I got a 3 day weekend for MLK Holiday, so we took the trip down to Big Pine. We got in late Friday night, and watching the weather it looked like our only shot at heading offshore would be Saturday, with a strong front pushing in Saturday night. So we decided to go a half day and make the run across the reef. The plan was to look for a sailfish when the sun was high, and then change tactics and go for the wahoo bite in early evening.
We left around noon, and in the backwater the water temp was 69. That was a 10 degree drop from 2 weeks ago! We had to fuel up at dolphin marina, and then cut our away around Little Palm Key and offshore past the American Shoal. As soon as we hit Hawks channel, the water temp bounced back up to 76 degrees. I guess the north winds blew some pretty chilly water into the backwaters from the gulf.
Offshore was disappointing – no birds, very little bait, no weeds, no debris. The seas were decent 3 – 4 foot, and we worked off American shoal between 200 and 400 feet. We could see merchant traffic just offshore heading toward Miami, so that meant there was a Gulf Stream edge close to us. The water color was good, but nothing really in it.
We started to wander out to sea, and robin called out about a big gang of flying fish. Next thing I knew the right flat line popped but did not come tight. I started free spooling and the right long rigger popped, then the left all with nothing tight. Robin circled around while I started checking baits and when we got back to the spot the planer popped up – fish on!
I could not tell what it was, but got Robin to point us down sea, and come back on the rod while I cleared baits. She got it half way to the boat and we realized it was a sail! The poor thing hit a 120 pound outfit with the drag cranked to the stops. We probably gave it whiplash when it came tight!
Oh well, not sporting, no acrobatics, but it was our first sail of the year! Happily released to catch again….
definitely was a cute little guy! Black and white Hawaiian eye rigged on wire cable with a medium ballyhoo. The planer was 50 to 75 foot deep.
Until next time!
Gorham Fishing Team 