of quality fish in the 10 to 35-pound range being caught between 18 and 30 miles out. Work the weed lines, and as always, following small groups of birds working to the west are guaranteed to put you on the bigger fish.
If you’re lucky enough to be aboard a boat that finds a nice “floater” – a pallet, tree trunk or board – you can easily add triple tail and wahoo to the cooler as part of your day’s catch. The reef fishing last week was very good for yellow tail and mangrove snapper and will continue to be outstanding for the foreseeable future. The deeper edges of the reef in 75-90 feet depths are where you will find the bigger yellow tail snapper. The best mangrove snapper action will be found in slightly more shallow waters. The nighttime mangrove bite has bee pretty productive around the 40 to 55-foot depths.
The daytime mangrove snapper action is very good as well, but you need to get on the patch reefs. Best Bet captains have been putting anglers on small patches of hard coral bottom in in relatively shallow waters; this combination has certainly been producing the best daytime mangrove action. Always remember this: please anchor in the sand up current of the patches. Our coral is priceless.
Lobster hunters have been showcasing some great catches as well! However, it has slowed down a bit likely due to the bigger moon. Lobster generally will not walk when the moon is bright. Both lobster hunters and recreational divers are reporting that they’re spearing record numbers of lionfish; great news, and let’s please continue to do so! There is no size limit. This is an unwanted invasive species that breeds rapidly and eats all our small tropical and non-tropical fish. Standing orders shoot on site!
Best Bet for the week ahead: Both offshore and reef trips are still producing some great angling action; you won’t be disappointed.
