March 6, 2016 Report (Insane action) (Video!)

Chris is from Massachusetts and came down to Miami for 3 days just to fish and today was the day. Our first stop was of course for tarpon and while we found a ton of tarpon at two different spots we could not buy a bite. I was beginning to take this personally but none of the other boats could buy a bite either. Not sure if this makes me feel better. However, while tarpon fishing Chris landed a huge sheepshead and a nice Barracuda within seconds and we were off to a hot start. From that moment on the rods remained bent almost constantly with a number of different species. Then I started to mark the spinner sharks on my Raymarine and we decided to target them instead. Using a live 2 pound jack and 50 pound class spinning tackle we dropped one down and it did not last two minutes before Chris had a ferocious strike and an amazing drag burning run before we lost the first fish. Chris wanted a spinner shark so we dedicated the rest of our time to getting him one so we repeated the process. I all we hooked 7 spinner sharks and landed the last one we hooked. The take on the last one was amazing as we can see the live jack struggling on the surface and a big spinner shark coming in from about a hundred feet zigzagging looking for the live jack. Within 40 feet we could see another 2 spinner sharks and within 10 feet all 3 spinner sharks looked like a squadron of fighters as they bolted towards the jack. A large explosion later the rod doubled over the reel started to scream and Chris was on shark number 7. After an hour and 20 minute fight he released the big spinner shark at almost 200 pounds and at that point it was time to head in. Chris you will have sore arms tomorrow!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

March 5, 2016 Report (Video!)

Today started slow on my full day with local angler and regular client Alec and his brother Kevin. Finding tarpon, and lots of them, we couldn't buy a bite but Kevin caught the biggest sheepshead I've ever seen. I checked out another 5-6 tarpon spots to no avail. Temporarily shelving the search for tarpon, we focused on smaller predators and caught some sea trout. Halfway through the trip we went back to the morning's first spot and the tarpon were still there but the spinner sharks were in thick. Trying hard for tarpon and not getting any bites, we shifted our focus to spinner sharks. It didn't take long for Alec to hook up to a big shark that gave the Quantum Boca 60 drag a workout before breaking off. Kevin was up on deck and he got a take but early on in the fight the spinner shark spit the bait. What a way to end a day that started off slow!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

March 4, 2016 Report (Video!)

Being off yesterday and with the fresh memories of the epic fishing day we had on Wednesday I was eager to get regular client David and his son Tommy out. Our first few drifts provided just a few tarpon and no hook ups but the morning wouldn't continue this way for long. As we changed it up the rods starting bending and the drags started to get burned up. There were schools of different species of fish around the boat but most wouldn't reach the boat as spinner sharks were in thick. We took advantage of the situation and got numerous hook ups on high flying spinner sharks and what a sweet sound hearing the drag scream non-stop until having to chase these fish down to prevent from getting spooled. Today was another day where my guys were worn out before the end of the trip. At one point we had a double header and another time when chasing a fish down for David the other rod got hit twice with both times the fish making a long run then spitting the hook, one of the few times I looked forward to losing a fish, twice! I love it!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

March 2, 2016 Report (Video!)

Today was the day that I've been waiting for since mid February because it was the day when Biscayne Bay finally went off! The morning started with George from New York, a regular client of mine, and his friend and coworker Joe meeting up at the marina at 6 a.m. We scooted off to South Beach in our search for Tarpon and once again there were tons of fish around with one big difference, the water temperature having increased about two degrees and the fish were friendlier than usual. George quickly hooked up to about an 80 pounder that gave us twoo savage jumps before spitting the hook. Drifting through waiting for another bite we were quickly distracted by big schools of spinner sharks. Taking advantage of the opportunity presented to us we quickly rigged up for them and proceeded to have an absolutely banner morning. We landed two and hook between seven and nine sharks. Most jacks and mutton snapper that we hooked wouldn't last long as we reeled them up to the boat and the spinner sharks making quick work of them. Close to the end of the trip I prepared for another drift or two when the guys said they've had enough, were exhausted and didn't think they could catch another fish. That is what fishing in Miami is all about and that is what I've been waiting for! Spring is here and its Tarpon time in Miami!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

January 24, 2016 Report (Winter Tarpon Video!)

Friday we had a massive cold front, the same cold front tormenting the northeast and yesterday we had 30-40 MPH winds so I was looking forward to today. Meeting Charlie and Christina at 7am, they boarded and we were off. The conditions were brutal, temperatures in the 40's, 20 plus MPH winds, water temperatures in the high 60's, dirty water and steam coming off the water in spite of the wind. WOW! I had 4 layers on and I was still cold but I located some clean water in the lee of the wind and warmer incoming tide but struggled for the first half of the trip hooking and losing a spinner shark and missing a few bites. One the tide turned the bite was on and Charlie hooked his first tarpon, hooked a couple of really nice spinner sharks and caught a few other species. The trip ended on a high note and the run back felt shorter and warmer after the tarpon!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

January 10, 2016 Report (Tarpon Video!)

Fishing today with Yuri from Russia was a lot of fun. He had booked me because he wanted to learn how to fish insore and I was more than happy to share my techniques with him. Since it has been cool in Miami I decided to run to South Beach to see if the migrating tarpon we're moving in yet but after spending some time off the beach the answer was a No. Deciding to fish close by and work our way back towards the marina on our four our trip the next spot was a magical spot since the first cast produced the first fish of the day. It was a special fish however because it was Yuri's first tarpon. After a number of jumps and a 20 minute fight on light tackle we released a nice 40 pound tarpon that left Yuri's arms sore and a big grin on his face. A few minutes later we hook the second tarpon but it came off after a long run. We switched over to some grass flats and used a number of different lures and techniques and Yuri caught sea trout, bluefish and a few mystery fish that would slam his lure but not get hooked. We ended the day with some fly casting lessons and he picked up the double haul rather quickly but with the wind increasing to 20 miles an hour it was not productive to have him cast in the open water for his first fish on fly. This was a nice day on the water today with great weather cool breeze and great company catching some nice fish.

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

January 7, 2016 Report

Arthur, his two daughters and one of his daughter's boyfriend were in town and wanted to do some fishing so I got another boat involved. We made the call to head out the day before due to weather and got a late start. On board with me was Arthur and one of his dauthers, Jo. The first goal was to get on some bonefish and we found a nice school of about a dozen fish mudding and feeding but couldn't get one. Then we headed to another spot where they caught snappers and jacks, keeping a few for shark bait. We wrapped up the trip shark fishing and Jo losing a nice spinner shark early on in the initial blistering run.

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

January 3, 2016 Report

From St. Petersburg came Ryan, his 13 year old son Andrew and his father Ed. These were great people and we had a blast laughing and catching some fish. Ed was a riot and had me rolling with laughter! The goal was to get Andrew his first bonefish on fly. We started poling a calm shallow shoreline and as expected here came a school of big fat bones making their way right to us. I positioned Andrew for an 11 o'clock shot and he fired the fly right in front of the school. Immediately he says "I'm on!" and the line rips away, then stops. Huh? Turns out it was a small barracuda. NO! There were a few fish around but then it got quite. Another two flats proved slow so we changed tactics and fished a shallow wreck. Here the action was solid and Andrew caught a grouper on fly, a mutton on fly as well as a few other species. Ryan caught a nice grouper on a lure and Ed caught a few fish as well. The day ended trying to get Andrew his bonefish but they were MIA.

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

January 2, 2016 Report (Video!)

Happy New Year and 2016 is off to hot start! Joe, Vincent and Milan enjoyed some of the best weather in weeks, high 70's, clear skies and calm wind. Getting an early start, spot one held a few lady fish and small snappers. Spot two was slow but spot 3 was great! Spinner sharks were all around and we hooked two on artificial lures losing the first one and getting the second one to the boat. Milan hooked it on permit tackle and the spinner blasted away at mach speed leaving Milan breathless. We caught lady fish, snapper, mackerel, jacks and spinner sharks. Not bad for a half day that started slow. Enjoy dinner guys!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 31, 2015 Report

I ended the year fishing with Craig and his two boys, 9 year old Chase and 11 year old Blake. The kids fought a number of big high flying ladyfish losing quite a few of them early on. Fishing a couple of other spots proved slow but the last one had them fighting snappers and jacks to end with a bang. Happy new year everyone!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 30, 2015 Report (Video!)

Today was my third consecutive day with multiple trips and it started with Bryan and Wayne from Kentucky. Bryan is a podiatrist for high-end race horses and Wayne is a blacksmith specializing in making horseshoes. The idea was to do some saltwater fly fishing as this was their first experience throwing a flying in the salt. The conditions were definitely challenging as we had a steady 17 - 18 mile an hour wind but we did have good angles with which to throw the fly. Going back to the same flat that I ended my trip yesterday proved to be unproductive. Making a quick run South to a typically productive mackerel spot also proved to be fruitless for myself as well as the other boats in the area. We ran back up to a third spot and that one produced some fish on fly including their first in the salt and their first with the new fly rods they had purchased. We wrapped up the day at a 4th spot and while they did not hook any fish they had plenty of fish including big sea trout come up and try to eat their flies.

My afternoon trip was with a client of mine Avery and Victoria. We fished last year and the conditions couldn't have been any more different. Last year we had air temperatures in the forties with high winds while today we had moderate winds and air temperatures in the mid eighties. What a difference! We fished two spots and that's all we needed as the fishing was solid at both spots. Victoria ended up with sore arms and big smiles and Avery realized how sweet my Quantum Smoke reels are as he put them to the test as well. These guys are always great and we had a great time including watching Victoria insist that every nice fish be boated for pictures in spite of getting fish slime and blood on her legs. She is a trooper!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 29, 2015 Report

Today was a two trip day for me and it started with John and his son Mason from Georgia. John had mentioned to me over the phone and again when we met up in the morning that they were trying to determine if they would like fishing in order to upgrade their boat back home. Running to our first spot of the morning proved to be the only spot necessary today as the fishing was solid with tons of screaming drags and fish coming to the boat. Using artificial lures and a steady retrieve that they are used to in the bass fishing they do back home they quickly mastered the art of saltwater fishing. We had a blast laughing, keeping the rods bent and giving the reels a workout. What a way to start the morning!

My afternoon trip was a completely different situation. I had Ilia and my Mahmoud on board. Ilia and Mahmoud are from Germany and Mahmoud is a professional soccer player and rising star. Neither one of them had ever fished before and I was eager to show them what fishing is all about. I took a few minutes to teach them how to cast and work the lure and they quickly began to get it done. Ilia scored first and Mahmoud began to lag behind but made up for it and gain ground towards the end of the trip. Tossing lures Mahmoud did have a close call as you see in this picture. His plans to start a family almost ended a abruptly!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 28, 2015 Report

Wow today was one of those days where I was absolutely swamped. Today I had three charters and each of them were completely different from the other as conditions seem to have changed constantly. My morning Charter was with Rob, Etan, and Eli. They fished with me last year and the kids caught a ton of fish and wanted to bend some rods again today. The grand father Rob is always a pleasure to have on board and he sat back, watched them and enjoyed every moment of it. We went to the first spot and it was on fire with fish after fish after fish that kept the kids busy, rods bend and arms sore. However boys being boys they wanted to explore so off we went to fish a couple of other spots that didn't produce. Realizing their young errors they decided to go back to the original spot and the hot streak continued. They had a blast and smiles were big throughout the boat.

My second trip of the day was with Jay and his wife Marta while their two kids were in a second boat that I had reserved for them. This was a special trip for Jay since back in November he tried to book me but his dad unfortunately died unexpectedly. I really wanted this to be a special day for them and put them on fish but the conditions deteriorated with winds blowing steady 20 miles an hour and gusting higher mudding up the water and limiting the areas that we could fish. We did get into some fish at the end of the trip including losing a grouper or two to pilings. These were great people and I look forward to fishing with him again. My third trip from this charter blitz today was with Dylan, Bill and John. Dylan is a fun and brave 9 year old little girl who had a blast catching fish from the moment the first bait hit the water. The wind had died down for this last trip and allowed us to fish an area that I knew would produce. She caught a ton of fish and it was a great day all around.

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 26, 2015 Report

Kids fishing charters are always a blats and today was no exception with David and his two boys 7 and 8 year old Elias and Theo. Staying close to the marina I took them to a spot perfect for kids and sheltered from the close to 20 MPH winds. We used up almost 100 shrimp as they aught a number of snappers, blur runners, jacks and even a small grouper. To add to the excitement, a manatee came up next to the boat, took a breath of air, looked at us and swam away. After about 2 hours of constant non-stop action the kids were worn out and took a "cheetos" break. Elias had never fished before but he mastered the fish catching routine rather quickly. The kids had a blast, the fish wore them out and Elias is now an expert!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 23, 2015 Report (Unbelievable, must read!)

Guillame and Jess are from N.Y. and were taking advantage of a little vacation time and getting some fishing in. Guillame wanted to do some bonefishing but we had some obstacles in the form of 20MPH winds which is unusual for us this time of year. I used an old trick of mine and after a little while one of the rods doubles over and Jess lands the first fish of the day, a small shark. A bit later, another rod goes off and the other rod doubles over as well and we have a double header. They weren't running like bonefish and we brought the first fish to the boat and it was a small shark. Immediately after as Guillame is fighting his, a huge splash and a big dorsal fin erupts out of the 3' deep water. The shark takes off and we're both thinking the big shark had gotten hooked but not realized it until now. After a 10 minute fight, the rod snaps straight and we're thinking it broke us off. To our amazement, Guillame had hooked a small shark and a much bigger shark attacked it and the rod snapped back when the small shark was finally bit in half! Unbelievable! The next rod to go off was a solid 10 plus pound bonefish that spit the hook after the initial scorching run. Ouch! What a morning!

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing

December 14, 2015 Report

Brian and his co worker Toni came down a day early for their business meetings in order to spend some time on the water and catch some fish. They have never fished in Miami before so I was eager to show them what has been going on lately. We made a quick run to the first and only flat of the morning and had awesome consistent drag burning action all morning long. It was a close race but I have a feeling Toni out fished Brian towards the end although Brian did start on a hot streak. It was seldom the case where a few minutes would go by without a hookup and the sound of the drag going off. After 4 hours of constant action it was time to head in as the wind began to pick up. We had a great time they caught a ton of fish and I look forward to fishing with them again next time they're down here. It's always an adventure being on the water and today we found a sunken boat close to the marina in about 10' of water. Thankfully for these folks they were close to shore.

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.com 786-853-1409 Follow me on Instagram @MiamiBoneFishing