Archived April 2016 update: Fishing observations, seasonal openings, and charter activities below reflect that period. Confirm current offerings and species-specific regulations before booking.
I finally sat down to write an update and discovered my spring break report never made it to completion. The short version: March gave us plenty of great trips! Now April is bringing warmer water, clearer conditions, and slightly longer stretches of calm weather.
With new fish arriving and more opportunities to get in the water, choosing which direction to go may be the hardest part.
Snorkeling and Spring Preparation
In-water activities are moving back toward the top of the list. We have enjoyed some great snorkeling outings, and I have a few spearfishing trips scheduled during this reporting period.
Preparation matters for every outing, especially when getting in the water. Review the Trip Tips on my website, share the information with your group, and make sure you understand the skills and equipment involved in your chosen activity.
Lobster season was closed at the time of this April report. The May 1 reopening for the seasonally closed grouper fishery gave us something else to look forward to.
Yellowtail Snapper and Grouper on the Reef
Rod-and-reel fishing has been excellent. Yellowtail snapper have been improving in both size and numbers, and I expect them to remain an important part of our trips as the water warms.
We have also had an excellent stretch of catch-and-release grouper fishing, including fish up to 35 pounds. Those reef bullies have provided some memorable battles, and I am looking forward to keeper opportunities when the applicable season reopens.
Wreck Fishing Rewards Patience
A little farther out, the wrecks have produced some decent mutton snapper fishing. This is generally about working toward a few quality fish rather than expecting constant action.
Mutton snapper and grouper can be hit or miss. Bonita, jacks, barracuda, kingfish, and sharks often add activity while we work through the opportunities.
Offshore Tuna, Dolphin, and Deep Dropping
Calmer weather should give us more chances to run offshore for tuna and dolphin, also called mahi-mahi. The tuna have been mostly football-sized, but plentiful. They pull hard for their size, and getting them past the sharks adds another challenge.
Dolphin have not arrived in large numbers yet, although some boats have been finding a few. I am watching for more opportunities as the season develops.
Electric deep dropping is another option when conditions and regulations allow. During this period, we could target certain deep-water snapper, grouper, jacks, and tilefish around 800 feet down. It offers a different pace and a chance to add variety to an offshore outing.
Sharks, Tarpon, and Permit
Closer to shore, shallow-water catch-and-release shark trips have been providing opportunities for powerful fish, commonly in the 50–150-pound range. These outings can introduce anglers to bigger fights when the conditions and group are a suitable match.
Bridge tarpon are a more demanding challenge. These turbocharged giant minnows jump, run, and use the bridge structure to their advantage. Early and late periods of lower light generally give us the better feeding windows.
Permit on the deeper wrecks offer another specialized option. In calm conditions, we may be able to sight-cast crabs to schooling fish. Their speed and nearby structure make teamwork, technique, and a little luck important parts of the fight.
Tell Me About Your Group
With so many possibilities, start by telling me your goals. I will help match the activity to your group and the expected conditions. Staying flexible gives us more room to find a worthwhile outing.
Please complete the notes section of your reservation with your group size, interests, experience, and any concerns or support needs. Even if we have spoken by phone, having those details attached to the booking helps me keep everything straight.
Discuss mobility limitations, recent injuries, or other health considerations that could affect boarding or participation before reserving. That gives us time to consider adjustments and decide whether the boat and activity are appropriate. The goal is to prepare around your needs rather than discover an important detail at the dock.
Thank You for Supporting the Business
Building this business over the past four years has been a labor of love. I have worked to improve the equipment, expand the activities, and create trips around what guests want to experience.
Your recommendations and honest reviews on TripAdvisor or Google help other visitors understand that approach. If you have spent a day aboard, I appreciate you taking a few minutes to share what it was like. Thank you for helping the business grow.
If you are looking at all these spring options and wondering where to start, send me your group’s interests and experience levels. I’ll help you choose a fishing or water adventure that fits the day you want to have.
