I just returned from a "business" trip to Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood FL). I did not have many opportunities to enjoy the fishing in the area, but my eyes remained open at all times. I spent most of my days on a boat, within a few miles from shore.
The first day the ocean greeted me (without my fishing rods) with schools of kingfish and spanish mackerel terrorizing the wide variety of life underneath weed clumps (flotsam) in the riplines. These fish would engage the little pods of bait in a surface cruising, tuna-like fashion. My blood would boil at the site of these attacks and left me wishing for much less work and a lot more fishing. I would not be to sea again without my gear.
That first day I also got the privilege to witness a rather large sailfish participate in one of these melees at a rather close range to my boat. I could see the spear, sail, and the energetic, blazing stripes of this impressive fish when he hit the surface no more than 20 yards from the boat. The fish was moving at least 20kts and just grazed the surface with his entire body, side up, sending a school of flying fish into the air, over the chop and into another wave some 100 yards upwind. As a side note, the flying fish is probably one of the neatest little animals I have ever seen in the ocean. They spread their wings, throttle the tail, and hover for hundreds of yards at a time over the troughs and peaks of waves. Sometimes all at once, in schools of 50 or more, holding formation the entire flight. At night I would see them fly over the bow of the whaler, just forward of the console. We were always spooking them up.
During my time floating around, the weeks weather was variable enough for me to attempt to visually pattern the movements of fish and bait. I may have not done a completely thorough job, but the activity did become somewhat predictable as the days passed. A strong east/northeast wind flow seemed to bring activity closer to the beach (30-150ft of water). The clearly defined riplines carrying weed and forage would shift closer or further from the beach as a function of this breeze. The quiet days would put this activity out into the 200-600ft water (another mile or two out). I can't imagine what was happening at the edge of the gulf stream, just a mere 5-10 miles form the shore. The surface feeding fish always seemed to rise on one side or the other of these little offshore rivers during the day, nosing into the current or heading downcurrent. Go figure, feeding with the current, even out in the ocean.
We did get a northerly gale early in the week, which kept our days business at the shore. From the beach you could see the waves on the gulf stream in the distance. The locals called it "the elephant march". The gulf stream flows north at 5 or 6 kts this time of year (I was told) and when a strong northerly wind prevails the waves stand at such impressive heights that the activity is clearly visible from shore. Look at it through a telescope and you'll be taken back at the size of these standing waves. The race ain't got nothin on this show!
Inside Port Everglades the tug boat and Cruise ship captains put on impressive daily shows as well. These guys could do things with 50,000 long tons that I couldn't do in a rubber raft. It was really impressive. One of the busiest ports I've ever seen.
Back to the fish...
I saw a lot of boats trolling, kite fishing or just otherwise drinking and driving, enjoying the weather with the rods out. But for all the boats about, I didn't see too much success. I found out later that the early morning crowd, leaving the area just after the masses of daytime fisherman arrived, were making the killings. The majority of the Florida fisherman's attitudes were more of a take it slow, enjoy the day, get lucky if we can type. I can't really argue with that. It was Florida weather after all. But for every 20 fishing boats (and there were dozens in one area at a time) it seemed that there were only a handful "actively" making an attempt to fish and find success. Even some charters just seemed to troll around hoping for the best at times. I can't really talk too much though, as I did not have much luck trolling little ballyhoo around when I got the chance either. I guess I just expected to see more catching, since I was seeing so many fish moving about.
The inlet to Port Everglades itself provided a large majority of the activity for me to observe during some days. When the tide would turn and build to a strong ebb, the edges of this rip would begin to roil with activity. The green water of the intercoastal would create a stunning visual edge between itself and the deep blue offshore water moving north. I have never seen anything quite like it. Spanish Macks, Kingfish, Jacks and all other things fishy would explode along this edge. All the while, most boats would fire right across it in order to find more fishy water. I really couldn't believe it. If this rip were transported to New England, the crowd of fisherman trying to cash in on it would be overwhelming. But the Floridians just left the fish be, which I suppose is a good thing.
It was very difficult for me to distinguish between the inshore and offshore fisherman down there. The depth contours along this section of the coast roll off very quickly. One does not have very far to travel at all to go from 30ft water to 600ft water. Only about 3 or 4 miles and the focus would go from sails and mackerel to yellowfin and other billfish.
I asked one guy where he went to catch yellowfin. He said "offshore". I asked what he considered offshore. He said "3 miles"............ Hello!
Ask a NE fisherman where he catches yellowfin and never mind the mileage being in 3 digits, he'll have trouble pronouncing the 45 character name of the particular canyon crevice he was fishing around. These guys in Florida are spoiled. I suppose I would be too though. :)
If anyone gets a chance to go to this area during March/April (and apparently May) I'd highly recommend it. Even if you don't fish, which you will when you get there, the quantity of marine life is absolutely mind boggling. Sailfish and Humpbacks one day. Giant sea turtles and tunoids the next. The place was full of wonders for the eyes.
For me, 2 Jack Crevalle off the pier and a good tan was all I got. I got the jacks just like I would fishing at home. The next time I go there I hope I get more time to try my hand at some of the "offshore" fishing this place has to offer. Seems like a great springtime destination for the New Englander dying to get the season kicked off and rolling.
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