Biscayne Bay 5/22/11

This Sunday found Dave, a trout guide from Wyoming www.JacksonHoleAnglers.com and his long time friend, Ken, from Pennsylvannia on the bow of my skiff for a half day break from exploring Miami. The plan was to mix it up in Biscayne Bay. We started with some shots at tarpon on the Oceanside including a string of 100lbers in 3’ of water, always an impressive sight! We then switched to bonefish and some shots later our half day was running out. We had two choices, run far north to what promised to be fast bonefish action or take a short hop to mutton land. They decided upon mutton land, and as usual the muttons didn’t disappoint. Minutes after arriving, Dave’s rod bends over and the drag starts to scream. Unfortunately the hook pulled free and the beast swam free. Just minutes later and much smack talk amongst the two friends later, Ken’s rod doubles over and the drag screams. A few seconds later Dave’s rod bends over also and now the sweet sound of two drags screaming in tandem filled the air. The action continued until quitting time and smiles and more trash talk were plentiful as we crossed Biscayne Bay on the way back to the ramp. Days like these are common right now so get out there and make that drag scream!

Capt. Mo Estevez
www.NewDawnCharters.com
786-853-1409

Biscayne Bay Week of 5/21/11

Biscayne Bay continues to produce good numbers of fish. Early mornings found us chasing schools of permit on Biscayne Bay's west side in slick calm conditions. The tarpon have momentarily thinned a bit but the bones and permit have filled in nicely. On a quick "sight seeing" trip of Biscayne Bay, my wife and I invested a few minutes of fishing time and landed this nice mutton snapper. It rounded out a nice few hours on the water.

Capt. Mo Estevez
www.MiamiBonefishing.com
786-853-1409

Red Hot Biscayne Bay Fishing

Fishing has been red hot in Biscayne Bay. Today was an example of what’s been going down lately, non-stop fish all day long. We started the day with slick clam conditions and tailing permit on the west side of Biscayne Bay. Later we focused on migrating Oceanside tarpon and had numerous shots at south bound fish and many more strings of rolling fish moving across our bow. Slick clam conditions allow us to see rolling tarpon from a long distance away, making any angler weak at the knees with excitement and anticipation, what a sight to behold all spring long and into the summer! We then switched gears and fished for bonefish. We had a few shots but not the numbers I am happy with so we changed locations. More permits later we arrive at the flat I had expected to see some bones and sure enough, like clockwork the schools started to show. We ended the day covered in singles, doubles, triples and schools of big mudding bonefish. What a way to end the day. Get out there and make that drag scream!

Capt. Mo Estevez
www.NewDawnCharters.com
786-853-1409

Conservation

FWC seeks continued angler participation for tarpon study
Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory ask anglers to gather valuable information for the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study. Participating anglers collect DNA samples from any tarpon of any size. These samples help biologists gain insight into tarpon movement and distribution.

Biologists use DNA samples to identify the tarpon’s genetic “fingerprint.” The fingerprints provide a unique and natural tag for each individual fish. Scientists compare new tarpon DNA samples with cataloged samples to determine if someone else caught and sampled that tarpon previously. Biologists refer to these fish as “recaptured” tarpon.
In 2010, anglers provided biologists with more than 3,100 tarpon DNA samples. With more samples to be processed, biologists have documented 71 recaptured tarpon since the study began in 2005. Current data indicates that approximately one out of every 100 sampled tarpon is a recaptured fish.

Angler involvement has increased significantly each year of the study. Biologists hope that more anglers will join the effort, providing even more data for the study. So far in 2011, anglers have provided hundreds of samples, bringing the total number to just over 9,000. Anglers throughout Florida submitted samples from tarpon ranging in length from 5 to 96 inches.

Anglers who would like to assist the study may obtain a free, easy-to-use tarpon DNA sampling kit by emailing TarponGenetics@MyFWC.com or by calling 800-367-4461.

Participating anglers receive an annual newsletter with updates on the study. As it becomes available, anglers also receive additional information about recaptured tarpon. Anglers who submit a tarpon DNA sample to this study in 2011 will be entered into random, bi-monthly drawings for various prizes.

For more information on the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study, visit MyFWC.com/Research, click on “Saltwater,” scroll down to “Saltwater Fish” and click on “Tarpon.”