End of Spring/Early Summer 2015
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Fishing Report
May 13, 2015
I don't even know where to begin with this fishing report. Fishing has been off the charts good, to put it lightly. My clients have been spoiled with some of the best days on the water that I've experienced in years. I'm happy to report that even in light of our infamous freeze of the 2009/2010 winter season which killed off millions of fish in the Everglades especially, Snook fishing is back with a fiery vengeance. I've seen more Snook this year than I have in years past - and they're hungry, too. Aside from seeing as many as sometimes even hundreds of Snook a day this season, so far, my best trip yet was with new client Tim Fearnley of Australia, catching his first Snook ever 5 minutes into our trip, and then continuing to catch over 60 more (we lost count of the exact number sometime after 5 dozen) all on Zman soft plastic artificial jerkbaits. Another incredibly memorable day occurred with new clients Armando and Alfred, while targeting tailing Redfish - something the two had never done before. We had such an incredible bite that it literally didn't matter what we threw at these fish, they ate without hesitation. Both Al and Armando scored their first and biggest Redfish, many times over. All of our fish that day were also caught on Zman soft plastic artificial jerkbaits. If you or someone you know is looking to catch their first Snook or Redfish, look no further. Give me a call today and let's go get some!
Now I don't want to make this report all about Snook and Redfish, as partial as I may be to them... Tarpon season is in full swing. These big silver kings are here, and they're biting. Tarpon can be found on both the bay and oceanside, as they make their annual spring/summer migration in search of mates. We have been steadily catching fish on both spin and fly tackle, from size classes of juvenile (10-30 lb fish) all the way up to the coveted full-grown (130-150+ lb) tackle busters. I target these fish however my clients choose, within reason. Most of my Tarpon fishing is done by sightfishing : seeing a fish, making a cast ahead of it, and presenting the lure or fly in hopes of receiving a strike. As with the Snook and Redfish, the Everglades are a prime location to target Tarpon, but Biscayne Bay as well as the upper and middle Florida Keys produce a great Tarpon bite throughout the next several months as well.
In addition to all of this crazy Snook, Redfish, and Tarpon action, many other species can be targeted successfully as well. To name a few, Seatrout, Bonefish, Permit, Snapper, Sharks and Sawfish are all very viable options that can often times be added into a great mixed bag for a day full of variety.
Give me a call at (305) 431-1686 or email me at dragginitoutcharters@gmail.com for availability - I'd love to answer any questions you might have, and help you knock that next species off your fishing bucket list.
- Capt. David Accursio
Spring 2014 Fishing Report
March 18, 2014
Well, with the very few "cold" fronts from this past winter behind us, warm temperatures, breezy days, and afternoon thunderstorms are upon us. Spring fishing is a great time in South Florida, and for many anglers, it's almost better than Christmas. With the Tarpon migration being an annual magnet for skiffs from all over to launch in some of the most Tarpon-rich waters in the world, the Cobia making their cameos just offshore, and the Redfish preparing for their summer festivities, what's not to love about Spring?
Fishing has been good in the Everglades, with a consistent Redfish, Snook, and Trout bite. On days with fair weather, the Tripletail fishing has been nothing short of phenomenal. Tarpon are absolutely everywhere. Cobia are being caught here and there, but the abnormally warm weather we've been having will probably have them out of here before long. Fishing the west coast and gulf waters of Flamingo has been producing an incredible Mackerel, Snapper, Jack, and Tarpon bite.
Biscayne Bay and the Upper Keys have been producing their fair share of Tarpon, too. The Bonefishing and Permit fishing have really started to heat up, with Bonefish up to and over 10 lbs. being landed.
With March just about half-way over, these next few months will be the hottest - in regards to both temperature and fishing. You literally can't go wrong fishing the flats in the Spring and Summer months. Expect large schools of Redfish, big laid up Snook and Tarpon, and a steady Tripletail bite.
Give me a call and let's go catch some fish!
- Capt. David Accursio
End of Summer/Early Fall 2014
Fishing Report
September 23, 2014
Summer has been busy, to say the least...hence my not posting a report in between seasons. Here's a brief recap:
Tarpon fishing was phenomenal, keeping me busy for weeks straight, fishing the waters of the Keys, Everglades, and Biscayne Bay targeting the silver king. Redfish and Snook sightfishing has been prime, with large fish being caught on very light tackle in ankle-deep water. We had an incredibly hot and still summer season weather wise, which resulted in unfortunate record-high water temperatures leading to finicky fish due to lack of oxygen in the water they thrive in. The fish we were able to fool and catch during this time felt as if they had been microwaved when brought out of the water. As the summer rains came and a few breezy weekends passed, the water slowly started to cool down and is still currently in the fall transitional period of higher, cooler water.
I'm writing this report today after just finishing fishing the 2014 Herman Lucerne tournament this past weekend. Over 50 teams competed from all over the country targeting 7 different specific species in 2 days of fishing. I hosted the Raymarine group and we fished hard both Saturday and Sunday. We missed winning the largest Redfish category by half an inch with a very large 34" Redfish. Fishing prior to the tournament has been good, with an incredible bite of Mangrove Snapper and sharks on the edge of the gulf, Redfish, Black Drum, and Snook on the flats, and Bonefish, Permit, and juvenile Tarpon in Biscayne Bay and the Keys.
Look forward to the best fishing South Florida has to offer in the coming months. In less than a month the Tripletail will be back and ripe for the picking, the Redfish will be schooled up by the hundreds on the flats, and cooler water fishing patterns will settle in. This is my absolute favorite time of year to fish, not to mention the most comfortable fishing conditions we'll see all year.
Don't hesitate to book your trip for this fall/coming winter... You won't regret it!
- Capt. David Accursio