Another fabulous week of fishing here in world famous Islamorada. The mahi mahi bite continues to improve daily as more and more fish flood our offshore waters. The slammers are beginning to move through with more regularity. Many more big fish are expected to migrate into the Straights of Florida as the season progresses. Look for the fish in 600-800 feet of water over broken bottom areas. This seemed to produce the best catches this week.
The larger wooden pieces of debris seemed to be holding lots of nice fish too. Several “Amazon” logs were found this week helping to fill the boxes of many charter boat captains with mahi mahi as well as several nice wahoo. If you find some debris make sure you troll by it high speed style before you leave. There may be a nice ‘hoo home.
You may also want to have a rod on board dedicated to catching triple tails. I use a 15 pound test outfit with a little “Hank Brown” jig. I tip the jig with a chunk and fire it out in front of any legal triple tail I find on the debris. Triple tails have to be 15 inches to keep. If you are blessed and catch a couple of keepers, then you will enjoy one of the tastiest fish dinners the ocean has to offer.
The offshore waters are producing great catches. Right now is a great time to book a trip or to get out on the water and go fishing. The tuna and amberjacks are still biting well at the various humps. A live blue runner or goggle eye fished on the bottom will produce a large amberjack or even a grouper at any one of the humps. This fishery will last through June but is slowing down. If you want a taste of this fishery you had better hurry before it is over. I am still in awe of the power that a big jack possesses. I still get pinned to the gunwhale every week by a big one. We had a 70 pounder get us this week on the West hump while jigging for tunas. Nice surprise on the lighter tackle we were using.
I have been jigging for tunas and amberjack quite a bit this season. I have learned a few things. One of the most important things is to use a good rod.
I checked with some fisherman on the west coast who jig for California yellowtails. They said a 7-8 foot rod rated for 40-50 pound line would do the trick. Ever since I started using the Gloomis 40 pound 7 foot pelagic rod my jigging troubles went away. The rod needs a gimbal butt if you are going to use a belt, however; it will handle a tuna or a jack.
While jigging you will hook both so you need a rod soft enough to keep the tuna hooked and solid enough to handle a big amberjack who is headed for the rocks 500 feet below. Of course a high speed, high quality reel like an AVET or PENN is a must as it will have to endure the most punishing work. These two reels are guaranteed to hold up under repeated “charter” abuse. The AVET HX or EX series has been my first choice and the PENN torque series is my other recommendation. Both manufacturers will stand firm behind their products and make sure you have any parts you wil l need fast. High speed jigging is a fun alternative to live bait.
Give it a try some time and I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
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