Fishing Reports
Back In Action
Report Date: July 31, 2017
After a great two-week vacation with the family we are now back and fishing already. I also got the new Mercury Verado motors installed and are ready for another season. Before I left we had mostly mahi trips in the Gulfstream and also one daytime swordfish trip. Since I have been back we did a few mahi trips and also a trip on the edge.
To start, the mahi fishing this year has been phenomenal. Last year we had an extremely slow mahi season but this year is the exact opposite. The mahis we have been catching have been mostly schoolies, but we are finding multiple schools every day and there have been quite a few fish in each school. The past few trips the fish have been quite a ways offshore and that is typical as we get into August. Sometimes it is not uncommon to have to go 20 to 25 miles offshore to find them this time of year. Although the schools are mostly made up of smaller schoolie fish (2- 5 pounds) it is not uncommon to find a few bigger ones (20 — 40 pounds), especially on the outside edges of the schools. If you also find the mahis under a piece of debris like wood or bamboo, there is a good chance you will find a wahoo lurking deep under the debris. The past few days, the mahis have been on big patches of Sargasso weed. We have also found a few schools by finding either frigate birds or small terns diving.
I mentioned we did a day sword trip but unfortunately we did not get one that day, and even though we had great presentation (no tangles, etc.) we never even got a bite that day. Not catching a swordfish on every trip is not uncommon, but you would at least hope to get a bite or two. The day swordfishing has been very hit or miss lately with some days you hear of boats catching 2 and 3 a day, but then you also hear of days when nobody gets a bite. I am still keeping my fingers crossed that the fall will bring more fish into our waters and not getting a bite will be a distant memory.
Our last trip we spent half a day on the edge. We trolled a bit in the morning and caught quite a few kingfish and some bonitos. We then live bait drift fished and caught quite a few more bonitos. It was solid action for a half-day trip with some young kids on board. It was just what the doctor ordered.
This week we have a mahi trip scheduled, then are heading to Bimini for a few days. Once we get back we have more trips for mahis and a trip on the edge. Although we are just entering August, I am already scheduling fall and winter wahoo trips, which typically start in September. I already have a number a daytime sword trips booked. I am also scheduling winter sailfish trips. This year I will be available for a few more sailfish tournaments. I am already committed to Operation Sailfish in December in Palm Beach and the Jimmy Johnson tournament in Key Largo in March. That means that me and the boat will be available for a few sailfish tournaments this upcoming season. If you are interested please give me a call.
If you haven’t gotten out to fish for mahis this summer, schedule your trip now before the season is over. I know it can get hot, but there is almost always a breeze on the water to cool you down. Also regardless of where and whom you are fishing with, bring lots of liquids and keep yourself well hydrated in this heat!
Tight Lines,
Capt. Dean Panos