How close in do you all think the blackfin and mahi will be in July?
Will there be hooters around too?
I have been a shore fisherman for the last 30 years when I have come down, but I will be bringing my vessel down this year and plan to head out towards the D reefs, etc. I realize the bluewater is a LONG way away (definitely out of my range), but hoping there will still be some pelagic action in range.
Thanks in advance for any feedback
If I had to pick the two worst months offshore, July and August would be those two months.
Blackfin - very scarce.
Mahi - way out, a minimum of 35 miles, and more than likely 50 miiles+
Hooters? Don't have a clue what you are looking for. The only Hooters I know of are in a bar/restaurant by that same name at 6507 S. Tamiami Trail
Lol
Hooters = Wahoo
Ok, well I will be hoping for Mahi then. My range/comfort zone is about 60 miles
Good Luck. I dont think you can catch any of those unless you get past 150 ft deep....
Can't catch any of what?Originally Posted by Stealth
Are you saying that you don't remember what species you asked about?
there are quite a few people who come on this board and ask questions about catching the typically deep water pelagics. there are not very folks left on this board who have the knowledge and experience to answer the questions.
for most of these species the deeper you go towards the continental shelf and the very deep nutrient rich waters will significantly increase your chances of finding these fish. however, none of the fish you inquired about are marlin swords or larger model tunas. those big fish are extremely unusual in this area in water less than 200'. the species you mentioned are not uncommon at all.
blackfin tuna are around all year. fish around or near strucutre starting in 120', but better would be 140. if i wanted to concentrate on catching blackfins i would fish between 140 and 300. if you are an explorer than troll while pulling a spread of lures around while scanning the bottom looking for bottom fishing spots.
it is very common for west fl bottom fisherman to dismiss fishing for pelagics. what most of these guys don't realize is that the pelagics inhabit the same areas because of FOOD. if you have really nice bottom strucutre in the right depth THE PELAGICS WILL COME.
if you don't want to spend the money to explore than you better be good with a cast net. get as much live bait as your boat will hold and as much fresh dead as your boxes will hold, anchor up and chum. if you are willing to spend the time and have the patience to employ correct chumming techniques you will be surprised what you will attract.
mahi will definately be around in the summer months, though for the most part you will be seeing dinks, peanuts and an occasional 10-12 lber inside of 200. better chances fishing 2-600 for the gaffers but they are there and every year there are plenty nice ones caught in shallower. you will also chum these guys in.
i have caught wahoo every month of the year on this coast. unless you are fishing the deep temp breaks, upwellings and currents i would focus on big structure in 140-250 feet. i have caught a dozen wahoo over 50, trolling and livebaiting. the biggest were caught in 160-200 ft.
Thanks Crossbones. That is exactly what I was looking for.
After posting the above, I went back to previous years' reports in the summer and saw where folks out of cape coral were getting swarmed by schoolie's (mahi) in 90 ft and less. Looking at supermaps, they are even farther away from the edge than Sarasota, so I knew then that I would not be wasting time on those which makes me happy by itself. The blackfins and hoos would be a bonus.
You have given great information and I agree, the vast majority of west coasters know not alot beyond the mangroves and the sandbar. And understandably so, given the distance from the edge. It's just different there than it is in Destin/Pensacola for example (where I was last Friday in 4-6s), where you are only 30 miles from the edge.
The good thing about it is I guess, since most people stick to inshore and most of the guides are restricted to 9 miles or less (taking snowbirds to cast live shrimp), there should be less competition out there.
I will definitely pull the spreads and keep the plain hooks ready on the spinners for the schools. And will report back as well! Thanks man!
Great post Crossbones and all on target.
We do well with smaller Mahi, under 10lb in 90 to 160 feet. Just about every time we run to that depth we catch them. Keep a small amount of very small cut bait handy. They typically show up almost rights as you come off plane so you need to be ready.
As for Blackfin it can be hit or miss for us in the 140 to 160 foot range (we do not fish beyond that depth). We do troll between spots if less than a mile or so away. When doing that not only do we add to our collection of good bottom number but sometimes we get a bonus Tuna.
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