Offshore fishing slows down; some grouper, snapper caught

BY MARK HOUGHTALING

A general slow down in the fishing occurred this past weekend (Feb. 12-13).

Very little in the way of offshore fishing was happening off the Miami area. A handful of sailfish was caught along with an occasional dolphin and kingfish. A few boats reported a fairly good bottom bite for grouper and snapper but they were the exception not the rule.

James Piccolo (left) and Sam Piccolo hold a 15-pound mutton snapper caught on a live pilchard.

The weather conditions were not helping. Flat calm seas were encountered over the weekend. This time of the year better fishing is had during a windy blow from the north. However, many anglers were just happy to get out and enjoy the warm weather and flat calm conditions, and not be too concerned how many fish they caught.

Look for excellent sailfishing when we get the winds blowing from the north. Dolphin will start appearing more and more as we get closer to the springtime. Most of the dolphin that are found will probably be close in along the edge of the reefline. There were a few good runs of dolphin over the past week, but they were not sustained.

Amberjack will start making a strong showing on all the wrecks from Miami to the Keys. During February and March, amberjack start their migration to the "Hump" off Islamorada to spawn and take up residence on the artificial reefs along the way. Not the greatest eating fish but they will give your friends from the north a pull they will never forget.

Kingfish are still around. In fact, one angler reported catching a half dozen 20-plus-pound fish north of the Whistle Buoy off North Key Largo. He caught his fish slow trolling live blue runners on a downrigger. Sporadic kingfish action was found off Miami.

Tarpon are starting to show up inside Government Cut. Early morning and late afternoon can be very productive. Large live shrimp fished on a troll rite rig can be deadly. Look for the schools of fish at the end of the jetties inside the Cut.

Biscayne Bay Fly Shop, located at 8243 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami, will be hosting a Fly Fishing Seminar with Captain Rick Murphy, famous for his ESPN Sportsman's Adventures, on Mar. 11, time and price to be announced. And on Mar. 25 and 26, Chico Fernandez, renowned author and master fly-fisherman, will give a two-day, one-on-one, fly fishing class which will include breakfast and lunch both days. Cost will be $375. Every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. free fly tying classes will be given by resident expert Jesus Quintino.

For more information call 305-669-5851.

On Thursday nights, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Old Cutler Raw Bar, S. Dixie Highway and SW 184th Street, come listen to Fishing South Florida Style. This is an hour long live radio show hosted by Mike Pace, Captain Rob Fordyce, Captain Marty Locke, and Captain Mark Houghtaling. Offshore and inshore fishing topics are covered during the broadcast, and you can pick up a few tips from the hosts after the show. You also can catch the show on Thunder Country 100.3.

For free safe boating and personal watercraft classes call the Coast Guard Auxiliary at 305-820-8411 or the United States Power Squadron at 305-238-4807.

Captain Mark Houghtaling wants to hear from you. Send details on your latest catches and pictures to 15920 SW 85 Ave. Miami, FL 33157, or send e-mail to him at < magicfin@aol.com >. Captain Mark also has a charter fishing service. You can call him at 305-253-1151 or check out his Web page at < http://cyberangler.com/guides/houghtaling >.