9-30-12 Offshore Islamorada Fishing Trips Report

Well it's almost time for October Fishing in Islamorada , but we still have a few fish stories to tell from the end of September Fishing in Islamorada. The dolphin (Mahi) bite definitely picked up some the last few days. On the 27th the Relentless really hit the dolphin and had 35 fish, including some gaffers. The Fearless also had about 10 mahi as well as a few tuna. The Bn'M had a few mahi and blackfin tuna near the hump, but got a really good fight out of a 350 lb Dusky Shark! It took 30 minutes to catch and then was released to fight another day. After that we did some bottom fishing and managed a tilefish, snowy grouper, and a limit of vermillion snapper. The Catch 22 went out on a daytime swordfishing charter  and managed to catch a handful of blackfin tuna on the hump on the way out, as well as about a dozen mahi before reaching the swordfish grounds. The swordfished for the after noon and had one bite that didn't get hooked, then no action for a couple hours, before hooking and landing a 193 lb Broadbill Swordfish, Which took close to 2 hours to catch! As October rolls upon us we should start seeing some sailfish near the reef, as well as king mackerel. As far as the dolphin fishing goes, the later it gets in the year the more they'll probably thin out, but if the water stays warms and the sargassum weed still comes through there should be some fish.