Jodie Lynn, LLC

What’s On Your Wish List?

2026-04-28

What do you want to catch? May brings the best opportunity to target a large variety of species. Would you like Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, a Billfish, or Grouper, Amberjack, Mutton Snapper or a host of other reef fish species. This year, thanks to Governor De Santis, the Red Snapper opening will hopefully be May 22^nd.

May is probably the best month for Gulfstream fishing. Mahi show up in large numbers, Tuna are still around, Wahoo, and Billfish hang around as well. The water is still cool inshore so pelagic fish are bunched up on the Gulfstream Highway. This is the trolling game and we typically pull a mixture of monofilament and wire rigs with normal spreads of 8 lines - 2 from the bridge, 4 from the outriggers, a flatline and 1 down deep. Teasers on each side increase your odds tremendously. Medium ballyhoo is our bait of choice. Look for temperature breaks, weed lines or bait, and you will find the fish. If you find all 3 combined, you should be in the meat.

If trolling isn’t your thing or you don’t want to make the 50-mile run to the Gulfstream, bottom fishing will be good from 100ft on out. All grouper species open May 1^st, and the Mangrove and Mutton Snapper will be chewing as well. Grouper require heavy tackle and is a man against beast battle. One hundred# leader is suggested. I always tell people act like there’s a million dollars on the end of your line. The first 10 to 15 feet is critical because they will do everything in their power to get back into the structure. Mangrove and Mutton Snapper require a little more finesse with lighter, longer leaders required for bites. I like 60-to-80-pound monofilament but may go as light as 30 pounds. Ten to 15 ft is normal length. I match the hook size to the bait I’m using and just enough weight to get to the bottom.

Hopefully Red Snapper will open on May 22^nd. I encourage everyone to let the Governor know that we fully support state management of Red Snapper and his efforts to reopen the fishery.

Tight Lines

“Let’s go Fishing”

Captain Robert Johnson

Mahi Madness

2026-04-01

Mahi, Dorado or more commonly called Dolphin are a favorite of NE FL anglers. I call them Mahi so customers don’t mistakenly think we are targeting Flipper - lol. The best fishing typically is around the full moon. Fortunately for anglers, Mahi aren’t picky. When you find them, they are more than willing to eat.

Mahi prefer water temps from 74 degrees and above. Temperature changes, current breaks, and weed lines are prime habitat for Mahi. If you find any two or more of the above conditions, it’s game on!

Mahi take a variety of baits, but I’ve found less is best. It’s hard to beat a medium Ballyhoo rigged naked - no skirt. When a fish comes into the spread, allow him to take the bait in free spool, it ensures a solid hookup. If sea conditions are choppy, a sea witch skirt or small headed lure will help keep your baits in the water.

There will be other species available as well. Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Wahoo will be in the mix. For Wahoo, we pull one line down deep on a planner. To limit bite offs, we pull this bait on #9 wire. My favorite rig is a Blue and White Islander rigged with a large ballyhoo.

On the bottom there will be plenty of Triggerfish, Vermillion, and Mutton Snapper. Vermilions and Triggers will take a variety of cut bait. Muttons are a little finickier and require a longer leader. I prefer a Sardine on 80# monofilament leader at least 12 ft in length using just enough lead to get your bait to the bottom.

Whatever you choose to target, April is a great month to go fishing. Temperatures are mild and seas are getting calmer. It’s a great time to go to the Gulfstream.

Call me - Let’s Go Fishing!

Captain Robert Johnson

Enough Of Winter

2026-03-02

One of the many reasons I live in Florida is I hate cold. I’m very ready for winter to be over and March to usher in milder temperatures with less cold fronts. And, most importantly, Spring brings in great Bluewater fishing.

In addition to Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna, I expect to see some early season Mahi. If Tuna and Wahoo are your target, best start is on the shelf edge. Tuna and Wahoo love to hold on structure. For Tuna long monofilament leaders with naked ballyhoo or the tried-and-true cedar plug is the way to go. I like 80# mono and Blue and white being my color choice. I like to mix in some wire riggs for the inevitable Wahoo bite. Mid-morning I start looking to the east anticipating an edge that will be holding Mahi / Dorado / Dolphin - whatever name you prefer! These tasty, hard fighting fish are the highlight of Spring fishing. Fortunately for fisherman, this species is not picky. If you find them, they will eat…mostly Ballyhoo rigged naked or with a small skirt on monofilament increases your hookups. Teasers are a must and look to get bites on the short rigger baits as well as the flat lines. We always pull something deep in the water column rigged on wire for any Wahoo that might still be around. A staple of the charter fleet is an Islander Hawaiian Eye in front of medium ballyhoo.

If bottom fishing is your thing, there are plenty of species that are open and available. Vermillion Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, Mutton Snapper, and many other species willing and ready to bite.

It’s a great time to go fishing. Not hot. Not cold. Just right. Here’s to an early Spring with warmer days.

Let’s go Fishing,

Capt. Robert Johnson