Friday, March 1, 2019

Double Digit Sailfish




We had a group of clients from out of town aboard the L&H to do some Miami Charter Fishing. After catching some live bait in Biscayne Bay it was time to head offshore into the gulf stream and try some kite fishing. Shortly after setting the baits, two sailfish appeared and were both hooked and jumping behind the custom 46' Hatteras, L&H. Both of our anglers did great, making for two successful sailfish releases to start the day! Later on that morning the team added some bonitas and another sailfish to the tally before the current died. With deteriorating conditions the captain headed the boat up the coast toward Key Biscayne. It was looking very promising and as we slowed the boat and set the baits back out. Strong north current and cobalt blue water were the conditions we hoped for and I knew more sails would rise up soon! Over the next hour and a half we caught 2 more double header sails and a single giving us a total of 8 for the day so far. All of the sudden a pack of sails came up behind the boat. In short order we were hooked to a quad! Unfortunately 2 of the fish got away but we managed to catch the other 2 and ended the day with an awesome 10 sailfish releases while charter fishing off of Miami Beach aboard the L&H.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Blue Marlin, Tuna and Mahi..What a Day!!



We had couple from overseas on the L&H to do some Miami Fishing. The weather was beautiful. With flat calm seas and cobalt blue water our custom 46' Hatteras seemed as if it was gliding effortlessly into the gulf stream. Off in the distance I could see birds circling and diving with fish crashing below. "TUNA!!", I yelled to the crew as we approached the feeding gamefish. Without hesitation the lines were set and they were bit immediately! The couple sprang into action and began catching nice size tuna one after another. Doubles and triple headers of the gamefish were the norm rather than the exception and our Bullbuster mono was doing the trick, even with heavy drag. In short order, our team put a dozen nice tuna in the L&H's icy hold. From there there crew reset the spread and we resumed our hunt. From my perch in the tower, high above the surface of the water I spotted a big fish closing in on the right teaser! "BLUE MARLIN!!!", I shouted with enthusiasm. the big blue marlin charged the teaser and lunged after it time and time again with each attempt at the teaser, more aggressive than the previous! With perfect light and crystal clear blue water the now angry blue marlin was completely lit up, giving me (and everyone else on the boat) one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen off of Miami! The fish teased all the way in and continued lunging after the teaser, even after it was hanging from the rigger! The crew presented the pitch bait with precision and accuracy and the hungry blue marlin engulfed it. I put the L&H in reverse and the Cummins engines came to life as we charged backwards after the greyhounding marlin. Our angler did an incredible job as we chased the fish all over the ocean. Finally after several incredible series of jumps and some other maneuvers we had the 300lb marlin at boat side for a clean release. It was truly an incredible catch from start to finish and one I won't soon forget! We continued fishing and before long started catching nice mahi-mahi. The mahi action remained consistent and before days end we added a bunch to the fish box including a couple of 25lb bulls! It was an unforgettable day and just goes to show that you never know what will happen when you step on board the L&H for a day of Miami Charter Fishing!!

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Great Morning Trip with The Briestra Family



The Briestra Family has been fishing with us on the L&H for quite some time. We always look forward to seeing them and especially enjoy their oldest boy, Noah. Noah is always very excited to do some Miami fishing and he always sports his L&H t-shirt with pride.
The weather was nice as the L&H cruised into the cobalt blue waters of the gulf stream. Once the fish finder read 1000 feet of water below us, the crew set the lines and we began to search for signs of life. It wasn't long before we found a nice weed edge. Several other boats had found the same edge and were running out in front of us. Ignoring the others, we continued trolling and searching to find the fish. Off in the distance I spotted a single tern circling and diving, a good sign of hungry gamefish below. We followed the bird for a while but as we got close it flew away. We continued toward the spot where the bird last was. Then a single flying fish jumped up off in the distance. I quickly steered the L&H toward the fleeing flyer and looked down into the water to see what had spooked the baitfish. "I got em!" I yelled to the crew, "get ready". It was a big school off nice sized mahi, migrating to the south. I can't believe everyone ran past these, I thought to myself as the team began casting out baits to the big school of fish. It was game on! Before long Ben and his family were all hooked to nice fish. Noah could hardly contain his excitement as he battled fish after fish to the boat and eventually to the L&H's large fishbox. Dad was firing out baits, hooking the fish, and passing the rods off to his family! It was such a pleasure to watch from my perch in the tower. With other boats complaining on the radio about no fish it became obvious we had made the right decision not to race down the edge! We stayed with the school for over and hour. Exhausted, Noah continued to reel in the mahi one after another! Even though he took a couple short breaks, Noah would be the one to put the lions share of fish into the icy hold! When the crew signaled to me that we were close to the limit,  it was time to let the rest of the fish keep going and head the L&H toward shore. Ben and his crew retired to our air-conditioned cabin to cool off for the smooth ride back to the dock. Upon arrival at the marina we took some pictures of the catch and filleted up a bunch of mahi for Ben and his awesome family to enjoy! It was another awesome day of Miami Charter Fishing with our friends the Briestra Family aboard the L&H!

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Blue Marlin and Limit of Mahi with Lucky Noel






Noel has been fishing with us for a while and always seems to have good luck and today would be no different. After a quick stop at the bait spot and loading up with fresh baits the L&H headed into the gulf stream to do some Miami Charter Fishing. After a short run, the crew set the spread and we began searching for offshore gamefish. Suddenly I spotted several mahi swimming below the cobalt blue water of the gulf stream. "Throw out here!" I ordered as the crew cast live baits with pin point accuracy and without hesitation. Noel and his crew sprang into action and began working on the fish. Like a well oiled machine, our team fished the school and before long had over twenty-five mahis in the box. As we resumed the hunt out anglers cooled off in the L&H's air conditioned salon as the others scanned the beautiful South Florida waters for more signs of fish. By mid morning we had enjoyed consistent action with more dolphin both trolling as well as sight fishing. Just before noon, I spotted a truly large school of mahi and just like before the gang sprang into action. All of the sudden a big bull dolphin swam up looking for something to eat. We delivered a perfect cast to the big fish and we hooked up immediately. By now several other boats were close and trying to get in on our school. I decided to chase after the bull and let the school swim off. After a tough battle, the angler boated the big bull dolphin as well as the three more we needed for a six man limit. With sore arms for everyone and a limit of mahi in our icy hold, it was time to head inshore and try some wreck fishing. When we arrived at the spot a live blue runner was sent down tho the bottom in 210' near an old shipwreck. Somehow the bait got hung up and the crew broke it free. From my perch in the tower high above the waters surface, I could see a big black shape follow the bait up to the surface. BLUE MARLIN! I quickly yelled as the crew quickly cut the lead off. The marlin did a half circle and engulfed the hapless blue runner right in front of our eyes! I leaned hard on the throttles and raced the L&H in reverse to get the leader and a quick release on the jumping blue marlin. The leader hit the tip and everyone went crazy as the lit up fish swam away to fight another day. We had just released a blue marlin while wreck fishing off Miami! What a day!! A blue marlin and limit of mahi to 35lbs for Noel and his group! It was another great day of Miami Charter Fishing!!

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

What a Day




With winds out of the north, our plans for the day were to take a look offshore and then hit the edge in the afternoon. Our clients for the day were eager to do some Miami charter fishing so it was off to the gulf stream. Once the L&H reached 1000 ft of water off of Key Biscayne I spotted a lone frigate bird off in the distance. As we got closer, the blueish color of a nice mahi caught my eye. Quickly I instructed baits to be presented as more and more fish began showing up. For the next twenty minutes the team worked together to put 25 nice mahimahi in our icy hold. Once we got going again the left rigger took off screaming. Our angler did a great job and after a good battle we added a nice wahoo to our catch. Now it was time to turn our attention to the edge. The conditions were perfect for tailing sailfish and it wasn't long before we started seeing them. For the next few hours we rode around looking for sailfish and casting baits when we found them. Multiple hookups were the norm rather than the exception and by 4:00pm we had released 12 sailfish. Time was running out on out day so we decided to put the kites up for a little bit. Kite fishing proved to be the right decision! In short order we caught two nice blackfin tuna and 3 more sailfish. What a day of charter fishing on the L&H! Dolphin (mahi), wahoo, tuna AND 15 sailfish!! #springfishing

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Back to it!!




We have been off the blog for quite some time, but we are back to it now!

Everything is well the the David Family and the L&H.
The fishing has been very good as of late and the summer in general has been good for the dolphin. There have been some nice wahoos and the occasional tuna on the reef as well. The sailfish have started to begin making their presence known and we have been catching them trolling natural baits. We are looking forward to the fall season of Miami Fishing Charters where we see bigger mahi and wahoo and the sailfishing will be improving all the time!
Stay tuned for more posts on our blog and don't forget to follow us on instagram! @landh_sportfishing

Monday, August 27, 2018

20 for 20






The fishing had been very good and with brisk north winds there was no reason for it to slow down! After catching bait, we decided to look for tailing sailfish right off the bat. Within minutes we spotted a pair of sails and Mike presented two baits with pinpoint accuracy. Both fish raced over and engulfed the frisky live baits. The brilliantly colored billfish put up a tough battle, but were released quickly to fight another day. We resumed our hunt and just like before, we found two more hungry sailfish that were quickly released. For much of the morning our team continued sight fishing the sails until the wind switched out of the east. It was time to put the kites up. Before Mike could get all the kite baits out, we hooked a triple header of sails! I was in awe of how smooth everything was going and how easy Mike made it look. Over the next hour our anglers for the day caught 8 more sails and a couple nice dolphin. By now everyone was tired and relaxing in the air conditioned salon of the L&H. I asked if we could put the baits out one more time and they agreed. Minutes before it was time to go, two feisty sails came to the kite baits. As we had done so many times that day, we hooked both fish and Mike coached our anglers so they were able to release both fish successfully!! This made an incredible 20 sailfish releases out of 20 sailfish bites. It was truly an amazing day and one we will not soon forget!