There has been an abundance of Sargassum moving through our area and with that comes mahimahi, the dolphinfish.
Mahi follow the sargassum mats around, completing a cycle, because they eat the small fish that hang nearby as they in turn, feed on the tiny shrimp, crabs and creatures that live in the weeds. We have also been catching some yellowfin tuna while trolling and live baiting. Most of the yellowfin activity has been centered around the birds, buoys and edge near the North Drop. There are also plenty of blackfin and skipjack tuna available offshore right now which can be a blast when trolling around the big flocks of sea birds, such as Brown Boobies and Frigates.
There have been quite a few White and Blue Marlin prowling the waters of the North Drop as this is getting into the best time of year to encounter them. They are typically caught trolling around in the deep off the North Drop with large lures and ballyhoo. Marlin fishing can be a frustrating game of trolling and waiting for hours to get that one bite from the fish of a lifetime, but that time spent pays off. It is certainly a rush for those who are willing to put in their time and get lucky!
The inshore fishing for snapper, grouper, triggerfish and jacks has been consistent and is a great option for folks who just want to get out on the water, bend some rods and eat some fish tacos for dinner. The season for Mutton and Lane Snapper as well as Red Grouper is open right now, and they all make great table fare. This light tackle, active fishing with “rods-in-hands” style we use inshore is a fantastic and entertaining option for families with younger children.