“Capt.” John Dovel (second from left) treated locals Derrick Bunch, Greg D’Agostino and Larry Smorgala to a great day of dolphin fishing aboard the Best Bet with Capt. Jason Long.
As the 4th of July fireworks fade into recent memory the fishing action on our local waters continues to stay red hot!
The offshore action remains outstanding with dolphin and black fin tuna stealing the show. Expect to run the 20 or so miles to the Marathon humps for the best of the black fin action. The usual methods of capture still apply jigging with butterfly jigs, trolling with small feathers or Billy baits and live baiting.
Gene and Rolla Cherry from Tampa proudly display their catch of summertime dolphin with Capt. Bobby Manske this week.
Just a little further offshore, lots of good size dolphins are still pouring through Florida Keys waters. While the majority of dolphins are in the 8- to 15-pound range, there are lots of bigger fish up to 35 pounds coming through the same area. Small groups of birds working to the west will put you on the big boys. Trolling ballyhoo will get the job done, and pitching live pinfish on spinning rods to those fish that are less than eager to eat will help you fill the cooler more quickly.
JW Drott landed this nice mutton snapper while fishing off Marathon in 160 feet of water.
Closer to home the snapper action on the reef is very good with great catches of quality size yellowtail snapper; mix in a couple of grouper or mutton snapper, and it makes for a great morning. The nighttime mangrove snapper action continues to get better with each passing night and will continue to do so for the next month or so.
The tarpon action is beginning to slow down a bit. However, expect a rally in the next two weeks up to and through the full moon as there are still quite a few tarpon in our area.
Best Bet for the week ahead: Get on the water and enjoy the outstanding fishing available this time of year. Yes, it is that good!
