eep-dropping to help bring in any passing dolphin.
Action on the reef
On the reef, Capt. Chan Warner aboard the Gulfstream out of Key Largo Fisheries reported some great yellowtail action this past week, both day and night. Fishing around Molasses Reef out in 120 feet of water has led to some nice flags filling up the cooler, along with a pretty consistent bite of mutton snapper.
The mangrove snapper bite has slowed a bit this past week, but a few nice keepers are still being caught. Capt. Chan says that when the current is light he mostly fishes the bottom for muttons and grouper, but when the current picks up he switches to yellowtail mode. Sand balls mixed with chum dropped back into the current and free-lined until they get a bite has been a proven time-honored method for catching yellowtail snapper.
The oceanside flats around Islamorada are full of big schools of pilchards found sprinkling the surface during the early hours of the mornings. Guides that have been filling their live wells with pilchards have been catching lots of snapper, sea trout, and even a few snook.
Strong showing out back
Out back the reports continue to be very positive. Spanish mackerel have made a strong showing around the outer banks of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. Anchoring and chumming is all it takes to bring in the fish. Try fishing with long-shank hooks and light leaders; this will help prevent cutoffs from these toothy critters that tend to shy away from wire leaders.
During your runs out to the mackerel grounds keep a sharp eye on the passing lobster trap buoys for tripletail. Live shrimp is the bait of choice for those wishing to take home a tripletail dinner.
Permit reports remain consistent on the western side of Florida Bay patrolling the dropoffs of banks and flats searching for live crabs either floating on the surface or scurrying around on the bottom. There have been a few tarpon caught as of late but mostly in the small to medium range, feeding around passes and channels during the lower stages of the tides.
Those of you who know me, know that to me, fishing is more than just a game. It is a way of life. So fish hard and fish often!
Capt. Mike Makowski is a backcountry fishing guide and owner of Blackfoot Charters in Key Largo. His column appears biweekly. To send him fishing reports or photos, e-mail captmikemakowski@yahoo.com or call (305) 481-0111.
http://www.islamoradasportfishing.com/keys_fishing_news/index.htm
Top 10 Fishing Vacations - Africa / Middle East
Click here to find out more! Africa and the Nile Valley was where it all started. The earliest forms of fishing happened here and evolved into what they are today. On both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean sides of the continent there are growing infrastructures for fishermen looking to catch the vast amounts of Marlin and sailfish here, while the Cape has long been a fascinating spot to pull in marlin and sharks. Inland, lakes dominated by Nile Perch are still a good bet, although pollution and over fishing are a major concern.
1. Mombasa, Kenya
The waters surrounding Mombasa are one of the world's bets for deep sea fishing. Whether you're after big game such as Marlin or fly fishing for Sailfish and Dorado you won't be disappointed.
2. Cape Verde Islands
This string of islands 380 miles off the African coast are one of the most consistent Blue Marlin catching grounds in the world.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
The Cape is prime fishing ground. Not only is it one of the bets spots to catch Yellowfin Tuna, often weighing as much as 80 kilograms, but Dorado, and Blue and Mako Sharks can be caught as well.
4. Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Angling for the elusive Tiger Fish while watching lions, hippos, and other Big Game swim from island to island is just one of the many wonders of this fascinating man-made lake.
5. Lake Nassar, Egypt
Giant Vundu catfish, Tiger fish, Nile Perch, and Tilapia make this mostly untouched lake one of the greatest freshwater destinations worldwide.
6. Zanzibar, Tanzania
There's good sport fishing year round, some of the best in Africa. Go for Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Striped, Blue, and Black Marlin.
7. Luana, Angola
The world record Atlantic Sailfish was caught here in 1994. Chances are there are others like it. Good luck.
8. Mauritius
Everything from Black Marlin and Mako Sharks to Skipjack Tuna can be caught off this island in the Indian Ocean.
9. Lake Victoria, Kenya
Lake Victoria is the world's second largest freshwater lake. It's roughly the size of Ireland and filled with Tilapia and Nile Perch, although the catches are getting smaller and smaller.
10. Dubai
When not skiing indoors or staying at a seven star hotel, try your hand at fishing in the Gulf for Sailfish, Spanish mackerel, Dorado, Grouper, and Snapper.
http://www.iexplore.com/activity/Fishing/Africa;$sessionid$XN4RMLYAABJOWP2MN5XCGWQ
eep-dropping to help bring in any passing dolphin.
Action on the reef
On the reef, Capt. Chan Warner aboard the Gulfstream out of Key Largo Fisheries reported some great yellowtail action this past week, both day and night. Fishing around Molasses Reef out in 120 feet of water has led to some nice flags filling up the cooler, along with a pretty consistent bite of mutton snapper.
The mangrove snapper bite has slowed a bit this past week, but a few nice keepers are still being caught. Capt. Chan says that when the current is light he mostly fishes the bottom for muttons and grouper, but when the current picks up he switches to yellowtail mode. Sand balls mixed with chum dropped back into the current and free-lined until they get a bite has been a proven time-honored method for catching yellowtail snapper.
The oceanside flats around Islamorada are full of big schools of pilchards found sprinkling the surface during the early hours of the mornings. Guides that have been filling their live wells with pilchards have been catching lots of snapper, sea trout, and even a few snook.
Strong showing out back
Out back the reports continue to be very positive. Spanish mackerel have made a strong showing around the outer banks of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. Anchoring and chumming is all it takes to bring in the fish. Try fishing with long-shank hooks and light leaders; this will help prevent cutoffs from these toothy critters that tend to shy away from wire leaders.
During your runs out to the mackerel grounds keep a sharp eye on the passing lobster trap buoys for tripletail. Live shrimp is the bait of choice for those wishing to take home a tripletail dinner.
Permit reports remain consistent on the western side of Florida Bay patrolling the dropoffs of banks and flats searching for live crabs either floating on the surface or scurrying around on the bottom. There have been a few tarpon caught as of late but mostly in the small to medium range, feeding around passes and channels during the lower stages of the tides.
Those of you who know me, know that to me, fishing is more than just a game. It is a way of life. So fish hard and fish often!
Capt. Mike Makowski is a backcountry fishing guide and owner of Blackfoot Charters in Key Largo. His column appears biweekly. To send him fishing reports or photos, e-mail captmikemakowski@yahoo.com or call (305) 481-0111.
http://www.islamoradasportfishing.com/keys_fishing_news/index.htm
Top 10 Fishing Vacations - Africa / Middle East
Click here to find out more! Africa and the Nile Valley was where it all started. The earliest forms of fishing happened here and evolved into what they are today. On both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean sides of the continent there are growing infrastructures for fishermen looking to catch the vast amounts of Marlin and sailfish here, while the Cape has long been a fascinating spot to pull in marlin and sharks. Inland, lakes dominated by Nile Perch are still a good bet, although pollution and over fishing are a major concern.
1. Mombasa, Kenya
The waters surrounding Mombasa are one of the world's bets for deep sea fishing. Whether you're after big game such as Marlin or fly fishing for Sailfish and Dorado you won't be disappointed.
2. Cape Verde Islands
This string of islands 380 miles off the African coast are one of the most consistent Blue Marlin catching grounds in the world.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
The Cape is prime fishing ground. Not only is it one of the bets spots to catch Yellowfin Tuna, often weighing as much as 80 kilograms, but Dorado, and Blue and Mako Sharks can be caught as well.
4. Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Angling for the elusive Tiger Fish while watching lions, hippos, and other Big Game swim from island to island is just one of the many wonders of this fascinating man-made lake.
5. Lake Nassar, Egypt
Giant Vundu catfish, Tiger fish, Nile Perch, and Tilapia make this mostly untouched lake one of the greatest freshwater destinations worldwide.
6. Zanzibar, Tanzania
There's good sport fishing year round, some of the best in Africa. Go for Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Striped, Blue, and Black Marlin.
7. Luana, Angola
The world record Atlantic Sailfish was caught here in 1994. Chances are there are others like it. Good luck.
8. Mauritius
Everything from Black Marlin and Mako Sharks to Skipjack Tuna can be caught off this island in the Indian Ocean.
9. Lake Victoria, Kenya
Lake Victoria is the world's second largest freshwater lake. It's roughly the size of Ireland and filled with Tilapia and Nile Perch, although the catches are getting smaller and smaller.
10. Dubai
When not skiing indoors or staying at a seven star hotel, try your hand at fishing in the Gulf for Sailfish, Spanish mackerel, Dorado, Grouper, and Snapper.
http://www.iexplore.com/activity/Fishing/Africa;$sessionid$XN4RMLYAABJOWP2MN5XCGWQ
