Fishing report and outdoors notebook

SOUTH FLORIDA OFFSHORE The blackfin tuna bite has been good. Tim Davis of Gladesman Outfitters caught big blackfins on live goggle-eyes fished well behind the boat during an afternoon trip on Been Hooked with Luis Selznick and Bill Miller in 180-230 feet off Fort Lauderdale. Davis said the keys are looking for birds and baitfish showers in blue water and chumming while you drift. Capt. Mario Coté of No Vacansea had some tunas this week fishing out of Port Everglades Inlet and said kingfish were biting trolled baits. Amberjacks were biting “really good” on wrecks, along with yellow jacks and jack crevalles. Dolphin have been scarce.

THE KEYS Richard Stanczyk of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada said the dolphin and daytime swordfish bite picked up this week. His son Nicholas had 20 dolphin between 12 and 30 pounds on one trip. Keeper mutton snappers and black groupers were biting on the reefs.

SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE Tarpon fishing has been good in Florida Bay, with Islamorada guides getting two to four fish per trip. Mangrove snappers, snook, sea trout and bonefish also were biting.

EVERGLADES/FRESHWATER Capt. Alan Zaremba reported good catches of bass 1-3 pounds, oscars, chain pickerel and panfish in the finger canals along the west side of U.S. Highway 27. Bigger bass were biting plastic snakes and jigs in the L-67A Canal.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE With the water level at 11.58 feet, many bass anglers have been fishing in the rim canal with crankbaits and plastic worms around rock piles.

OUTDOORS NOTEBOOK

Alligator hunting: The Phase I application period for recreational alligator hunting permits begins at 10 a.m. today and runs through May 22. Hunters can submit their applications at license agents or gooutdoorsflorida.com. Visit myfwc.com/alligator.

Pompano Rodeo: The 52nd annual Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo is May 19-20 out of Alsdorf Boat Ramp Park. Eligible species are cobia, dolphin, kingfish, blackfin tuna and wahoo. There is also a drift boat division. The kickoff party is 5-10 p.m. Wednesday at Alsdorf Park. Visit pompanofishingrodeo.com or call 954-942-4513.

Dolphins tournament: The Miami Dolphins Foundation has its Fins Weekend Fishing Tournament May 20 out of Rickenbacker Marina in Key Biscayne. Anglers can fish on their own boats or on a boat with a Dolphins celebrity. The kickoff party is 6:30-10 p.m. May 19 at Miami Marine Stadium. Visit finsweekend.com.

Downtown KDW: The third annual Downtown Showdown KDW is May 20 on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. More than $50,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to teams catching the biggest kingfish, dolphin and wahoo. Proceeds benefit the Boy Scouts of America and Lauren’s Kids. Visit downtownshowdownkdw.com.