What’s biting the first week on January in South Florida? Sails? I’m trying to fit in a fishing trip while down there for the Orange Bowl. Anybody have any charter suggestions and any other tips?
268 Bluewater Key West
Twin 225 Yamahas
This is my first year down here, but supposedly sail action will be red hot by then. Most of the sailfish tournaments seem to be Dec-Feb. They are still catching a few dolphins too. The other thing that I am gearing up for is that there is supposed to be a strong wahoo bite in the bahamas as well. Not sure if they do day trip charters out of Miami to the Bahamas, but Bimini is only about 45-50 miles off Miami.
Also, I think that they still get the swords here then too. I’m pretty sure that you can do trips where you catch sails in the afternoon and drift for swords at night all in the same trip.
Sails will be firing off for sure, along a scattering of dolphin, blackfin, kings, and wahoo. If you are looking to fish out of Miami you can’t go wrong with Ray Rosher, Jimbo Thomas, Luis Dudas, or Jimmy David. Catching fish with them will be the easy part…finding an open date will be the challenge.
If you make the 1 hr drive down to the Keys you’ll find more good capts. George Mckelveen and Brian Cone, both out of Islamorada, are two I can personally vouch for.
Daytime swordfishing is also strong that time of year. Scott or Nick Styanzik are the local experts although a lot of other boats are also doing it now
The L&H with Capt. Jimmy David 305-361-9318 and Miss Britt with Capt. Ray Rosher 305-596-0419 in Miami. In Islamorada try The Relentless Capt. Paul Ross 305-853-5436 or Kalex Capt. Alex Adler 305-852-5084. I have been on all these boats can’t go wrong on any of these.
Be carefull who you charter in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area. There are a lot of rip off charters there. Bouncer Smith is about the best but he is almost always booked, especially for tarpon in Government Cut during the winter. Dennis Forgione is another reputable guide that wants to catch you fish. Google either one for information. As for day trips to Bimini, probably not. We use to do it all the time but the Bahamian licensing and customs clearance proceedures pretty much ended day trips.
sailfish bite is red hot and the trophy largmouth bite is on fire.
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