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.”

Biscayne Bay Tarpon Week of 4/28

Tarpon season is in full swing and the action is hot night and day. For many, day time tarpon fishing is during the crowded weekends or the rare day off during the week day. Well, night time tarpon fishing has been good, offering an alternative to those that can't make it out during the day. Government Cut and Bear Cut have been producing plenty of big tarpons during the outgoing tides on big live crabs. Some of these are big boys in the 150lb range so rig accordingly. Get out on the water and have fun!

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

Biscayne Bay Report Week of April 23rd

Week of 4.23.11

This week has been a week of diversity for me. One day we tarpon fished the Oceanside of Biscayne Bay with Dr. Carlos V. and when that slowed down we were off to bonefish. The tarpons were moving south along the Oceanside flats and moving well in the early morning with each string holding lots of large fish. When we switched to bonefish later in the day, the bonefishing was really good as well with numerous shots at bonefish throughout the rest of the day.
The following trip would be with Dr. Daniel R. who wanted to learn how to fish Biscayne Bay. We were busy all day, first on Oceanside tarpons, then off to the finger channels for some rod bending fun and then we wrapped up the day on the west side of Biscayne Bay getting into about plenty of snook.
The last trip of the week was with a great couple from Philadelphia, Debra, Jack and their kids. With the wind blowing 20 MPH from the east and having no place to hide in the flats around Stiltsville, we pressed on and found bonefish around Soldiers including one school of big fish pushing massive amounts of water. This is always an awesome sight!

Well, it’s been a good week and off to enjoy the next one. Get out there, have fun and make that drag scream!

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

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