Exploring the Ever-Changing Weather and Fishing Conditions in South Florida

South Florida is renowned worldwide for its stunning range of weather and fishing conditions that never fail to surprise anglers every season. One week, the winds are roaring like a hurricane, and the next, we’re greeted with a serene, glassy calm. In this article, we will explore some of the best fishing opportunities you can enjoy in South Florida’s waters, with a particular focus on the dolphin, kingfish, tuna, yellowtail snapper, and mutton snapper.

Best Time to Fish for Dolphin

Dolphin, also known as mahi-mahi, is a highlight of South Florida’s fishing experience with their beautiful blue-green, yellow, and silver colors. The best time to fish for dolphin is when the weather is calm, and the water visibility is clear. The early morning is an ideal time to hit the fish before the weekend party-goers awaken. As one of the first anglers on the water, you have a better chance of hitting the weed patches and floating debris holding large numbers of fish before dozens of others have cast their lines. South Florida waters have a maximum limit of thirty legal fish per boat. You don’t need live bait to catch dolphin, as you can use ballyhoo, Spanish sardines, and squid. Trolling weedless soft plastics near the debris is an excellent way to fish. Once you hook up, throw flashy artificial bait at the fish. Each angler onboard is allowed five legal dolphin fish.

Fishing for Kingfish and Blackfin Tunas

After catching the maximum legal amount of dolphin, choose to move towards the reef to target kingfish and blackfin tunas. These species feed on ballyhoo and Spanish sardines attached to a one-ounce drifted jig in depths between 90 to 200 feet. A few sailfish and lots of bonitos have been spotted feeding in these depths. Big blackfin tuna is caught in the same depths during the last few hours of sunlight, going for live goggle eyes and threadfin herring fished under a kite.

Nighttime Reef Fishing

The calmer conditions and lighter currents of South Florida’s nighttime reef fishing have been helpful in fishing the outer reef in depths ranging from 60 to 100 feet of water. Excellent catches of yellowtail snappers, plus a few mangrove, and mutton snappers are being chummed to the boat on these reefs. The recommended technique for catching yellowtails is by fishing with light weights, small hooks, and jigs tipped with silverside or small pieces of squid or ballyhoo. Fishing with a plug of ballyhoo on or near the bottom is ideal for mutton snappers.

Conclusion

South Florida has a vast range of fishing opportunities that allow anglers to catch different species of fish all year round. Whether you’re fishing for dolphin, kingfish, blackfin tuna, yellowtail snapper, or mutton snapper, there’s always something to catch in South Florida’s waters. So next time you plan to go fishing, remember that South Florida’s ever-changing weather and fishing conditions are waiting to be explored.

Originally Post From https://www.islandernews.com/sports/fishing/south-florida-s-diverse-weather-keeps-fishermen-busy-but-get-out-early-for-dolphin/article_c6963e42-1f03-11ef-8fb6-8f1c06d188f7.html

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