Fishing report
LAKE OKEECHOBEE Lots of small bass were biting swimbaits, plastic frogs and spinnerbaits around the outside grass lines. The best fishing has been early in the morning, then anglers were flipping around reeds.
EVERGLADES/ FRESHWATER Bass up to 6 pounds were biting swimbaits and spinnerbaits in the Lake Ida- Lake Osborne Chain of Lakes. Peacock bass were biting floating Rapalas and topwater plugs in Miami’s urban canals.
SOUTH FLORIDA INSHORE Look for snook around local inlets, as well as by bridges and docks in the Intra coasta lWaterway. Redfish were biting good in Florida Bay.
SOUTH FLORIDA OFFSHORE Capt. Stan Hunt, of Hillsboro Inlet Marina charter boat Rebound, said bonitos were plentiful, but he was catching a few wahoos and dolphin as shallow as 200 feet. More dolphin were in 700 feet onWednesday along a nice edge. Thursday morning, Capt. Mario Cote ´ , of No Vacansea, caught 12 dolphin 24- 26 inches around birds and some weeds in 900 feet off the steeple. Capt. Ron Albert, of Fintastic, said small keeper dolphin and lots of throwbacks were biting off Haulover Inlet.
THE KEYS The best bet has been fishing for yellowtail snappers on the reefs. Dolphin were biting good one day and so- so the next. There were some blackfin tunas at the humps, along with lots of sharks.
Notebook
Free fishing: Sunday is saltwater license- free fishing day. Florida residents and visitors can fish in saltwater without a recreational saltwater fishing license. Visit myfwc. com.
Inshore tournament: El Capitan’s Battle On The Bay Inshore Charity Tournament is Sept. 7. Eligible species are bonefish, sea trout, redfish and permit. Proceeds benefit the Autism Society. The captains meeting is 7: 30 p. m. Sept. 5 at 14121 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami. Call 305- 233- 3250.
IGFA classes: The IGFA School of Sportfishing begins Sept. 10 with the first of eight classes. Cost is $ 100 per class for IGFA members and $ 150 for non- members. Capt.
Tony DiGiulian teaches “Fundamentals of Sportfishing” from 7- 10 p. m. Sept. 10 at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach. Topics include bait rigging, knots, crimping, making leaders and sharpening hooks. Other classes are on snook, tarpon, live bait, daytime swordfishing, bottom fishing, kite fishing and wahoo. Registration is required for each class. Contact Anthony Vedral at 954- 924- 4254 or avedral@ igfa. org.
Fall fishing: Capt. Bouncer Smith has a seminar entitled “Fall Tuna, Mahi, Snapper and More” from 6: 30- 8 p. m. Sept. 12 at Dusky Sport Center, 110 N. Bryan Road, Dania Beach. The cost is $ 15 and redeemable for merchandise at the store. Call 954- 922- 8890.
Snakehead tournament: JD’s Custom Baits has its final Snakehead Round Up of 2013 from safe light- 2 p. m. Sept. 14 out of Veterans Memorial Park in Margate. Entry fee is $ 20 per team or individual. The biggest snakehead wins all the money, but you must bring in at least five snakeheads for your biggest one to count. Visit jdscustombaits. com or call 754- 816- 2248.
More online For an expanded fishing report, outdoors notebook and outdoors calendar, go to SunSentinel. com/ outdoors.