I am fishing out of Haulover Marina today with Logan and Caleb , the full moon always makes daytime fishing interesting. Logan asked about Snook fishing I told him the inlets were out of the question because it was blowing 20 mph. We got some pilchards and were on our way, we chummed with them and had a giant fish busting behind us . Unfortunately it didn't eat our baits but we caught lots of Barracuda's and Jack's. We moved around from spot to spot and finally hooked a lost a small Snook and caught a nice one. It was only a half day trip so we moved around some. Our last spot was on fire, we missed a couple Snook bites. Logan caught back to back Groupers., first a Black and then a Gag both were quality fish after a few Jacks and Snappers we called it a day.
High winds have helped Snook bite!
I have had some really good days this week fishing Whitewater Bay and north to Ponce Bay. The reason for fishing Whitewater Bay is because the winds have been very strong @ 20+ mph and I've been on a really good patter. I have had my customers throwing Rapala Twitch n Raps and Shadow Raps and eventually using finger mullet and pilchards. This pattern has produced allot of Snook, Trout, and a few Redfish while looking for or fishing for Tarpon.
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Bob usually fishes with friend Charlie but his alarm didn't go off. Bob couldn't get a hold of him so he came alone. It wasn't windy this morning so I had big plans for Bob. We had and interesting day with lots of quality Snook, Trout, Jacks and Sharks. There was an hour of craziness with baits getting hit constantly on the change of tide. With a live well full of finger mullet the plan I had was changed by afternoon onshore wind which picked up to @ 20. We worked our way back thru Whitewater Bay and headed back.
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I am fishing Flamingo today with Ken, his son Nathan and his brother Dave. It is blowing 20 + this morningso we launched and headed back to Whitewater Bay. These guys were out for a day of fun and some dinner. We started out with some quality Trout so dinner was taken care. It was really windy so I couldn't find bait on my bait spot, not to worry I have a back up spot. I went looking for bait but wind was hurting us, so I said let cut up some ladyfish and try for a Redfish until bait shows up. We had a decent fish pick up our bait and it ran right by the boat, Ken picked up the rod and fought what ended up being about a 200 lb. Bull Shark for about 20 minutesbefore getting cut off next to the boat. While Ken was fighting the Shark the Tarpon started rolling all around us, I had the other guys start casting at them but they couldn't reach. The bait had got more active as we were waiting and a school of pilchard popped up, 1 toss with net and we were loaded up. They weren't really into the Tarpon but wanted to bend rods so that's what we did. I started to live chum and we had a few blow ups. The mullet schools were getting blown up an I set up and started to chum that spot. We really caught allot of fish there, It was 3 at a time . The bite was mostly Trout up to 23 inches but Ken caught a nice Redfish. The tide was getting right for another spot so we made a run. It didn't take long and the rods started to bend we caught a few big Jacks, had a couple more Sharks eat our baits and go for run and then a big Snook wrapped Dave around a tree. We were an hour north so we headed back towards the dock, we hit a bunch of spots with live chum. the game plan was to find some big fish with the bait but no luck and the guys were beat, time to go.
It's only going to get better in the next few months, if you want to get in on this action give me a call at 305 333 8149.
Captain Jim Hobales
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Tarpon time but Snook are biting!
I am down at Flamingo today with Zac, he is a guide on Lake Lanier. Zac wanted a Tarpon so we went tarpon fishing. We got on them really good he had one hit a Rapalaon one of his first cast., but kind of surprised by the hit. We cast at rolling Tarpon all morning and really never got a strike. The Trout, Jacks and Ladyfish busted up his lure and even lost a couple lures to Sharks. Zac only had a short day to fish so I didn't want him to leave with out seeing different parts of the park. I took him down a shore line and got a Snook and had a big Redfish tailing on the bank. He never got a clean shot at it because the Red was cruising in and out of some dead trees. It was getting late and I wanted him to get a little bit of Snook action so we hit one last spot. The tide was really running and we were casting at an edge and they were there. He got blasted a couple time and the Snook above was the results. He was throwing a Rapala "Twitch n Rap" and it was getting hit on every cast. Zac had a couple more blow ups and caught a couple 5 lb. Jacks to end the day on.
I am fishing with Roy and Ross today down at Flamingo. The wind was forecast to blow @ 20 mph today and we are fly fishing! The day started out with a double Ross had a Snook and Roy hooked a big Trout, this was Ross's first Snook. They kept casting but the wind was getting tough so I moved to a protected shoreline. We had a few hits and misses and Roy found a nice little Snook. The idea was Tarpon for the day so we moved on and looked for them. Spot after spot had wind blowing thru and the Tarpon weren't rolling. I gave them a choice east or west and gave them the scenarios, they chose east. I tried to put them on shorelines with the wind at their backs but it always seemed to come over their shoulder. Ross finally decided to fish a spinning rod and Roy kept up with the fly. We hit a bunch of fall downs and finally got a few more Snook while looking or Tarpon. We eventually got on the Tarpon rolling around us and once in a while blowing up on the surface. Ross kept throwing his Rapala and got blasted by a 90 lb. Tarpon which jumped 6 feet in the air. After a brief fight the Tarpon thru the lure. Roy had fish in front of him but never really got a great shot . I was throwing a bait that looks like a Ladyfish trying to figure out if the would eat anything else. It worked I had a Tarpon come up behind it and I had Roy throw his fly in there, it's funny it always works on T.V.. We stayed on them fish all day as did my friend across the way from us but they didn't turn on. We made our way back and hit a few more spots but no luck. I can tell you Roy wore himself out casting into the wind all day, I know he slept good.
The bite is pretty good right now and should only get better thru the next few months. The wind will hopefully start laying down soon although the Snook have been feeding off the points in the back country because of the wind. The Tarpon are here, the Snook are biting and I really haven't even Red fished lately so that tells you how good its been. If you like casting and hooking fish that make your reels sing give me a call at 305 333 8149
Captain Jimbo
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Caught lookin charters
Cold and wet today!
I am with Pam Marmin and her friend Kathy from Colorado today. Kathy fly fishes in the rivers out west but has never fished here . We went back country this morning because I have been doing well back there. The morning started out with some Trout in the 17 inch range much bigger than the ones Kathy catches out west. Pam and Kathy were hooking fish left and right Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish and Snappers. Kathy was constant with her fly rod and caught 2 fish in the back country I had never caught before. She caught 2 Lane Snappers which aren't common back here. We went looking for Snook and Pam hooked a big one n a Shadow Rap, she stuck it good but it still thru the hook. We moved on and found some Pilchards and netted them. I ran down the coast and fished the pilchards until the light started. The weather was getting colder and there was some serious rain on the way. We started to head in but stopped a couple times on the way. We pitched some pilchards up into a tree and bam Kathy was hooked up to a her first Snook. We fished really hard but even with the pilchards we couldn't get the fish to eat. We were soaked and cold so we headed in and it was in a driving rain. As it always works out when we got to the ramp the sun came out.
2 Grand Slams, awesome day!
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I am Flamingo with Scott and Sean today, we are fishing the Whitewater Bay back country because the winds are up out front. We started out with a couple small Tarpon and were on our way. On our second stop we got into a few Snook and a bunch of Trout, Mangroves and Ladyfish on Rapala's. We were throwing Twitchin Raps and Shadow Raps and the bite was on fire. We already had Snook, Tarpon and Trout and it was 9:30 we went looking for Redfish! We rigged up some Gulp Shrimp on 1/8 ounce jigs and went fishing the fall downs. Scott was first with a 22 inch Redfish and then Sean hooked up right after with another 23 inch Redfish. We got back to looking for Snook and Sean got another good one on a Gulp. We ran out into the Gulf of Mexico looking for some big Tarpon and we found them. We were casting at them with assorted lures and also put out a live mullet, they stayed just out of range. One of our mullet got picked up and scaled but because of the wind and the bow in the line we never saw the bite. We had one good bite there and it was a big Sawfish, 3o minutes and a break off we headed in. We made one last stop, we were back to Shadow Raps and Scott was hooked up with a big Snook. This fish was hot and trying to get back into the trees and thru the lure after a minute. I rigged a live mullet and handed the rod to Sean, he made the cast into the tree we were fishing and was on! Another big fish Sean got him next to the boat and we landed it and took some pictures. We made a few more cast and the Trout bite was insane ,we caught Trout 3 at a time for 30 minutes with the occasional Snook. It was 5 pm and time to go, Great day with 2 great brothers.
Incredible action!
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I am with Bill, Craig and Leon today and its windy again, we are in the Whitewater Bay back country. The day started off quickly with Leon putting 6 fish in the boat before the other guys, the reason I know is he kept letting them know! It was competitive between them and the fish were cooperating. We had a nice bite of Snook, Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish, and Snappers all on Twitchin Raps and Shadow Raps. It wasn't 10 o'clock and we already caught allot of fish. We found some mullet and went looking for a Tarpon. We got out into the Gulf of Mexico and put out a live finger mullet and within3 minutes we had a giant Tarpon hooked up. We did not know what it was for 30 minutes because it never came up, but it made some runs that gave it away. Eventually it jumped , it was a big Tarpon. Only half the Tarpon jumped out, it couldn't get up out of the water. Bill did a good job and 1 hour and 20 minutes later we got it up next to boat for some photos. We had some fish hit our mullet but some how not get hooked up, we watched as a big Snook hit he mullet 3 times and never ate it. We missed a Tarpon and another Snook didn't understand how they could keep missing the baits? The guys were bet and called it d.ay
Fishing Florida Bay
I am fishing Flamingo today with Perry and his son ALy today, I decided to fish Florida bay because the Whitewater Bay side was packed. We started out catching bait (pinfish and Pilchards). The first spot I went to had no water so I ran out west to catch incoming tide and caught some Trout,Jacks and Ladyfish. We set up a nice drift with baits out and Tarpon rolling all around us but no takers, the Sharks usually will eat all your baits but not today. We ran out and looked for some Tripletails on the crab traps and we found some. They weren't giants but most were around the keeper size. I think teaching people how find and catch Tripletails is one of the easiest things I do. Most people really get into looking for them and when they spot one they feel like they really helped out. This was the case today once Perry got the hang of it he felt like a pro we hooked a bunch and Ali got a really good one for dinner. We moved on and went looking for Redfish and Snook . The tide was moving in but the bite really wasn't on yet, Perry says I got one! His line moving and pulling some drag . I sat there watching as the Redfish came up to the surface with a 8 foot Bull Shark right behind him that ate him. Man that's always disappointing! We kept at it and ALy was casting a new Arashi Top water lure I just got. It got slammed and we couldn't make out what it was at first all we saw was the flash. A couple minutes later a big Trout comes to the surface and then had another on come up on it. This was it for the day, the winds just picked up to 25 mph and there is no more bite. I ran back to Flamingo but high winds and muddy water just di not help us out. It was late and we called it a day.
The fish are here but the conditions keep changing , so everyday has been different. I don't mind to much but its hard to pattern them right now. They will settle in here by mid April, everyone is in Tarpon mode right now but I've been doing little of everything. If bending the rods are what you are looking for give me a call at 305 333 8149.
Birthday Fishing for Mario Jr.
I am fishing with Mario Hernandez today, he is of my best friends and surprised his son for his birthday, he is with Omar and his son little Omar. I've been fishing with Mario for 20 plus years we have caught allot of fish together but today I have to do it for his son. All Mario Jr. wanted a Snook for his birthday! We are in Whitewater Bay looking for his Snook but also a big Tarpon. On our second stop it all came together, on Jr. first cast he hooked a big Snook. He fought it for a few minutes and as it got close to the boat it jumped off. Man was he bummed. On his next cast he was hooked up again only to a Trout this time. The next 45 minutes was non stop hook ups 3 and 4 at a time. They worked the spot hoping for a second Snook but it didn't happen. We spotted some diving pelicans so we went and netted some finger mullet that the Tarpon might eat. We moved on running North and kept hitting all my spots although the Snook weren't eating. Mario Jr. casting for Snook hooked a 13 inch Mangrove that fought pretty hard, while Omar Jr. was catching Ladyfish. We moved out to the Gulf of Mexico looking for the incoming tide and hit some creeks. There wasn't much going on until the tide started moving and then we got into the Trout again. it was time to go but Mario Jr. had to make one more cast, don't you know he hooked another Snook. He was a little excited and maybe forced it a bit and the fish came off again. I ran to a flat and tried pulling the fish out of the trees by using cut Ladyfish, after 20 minutes the line started to move slowly. This was definitely not a Redfish, I said its probably a Sting Ray. The rod doubled over and Mario Jr. got the rod and fought the big Ray to the boat. We kept at it and shortly after Omar Jr. caught his a Redfish. We moved around some and found the big Tarpon laid up on the surface. By now the winds had came up out of the west and these fish weren't playing. We sat there for 1 1/2 hours casting at them with lures, live Mullet and tiny Ladyfish and there was no interest. It was a shame because that would of topped off our day. on the was in I stopped at a couple other spots still hoping for 1 Snook. Mario Jr. hooked a big Snook this time it came up shook its head and was gone. I told them 1 last spot its getting late, Mario Jr. makes a long cast and get's hit again, this time the fish runs into a tree and bust us off. Everyone is bummed about loosing a couple Snook but we had a great day of action. These kids will be hooked on fishing for life!
Two Boat Family Trip
I am down at Flamingo today part of a 2 boat family trip, I have Pete and Katie on my boat, their 3 sons are on Capt. Alan Sherman's boat. We didn't start out until 10 a.m. and by then the wind was up around 20-25 mph and if that wasn't enough a massive line of showers came thru. We fished hard looking for anything but because it was only a 4 hour trip we didn't want to waste time running around. We found some protection in spots that have produced fish for years but not today. It took 3 and a half hours to finally find some fish but when we did it put smiles on their face. We had a couple live shrimp get eaten by Redfish but unfortunately they came off. Pete hooked a Snook which jumped off, all I 'm thinking is "man just give them one fish". Capt. Alan pulled up as we missed a fish and asked if I wanted to try a Pilchard, it was automatic Snook on! This put smiles on every ones faces it wasn't a giant but it was one. We took some pictures and released the 21 inch Snook. It was time to go but I said give me another Pilchard. We pitched it back in the area and hooked another Snook, this one was bigger and not happy. He pulled for a minute and decided he was finished throwing the bait. We called it a day they were on vacation from Chicago and got terrible fishing weather while here, the day before it was really rough offshore.
Fishing Down at Flamingo
I am fishing down at Flamingo today with Fred and Gus. I was hoping for pretty calm day but when I pulled up I noticed the flag was stiff with a strong wind blowing. We launched the boat In Whitewater Bay and went looking for Tarpon, the wind wasn’t so bad first thing. On our first stop we had some Tarpon rolling around the boat. Gus had one roll up on his lure but miss it right next to the boat. We moved on and caught a few good Snook and big Trout on every cast for 40 minutes.
We got to the Tarpon area 8:30 and it didn’t take long , Fred hooked a giant @150lbs. and fought it for a minute but then the big girl thru the lure. We had 6 or 7 Tarpon roll up and hit lure but ever take it. I kept changing lures and they seemed to respond tothe deeper divers worked slow. Gus was next, his drag was screaming and a really big Tarpon came out of the water straight up in the air. The lure went 20 feet higher than the fish did, this was Gus first Tarpon, pretty cool! We kept casting at fish in the area and had a handful more short strikes and boils.
Tarpon Were in the Air
This morning I am fishing out of Government Cut with long time client Sam Rose and his grand daughter Natalie. I had got out early netted some Pilchards and picked them up at 8a.m.. We ran to Government Cut and on first drop on the north jetty we had a double Tarpon hook up, both rods doubled over and two 20 lb. Tarpon were in the air. Natalie’s came off and then Sam’s fish was also gone it happened so quick they didn’t know how to react. We had caught the tide perfect and got those hookups right before it went slack. It was getting a little sloppy so we ran inside to try bending the rods. The bite was non existent so we ran down to Key Biscayne and found some Tarpon but no bites. We went to Bear Cut bridge and found some more Tarpon. We put out our baits and had a few Jacks eat them, then we had a different type of bite. The rod doubled over and Natalie was holding on, when she finally got the fish to the surface to my surprise it was a Flounder! We took some photo’s and weighed it was 3.8 lbs. it was going to be Sam’s lunch. We mad a run back to Government Cut and had 2 good bites both came off so we called it a da.
Fishing with the Nephews
I am fishing with my nephew’s Mark and Andrew today , we are in Whitewater Bay and off course it really windy. Mark runs my Instagram account so I pay him by fishing! On our first stop we looked for Tarpon in a spot that’s usually unfished. We did have one Tarpon blow up a school of Mullet but that’s all, Mark caught a big Mangrove Snapper on a Shadow Rap. We moved on and worked a typical fall down in the back country which was loaded with Snook, Snapper and Jacks. I told them we are going to fish stuff I normally don’t fish today and it paid off with a bunch of Snook and a lost big Redfish. By 1 o’clock the bite had slowed down and the winds were cranking 25 + so we called it a day.
Springtime Tarpon are here!
I have had some computer and website issues plus throw in some really strange weather so the reports haven been posted. The fishing has taken off in last few weeks with Tarpon making a great showing. The Tarpon fishing has come alive in Whitewater Bay, off of Cape Sable and in Miami / Biscayne Bay. The Snook and Trout fishing in the Whitewater Bay has been pretty good as well, not to many monster’s but lots of fish!
I am fishing Flamingo today with Chris Peterson his grand daughter Blue and her friend Gabby. We started out in Whitewater Bay because it was blowing 25 mph+. I told Chris it was going to be tough, he said he new Blue is only here for a couple days. Chris has called me the last couple years to fish with his granddaughters and they are really into it. We started out with some Trout, Jacks and Ladyfish. We looked for Tarpon but with all the white caps it was tough to see and uncomfortable. We moved around looking for protection, the wind seemed to come thru just about everywhere. We set up using Ladyfish chunks out on the coast and had a few bites the best was a 6 lb. Redfish.
Trout fishing
I am at Flamingo again today with Thomas and his 2 friends Scott and Mark. They are from Australia and haven’t seen each other for a while. I am starting out late again today which I don’t typically do but it is still a bit cold and its 12 o’clock. We started off with a great Trout bite close to Flamingo, we are only a half our into the trip and got more fish than the day before. I said let’s try something different and ran west to East Cape again. We sat in there again today and watched as the other boats caught nothing. We had a Black Drum and a Jack and I couldn’t take it anymore. I moved around and kept running into other guides all with the same “no bite info”. I said, lets go and I ran until I found clean water all the way out at Sandy Key. The Trout bite was good and they were happy as they killed a case of beer and caught up with some great stories. The Aussies are truly story tellers!
We ran back towards Flamingo in some nasty north chop but they continued to drink beer and tell stories, we made a couple more stops caught more Trout, Jacks and Ladyfish.
It was time to go and we made the best of a tough day!
The last few days were tough but hopefully we will get to some stable weather conditions soon. The big Tarpon should make their way into the back country as soon as we get a week of warm weather. This is something every angler need to experience in their, life big fish on light gear or fly rods.
We have Tarpon on all of Miami Beach, the early morning and late afternoon bite has been good and getting better the next few months. Flamingo, Whitewater Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are all reachable by driving thru Everglades National Park. It is one of the coolest places you can fish! if you would like to try give me a call at 305 333 8149.
Captain Jimbo
Fishing Flamingo with Friends
I'm fishing Flamingo today with Richard, Gus and Melissa. Richard is getting married tomorrow so this is his bachelor party. Gus is his best friend and Melissa is his daughter.
It is cold and there’s a pretty strong wind out of the North there is no water anywhere. We didn’t get out until about 9 a.m. We ran out west hoping to find so fish in the deeper water of East Cape Canal but we fished some big shrimp on the bottom and there were no takers. We sat around a few other boats and it was Catfish after Catfish for them. This was short day so I had to find them something to bend the rods. I found some cleaner water and ended up catching some Trout on live shrimp and Gulp shrimp but Richard had to get back.
Our weather is still better than every where else!
I am fishing with Sam Rose and his son Mike today. I picked them up at the Fischer Island dock at 8 a.m. to go Tarpon fishing. There is a pretty good size swell rolling in on South Beach and Mike was uncomfortable. We moved to the south side of the jetties and it didn’t take long and we were hooked up to something really pulling drag. Mike hung on but the fish kept running towards the Government Cut, we got on top and followed it but somehow we got to much slack in the line and it was over. The next drift produced a nice Spanish Mackerel but it was time to try something else.
I rigged up a RapalaCD 11 Magnum and trolled some deeper drop offs for Groupers, Snappers or anything that pulls. On our first pass the rod doubles over and there’s a giant Fish crashing on the surface! Mike gets on the rod and starts cranking then this giant Tarpon come out of the water really pissed because the treble hooks really stuck him. This fish is going crazy about 100 yards behind the boat. The Tarpon make a short run and skyrockets in the air landing on the line breaking us off. Mike is a Bass fisherman so to say he was excited is an under statement. He asked how big was that Tarpon? All I could say was giant at least 150 plus. He didn’t stop talking about it the rest of the morning and the Trout we were catching after that meant nothing. He asked if we could try trolling the plug again and we did. This time it was a much different bite most probably a Grouper but we will never know, because it the one that got away. Sam said I’m hungry take me home!
Weird Winter Weather!
The first month of the new year has been a bit different, some cold days, plenty of rainy days and lots of windy days. With that we persevere and constantly change our game plans. The biggest plus for me and other south Florida guides is we have a couple great places to fish when conditions hurt your plans. This time of year we get plenty of S.W. To N. W. winds which allow us to fish the beaches from Haulover to Government Cut for Tarpon. If the winds are blowing hard out of the easterly direction that means Flamingo down in Everglades National Park is an option, especially on the weekends. We always have a place to fish even when the winds reach the 30+ range.
The fishing can be good from deep in the Flamingo back country for Snook or right off of Miami Beach for big Tarpon. The afternoon Tarpon bite is good an will continue thru June off of Miami Beach. The daytime fishing on Miami Beach can be productive as well for numerous species. The good bite coincides with spring break and mild temperatures. If you find this interesting and would like to give it a try give me a call at 305 333 8149.
Capt. Jimbo
Catching Snook, Redfish more Trout and Ladyfish
I am at Flamingo today fishing with Brian and Dave, I decided to go into the backcountry because the fishing has been good. I knew it was going to be a good day when both guys walk up with a 12 pack of beer. These guys were on a break from work and wanted to get away. We worked our way north thru a dense fog which lasted until 9 a.m.. We hit all kind of islands waiting for the fog to lift. I thought the action might of been a little better but we worked for every fish. We found some pilchards on a tree and I netted them and we started to live bait fish along with casting Rapala Shadow Raps. They wore out the Jacks Trout and Ladyfish which they were fine with but I wanted more. We hit some great areas catching Snook, Redfish more Trout and Ladyfish. They were happy and I had them throwing Rapala Skitter Walks on the incoming tide on a shallow bank. There was some blow ups on the shore line but we only managed 1 hit and hooked a Bull Shark. They said were ready to go , I was disappointed and said “how about 1 more spot”. They were done that’s always a good sign!
Confusing Conditions!
I am with fishing out of Haulover marina today with some of my Canadian friends Jean-Paul and Claude I play golf with. Jean-Paul told me his grandson Mike was coming in and loved to fish. A cold front past thru last night and it’s windy, rough and cold. These guys are from Canada so it don’t bother them.
We ran down to Government Cut but it was a little to rough for them. We made our way to the Trout flats and had a great morning. We got into a fantastic bite of Trout they were coning into the boat 4 at a time. JP and Claude were catching there own fish and I was helping Mike. I would cast and hook one and pass him the rod. Before he could get it in I would have another one hooked up. we did this for 2 hours, that kid was worn out. There were some Ladyfish up to 3 lbs. mixed in so it made it allot of fun . They caught Snappers , Jacks, Blue Runners, and Cuda’s.
