[dropcap]R[/dropcap]ing in the new year with sailfish, mahi and blackfin tuna. If you’re not pulling dredge teasers yet, that might be a good resolution. 2016 is here, and after the last couple months, we can only hope that the weather this year will be a little more accommodating for us South Florida fisherman. January is typically my favorite time year to fish out of Stuart. As a rule, it offers crisp sunny days, cold northwest winds and water temperatures threatening to drop to the low 60s. As the waters off Georgia and the Carolinas drop to temperatures considered “less than desirable”, droves of sailfish, dolphin and blackfin tuna migrate down our coastline being pushed by the frigid waters above. As they reach the warmer, more suitable waters off the Treasure Coast, schools of hearing, sardines, and other baitfish along the reef systems are already here to greet them. My favorite way to fish off Stuart this time year is definitely by trolling. Aboard Off the Chain we use dredges to attract fish and ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks as baits. Make sure your Yeti is stocked though, because it’s not unheard of to go through over a 100 ballyhoo in a day. Stuart is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World and January is its peak season. The best thing about targeting sailfish is it’s a great way to target a multitude of species around here too. Dolphin, blackfin tuna, little tunny, cobia, kingfish and even wahoo are common by-catches while targeting sailfish off the Treasure Coast. Whether you’re trolling or live baiting, both are excellent options; fish around color changes, current edges, suspended bait, bottom, or anything else that might hold fish in depths from 75-220 feet of water. Keep your eyes peeled though! Sailfish are extremely curious, but it’s important that you see them when they are back there because they do not always bite without being coerced. Sometimes sailfish will follow dredge teasers for as many as six or seven minutes before leaving without committing to a hook bait. And that’s with you trying to get a bite out of him. A good pair of Costa Del Mar glasses will let you see what’s back there, and allow you to entice and enjoy what’s one of the most exciting parts of fishing in my opinion. The bite!
Dredges can consist of ballyhoo, mullet or even rubber fish. They can be as small as 5 or 6 baits or as big as 50 some. Certain circumstances and scenarios may call for different size dredges for optimum performance, but at any given time they all seem to work. Whether you’re using multiple large double dredges, or just a small single, keep it easy and hands-free by pulling them off Canon 10 TS downriggers from your smaller boats, or off a good set of Rupp outriggers from your larger boats. Dredge teasers are extremely effective and important, especially this time year. If you’re wondering why you’re not catching as much as the guy next to you, it just might be the dredge. For daily fishing reports along with “how to videos” or, if you’d like to post a question, check out and “Like” our Facebook page Off the Chain Fishing Charters.
Thanks for checking in, and I hope your 2016 is Off the Chain!
