College Football Championship Charter January 11, 2021

 I had the pleasure of fishing with Scott and his two boys, Elliott and Ames today for a half day in the morning who were in town from Alabama to attend the championship game.  I launched out of Homestead and ran to Key Biscayne to pick them up and on the way my heart sank.  We have 7 houses left in the famous area of Stiltsville and one of them was on fire.  As soon as I got out of the channel in Homestead 20 plus miles south I could see the smoke billowing and hoped for the best.  As I got closer and ran past the house it was confirmed, we lost another one.  

But, on to a more upbeat report.  Scott and the boys were great, smoked through 10 dozen baits and Elliott got his first snook.  They also caught jack crevalles, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, hors eye jacks and of course the snook.  Way to go guys and good tluck tonight! 

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

November 14, 2015 Report

On a business trip from Virginia, Mike booked for a late morning trip to target bonefish but the weather didn't cooperate for bonefishing. Last night when we spoke the trip was up in the air as the forecast was calling for 20 mile an hour winds and lots of rain but it turned out we had surprisingly good weather for the first part of the trip. The short run to our first spot, and our only spot of the trip, produced constant action on spinner shark, ladyfish, quite a few trout, and constant bent rods and screaming drags. We tried to stay close to the marina as we could see some threatening weather building and eventually we had to get off the water and run back before the more intense parts of the storm hit us. It was a short but intense trip and tomorrow we're taking out his boss. No pressure!

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

August 16, 2015 AM & PM Reports

AM Report Tom and his friend David are affiliated with the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust through support and Tom's daughter is a scientist that works for the BTT so with a nice early morning low tide they jumped aboard for some bonefishing. I headed straight to a flat that has been producing well for me and we waited for bones as the tide came in. The bones certainly showed up with a good number of tailing fish but they remained out of casting distance. Poling a few other flats provided a few shots at mudding bonefish but no hook ups. PM Report Ibrahim and his new wife Bahtta are from Kuwait and they were in Miami on their honeymoon. Bahtta had never fished before so I really wanted her to catch a few fish this afternoon. We hit a few spots that were slow but the last one held some fish and Ibrahim had a blast videoing Bahtta catch her first fish and her second and her, well you get the picture. Having had their fill we headed to the flats for some shark fishing. We didn't have to wait long until they showed up and we were able to sight cast to sharks which we fun and kept both Ibrahim and Bahtta busy. These were great folks and we had some great conversations and tons of fun!

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

December 22, 2014 Report

Dan and his wife Ashley were in town from N.J. and took some time to explore Biscayne Bay. The fishing started slow with a few trout, caught by Ashley who reminded Dan she usually out fishes him anyway, and no tarpon to be found. We ended the day fishing the finger channels in between the flats and caught snappers before heading to the flats to look for sharks. The shark were apparently hanging out with the tarpon as they were MIA so we called it a day.

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

December 16, 2014 Report

Today I fished with Richard for a relaxing day on the bay. We had absolutely gorgeous weather and calm winds. The goal was to fish a few spots for snapper and see what was hanging out in Biscayne Bay today. After looking in several places for bait and finding none, the live shrimp in the live well would do. The finger channels were a bit slow but we managed to catch mangrove snappers, small grouper, bar jacks, mutton snappers and a few mystery fish that ended our relationship sooner than we would have hoped. All in all it was a nice day.

Capt. Mo Estevez www.MiamiBoneFishing.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.”

Biscayne Bay Tarpon Season is Here!

4.8.2011
Well guys, tarpon season has arrived in Biscayne Bay and tarpon fever is afflicting us bad. Clear skies, warm weather and an incoming tide are ideal conditions for Oceanside tarpon fishing and today was no exception. Getting a late start this morning we expected the traditional Oceanside spots to be filled to capacity with flats skiffs and as I rounded a point that proved to be the case. However, always having a backup plan is critical and the back-up plan paid off as expected. Finding an active and unmolested school of tarpons, we staked out and took shot after shot at these big silver fish. Finally we saw a big silver flash, the line came tight and the drag started to sing. A massive jump later the estimated 90lb tarpon shook the hook free and was off to catch his breath as did we. Shots at big permit and bonefish were not rewarded with a hook set. Although, it it is always exciting to see these fish coming towards the bow of the skiff making even the most skilled angler get nervous and force himself to maintain his composure. The tides will be strong this weekend so get out there and have fun.

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

Conservation News

FWC proposes catch-and-release only for bonefish



The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed draft rules on Wednesday that would allow only catch-and-release fishing for bonefish, a premier saltwater game fish in Florida. The proposed rules would also establish new provisions regarding the possession of bonefish by anglers and the possession and transport of bonefish during bonefish fishing tournaments.

“Bonefish are an extremely valuable Florida game fish,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “These proposed rules will further protect bonefish populations in South Florida, while providing anglers with opportunities to document a record catch and enjoy the exciting action of bonefish fishing tournaments.”

Bonefish are prized by anglers because they are stealthy, fast-swimming fish that are exciting and challenging to catch. South Florida is one of the few places in the United States where anglers can fish for bonefish, and the shallow saltwater flats of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay are considered a world-class destination for catching large, trophy-sized bonefish. A recent study by scientists at the University of Miami estimated the value of a single bonefish in the Florida Keys to be $3,500 each year, and nearly $75,000 over the lifespan of the fish.

Based on bonefish’s economic value as a game fish, the FWC’s proposed draft rules would eliminate the one-fish daily bag limit for bonefish and allow only catch-and-release fishing. Most anglers already release the bonefish they catch as a conservation measure.

The proposed rules would also allow anglers to temporarily possess a bonefish where it is caught, so they can photograph and measure or weigh the fish to document a possible record catch. In addition, the proposed rules would allow anglers participating in specially permitted tournaments to temporarily possess and transport bonefish to tournament check-in stations for weigh-in under specified conditions. These fish would still have to be carefully handled and eventually released.

More information regarding the FWC’s bonefish draft rule proposal is available online at MyFWC.com/Commission, linked from the Feb. 23-24 meeting agenda, and a final public hearing on these rule proposals will take place in April.