http://florida-offshore.com/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:25:42 -0500 FeedCreator 1.8.0-nukeFEED (http://nukeSEO.com) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6761#6761
The morning temperature was 74 degrees and the wind was blowing from the Northwest 12-15 mph. The skies were partly cloudy, with the occasional breeze of 18 knots. The water current was pushing one knot heading to the North which is good for Sailfish. Typically in the months of Dec., through March, Sailfishing is good and probably peaking in February.

Adding wind, little wave action and bait fish is generally a good day of deep seafishing. We started fishing In 165 ft. of water just off an area called Oakland Park located off Fort Lauderdale. Where we stopped there was a perfect rip current where the water changed colors from a light blue to a very brilliant navy blue which is an indication of an excellent place to be fishing, that will allow bait to be traveling down the rip current, there will be weeds, floating debris and where there is bait, there will be Mahi, Sailfish among multitude of other species. Jim was looking to capture a nice size fish. Considering this is the time of the year to be targeting Sailfish and the bite has been good, we were happy to accommodate his wishes and target Sailfish. Setting our live bait in 165 feet of water off a wreck with the current with the current pushing us to the North and by positioning the boat just right, we are able to come close to wrecks located in depths of 155’ out to 175’ which is good because wrecks hold baitfish as well as any structure is good for all fish. We put two kites out, two Goggle Eyes from each kite and one Goggle Eye down deep about 100’ of water, the deep bait can capture anything form King Mackerel to Wahoo, Grouper and of course Sailfish. Our first bite came from the left, long kite which was a Sailfish, at first the Sail popped his Sail out of the water, circled the bait (which does not happen a lot) but when it does, is very cool to watch. After the Sailfish fed, the line started screaming off the reel, as he tail-walked away from the boat literally jumping and as he was jumping and his tail was moving radically, it’s a fun show for all to watch. Twenty-five minutes later, the Sailfish was brought to the side of the boat by and did a great job angling the fish. Our first mate Dave Jackson, leaned over the side and grabbed the bill and brought the fish into the boat for a picture. The Sailfish measured out to be 97” long. We released the Sail to live antoher day. John decided to do a replica mount and let the fish live to be caught another day. With added a couple Mahi Mahi’s to the catch averaging 6-10 lb. class, it was time to head back home.If interested in reserving an offshore charter please check out the site at www.topshotfishing.com and contact Capt. Tom or Dave to reserve a charter.]]> no_email@example.com (topshotfishing) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6761#6761 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6760#6760 no_email@example.com (SeanSummers) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6760#6760 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6759#6759 no_email@example.com (SeanSummers) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6759#6759 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6754#6754
We fished Jim Scott from North Carolina last week, the fishing conditions were: winds out of the north, northeast at 12 to15 mph, seas running 3 to 5 ft. and deep blue water in on our 2nd reef which is what we like for the Sail and Mahi bite.

Jim and friends on board we set out to do some kite fishing with live bait Goggle Eyes. We set two kites up about 60 to 70 yards from the boat, fishing 4 live Goggle Eyes total, two Gogs per kite.

The first fish caught was a 8 lb. Mahi Mahi. Then adding to the fish box another 4 Mahi’s, not big size, but worth keeping.

On the left kite, the longer of the two baits, Jim and I noticed a dorsal fin came out of water, circling the bait, but it did not eat the bait. We call them “window shopers”, the Sail approached the bait, circles and slowly swims off. As a fisherman and fishing out of Fort Lauderdale for a long time, this is never a good feeling, at first your heart rate jumps and the fish is there on your baits, then the Sail slowly fades off and does not feed. Happens to all of us, not that often thankfully.

The next Sailfish popped up about 25 minutes later, this Sail had no hesitation, the fish grabbed the Gog, started peeling off line and was jumping out of the water like a bat out of hell, he put on a spectacular show. Twenty minutes later, the Sailfish was reeled to the side of boat for picture taking and released, swimming away. We release all of our Sailfish off Fort Lauderdale to catch another day.

It was time to start heading back to the dock. This ends another successful and adventurous deep sea fishing charter on the Happy Day Today with the Topshotfishing team and Captain Zsak - 954-439-8106 – www.topshotfishing.com

IS]]> no_email@example.com (topshotfishing) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6754#6754 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6753#6753
We loaded up on blue runners an bar jacks in short order...

Heres Vindawg & Reel nuts. How did you guys make out today?




Note to self, need to write down new setting to try on camera for early morning shots. Thanks from everyone who gave me tips last week, will try them next week if I can remember. Tough getting old.

There wasn't much of a sunrise this morning with the overcast skys...









We stopped and picked up a couple of large runners for some AJ's later then headed out to the Hill. Lines in before 8:00am and FISHON by 8:15. Ricks line gets hit first.



Less than a minute later Emmersons line starts screaming



Rick gets his BFT to the boat



Emmerson loses his fish and assumes his position :grin ... Funny story. When we were catching bait this morning, Vinny pulls up and says to Emmerson, aren't you the guy who catchs the AJ's then takes a nap :grin



Ricks fish was caught on Billy Bones's Tackle ( www.billybones.cc ) Jayson Armans lure. Stop by an pick one up and try it on your Daisy Chain.



Emmerson had something big on but it came unglued. It was in the same area so I was hopeful it was a bigger BFT. He had on my new larger lure and chain. I made it using Bluewaters Bling lure.



The skies were overcast and I haven't had much luck on the Hill in those conditions but catching one already, I was hopeful the morning was going to be good. We got the chains back out and circled back through the same area and immediately had a double header but they both came unglued. After losing another double header we switched out the lures to my Pearl Duster lures and still nothing. Heres Vindawg trolling the Hill as well.







We headed towards the AJ spot in hopes of bending the heavy rod and stopped at some weeds and dumping in the liveys. Drifted these for awhile while Emmerson re-assumes the position :grin ... All in good fun Emmerson.



We moved on to the AJ spot and dropped down one of the 12" runners before we got it to the bottom we were 50 yards off the spot. The current was ripping at 4+ knots. Rick reels up and we set-up 100 yards past the spot in hopes of getting it down before we got there. After the third drop we are there and Rick's rod gets hit but never came tight. Made one more attempt with nothing.

Opted to head in shallower to see if we can find those ellusive fins. Came across a nice temp change with some weeds on it in 110ft...





We slow trolled the runners for six miles northward with not one hit. Heard on the radio that some sailfish were being caught in 60ft. Headed in and slow trolled some liveys into the mix then shut down the motor to drift. Had three of these guys circling around us but never came close to the water.







Called it quits at 3pm and headed to the ramps.

Todays Tally:

1 out of 6 BFT

How did you all do today

Tip of the day

Automated radio check channel by Sea Tow. Tune to channel 27 on your VHF radio and do a radio check. It will copy and playback your radio check. This is a great way to hear how your mic is working as well as making sure your radio is working properly. I make it a habit to check the radio soon after I dump the boat in the water. I also check it again when we get way offshore.

VSC - Vessel Safety Check. Contact Gary Bowerman of the CGAUX for a free boat inspection (772-287-4621). I was greated by Gary at the boat ramp last year and he checked out my boat and I found that I was missing the Inland Distress flag. I highly recommend you get this done as it don't cost anything and you get a VSC sticker to affix to your windshield on your boat. When you see those FWC guys or the cops looking through there binoclars and they spot this sticker, they will most likely pass you up for another boat. You should get this done once a year just in case any laws change.

Here is a link to the United States Coast Guard Auxillary

http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

While rigging up the daisy chains this morning I spotted this laying on the sand next to the ramps. Last weekend when we returned to the ramp I noticed someone had hit this Channel Marker that was right out front of the ramps. Not sure if someone hit it at night or what but I think if they had those reflective strips that they now have on most stop signs that it would make these things more visable at night. I mentioned that to the USCG but they said that tape costs $400 per roll and that they don't have the funding. I remember some people getting killed when hitting these poles down south last year...



A friend of mine (Cal Bledsoe) is walking in the "Walk to Cure Diabetes" for the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) which takes place on April 14th, 2012. If you would like to donate to this great cause, please click the link below. Thank You.

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?px=1205389&pg=personal&fr_id=1656]]> no_email@example.com (alwaysforward) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6753#6753 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6752#6752
Or, where ever we decide to go…..

If you want to go, but want us to pick you up along the way somewhere, post here and we will do our best to find you, or look for a bunch of tuff looking GCFC’ers and PFF’ers and fall in…… we should not be that hard to miss…….. Just look for a bunch of bad a$$ fishing dudes and dudettes…. "We RIDE Again"]]> no_email@example.com (Realtor) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6752#6752 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6751#6751
http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?px=1205...nal&fr_id=1656]]> no_email@example.com (alwaysforward) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6751#6751 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6747#6747 no_email@example.com (Realtor) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6747#6747 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6740#6740 Its a new State Record leading Wicked Winter Tournament from our sister site Texas Offshore.com. Congrats RodFather!! 142#


[img][/img]]]> no_email@example.com (CaptDQ) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6740#6740 http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6737#6737
Let Your Voice Be Heard!

The current federal fisheries law – the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) – is broken and in need of immediate repair. Arbitrary and non-scientific provisions coupled with unrealistically rigid restrictions are keeping all fishermen off the water.

Through strict enforcement of the provisions contained within MSA, and the rapidly expanding denial of public access to rebuilt and rebuilding fisheries, it has become extremely clear to the majority of anglers, fishing organizations and the fishing industry that the federal fisheries law must be fixed.

The good news is that conservation, access and rebuilding can all be achieved with minor changes to the current law.

What can you do?

Only by amending the Magnuson Stevens Act can both our fisheries and our fishing communities and businesses rebuild and thrive. Sustainability of both the fish AND the fishermen should be our goal]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6737#6737