Fishing report
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Live bait anglers were catching some big bass on shiners, as well as shellcrackers and bluegills using worms and crickets.
EVERGLADES/FRESHWATER
Largemouth bass were biting everything from crankbaits and jerkbaits to soft-plastic swimbaits and ribbontail worms in the canals along Tamiami Trail and Alligator Alley.
SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE
Tarpon were biting around the bridges and channels in the Keys. Snook and black drum were biting live pilchards and shrimp around Gulf coast river mouths in Everglades National Park.
SOUTH FLORIDA OFFSHORE
Capt. Mario Cote´ of Hollywood caught two sailfish and some kingfish Thursday afternoon fishing out of Port Everglades Inlet on No Vacansea. Capt. Chris Lemieux of Boynton Beach said dolphin bit great when seas were rough earlier in the week, but you’d probably have to head far offshore to catch them now with the calmer weather. Kingfish averaging 8 pounds were scattered around the reefs, along with a few cobias and some nice snappers.
THE KEYS
Fishing the reefs for yellowtail snappers has been good. Some anglers were catching lots of dolphin around debris and birds. Small blackfin tunas were biting at the humps.
Outdoors notebook
Saltwater Shootout: The Mercury/SeaVee Pompano Beach Saltwater Shootout is Saturday out of Hillsboro Inlet Park. Weigh-in starts at 4 p.m. Visit bluewatermovements.com.
Hunter safety: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a hunter safety Internet-completion course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the clubhouse at the Markham Park Shooting Range, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise. Students must complete the Internet course before coming to class and bring a copy of the final report. An adult must accompany children under 16. To register, visit myfwc.com/huntersafety or call 561-625-5122.
Nature walks: Miramar Pineland, 3600 S. University Drive, Miramar, has twice-monthly Sunset Nature Walks for ages 6 and up from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The next walk is Sunday. Cost is $3 per person. To register, call the park at 954-357-8776. Other walks are June 3 and 7.
Dolphin seminar: Capt. Bouncer Smith has a seminar on fishing for dolphin from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Dusky Sport Center, 110 N. Bryan Rd., Dania Beach. Cost is $15 and redeemable for merchandise. Call 954-922-8890.
Fishing Rodeo: The 50th annual Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo is May 15-16 out of Alsdorf Boat Ramp Park. The top boat wins $10,000. Visit pompanofishingrodeo.com.
Dolphins tournament: The annual Miami Dolphins Foundation Fishing Tournament is May 16 out of Miami Beach Marina. Anglers can fish on a boat with a Dolphins player. Entry fees start at $1,500 for two anglers. The Hook & Tackle Captains’ Party is 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 15. Visit miamidolphins.com/community/fins-weekend/fishing.html.