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| SAILFISH |
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The best months are normally May through August, but Sailfish are caught in good numbers all year round. The slowest months are from late August through November. They are generally caught 10-30 miles out while trolling ballyhoo with circle hooks. The “bait and switch” with a teaser and pitch bait is the most popular and most fun when the fishing is hot. Sailfish can also be caught on live bait and on the fly. Always use circle hooks for Sailfish. |
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| MARLIN |
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November to March are normally the best months for Marlin. Less marlin are caught from April to June when it rises again through September. But…big Blue (most abundant), Black and Striped Marlin are always around and the boats that target them usually have some success. You may need to go a little farther and fish a little harder, but Marlin fishermen are familiar with that. Marlins are generally caught 20-50 miles out while trolling lures and/or ballyhoo with circle hooks. The “bait and switch” with teasers and pitch baits is the most popular method on the big boats. Live bait is best when you find the fish. Marlin can also be caught on the fly if the Marlin is small and you are really lucky. |
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| DORADO |
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The Dorado fishing is above average year round. The more rainy months of September through October is the best time to catch the 5-15 pounders that congregate on the weed and trash lines closer inshore and in the gulf. The rest of the year, the bigger Dorado are generally further offshore in the “blue water” with the bait and the Sailfish, 20 to 50 pound Dorado are very common when fishing for Sailfish and 60 and 70 pound Dorado are caught every month. |
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| TUNA |
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Yellowfin Tuna are caught throughout the year, with peak months August through October. It’s not uncommon to pick up a 100 plus pound Yellowfin when fishing for Sailfish. The big Tuna come and go all year long but June through September are normally the best months for 200 pounders. Tuna are generally caught 10-30 miles out. Yellowfin will bite on the same lures and ballyhoo rigs that are used to catch Sailfish. Tuna are usually found feeding with Dolphins especially Spinner Dolphins. If you can find feeding dolphins you can target tuna with cedar plugs and deeper running trolling lures like the green machine. Live bait is best for the big Tuna…get in front of the feeding pack and drop your live bait down and hold on. |
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| WAHOO |
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Wahoo can be a pleasant surprise anytime of the year, with the peak season being May-August. Not many fisherman target Wahoo, they are usually caught while fishing for something else. Wahoo is generally caught trolling near offshore rocks and structure 10-30 miles out. Wahoo will strike lures, spoons and ballyhoo rigs. If you are going to target Wahoo use wire leaders, fish with planers and downriggers and troll twice as fast as you normally would. |
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| ROOSTERFISH |
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The Roosterfish and Jack bite is good year round. May through September is considered the best time but Roosterfish from 20 to 80 pounds are caught every month. There are some excellent spots for big Roosterfish and hold on because they hit like a freight train. Find the bait and you will find the Rooster fish. Roosterfish are generally caught slow trolling live bait near inshore rocks, reefs and in the surf. Use a downrigger or planer to get your bait down. Roosterfish can also be caught with lures, spoons, ballyhoo rigs and on the fly. |
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| SNAPPER |
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There are several different species of Snapper on the Pacific Coast. The Snapper bite is good year round. Cubera Snapper in the 50 to 80 pound range are not uncommon. Snapper are generally caught casting live bait into rocks and reefs and slow trolling live bait near inshore rocks and reefs with a downrigger or planer. Snapper can also be caught with lures, poppers, spoons, jigs, ballyhoo rigs and on the fly if you are lucky. Crank your drag down and reel as fast as can when you first hook a big Snapper because they will run back to the rocks or reef and break off your line. |
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