[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ugust is the wakeup call for dolphin and tuna, off of North Bimini. The closer to Issacs the better your chances are with your catch.
Tuna will be skittish, so live bait and lighter test lines will increase your chances of landing some tasty sushi. Dolphin, on the other hand, will be very hungry as they use this month to fatten up before migrating north.
Yellowtail, grouper and bottom fishing should remain strong in August if it’s a repeat of last year. So not having to go very far, south of Cat Cay Lighthouse in about 60 feet should give you enough tail to keep you busy cleaning them at the dock for a few hours. Please be sure to bring an anchor ball and ring set up to help you retrieve your anchor; there have been many left on the rocky bottom due to the inability to get them up.
Deep dropping has been the best bet! Always look on your fish finder while trolling in 700- to 900-feet of water for activity on the bottom, so when you find them just hit the man-over-button (MOB) to mark your spots on your GPS. Yellow-eye snappers are consistent in 650- to 750-feet of water; you can fill your cooler very quickly. Queen snappers are in about 1400-feet of water. These fish are very concentrated and easy to find; having a good depth sounder is key.
Don’t forget Bimini Big Game Club will host its Wahoo Smackdown V in November. Captains Meeting on November 13, and wahoo fishing November 14 and 15. Last year’s tournament over 120 fish, with one weighing in at 99-pounds, were caught by just 27 boats. Entry fee is just $1,250.00 per boat and includes four anglers.
Remember, Bimini is just 48 miles away. We have the best sunsets and we’re so close that on a clear night you can see the glow of Miami.