Dolphin are one of the most
exciting game fish and are found world wide in tropical
waters. After being hooked, they are colorful acrobats and
hard fighters. The larger fish tend to run together as a
pair while the smaller fish tend to school together. These
schools can be found around any structure: weed lines, logs,
boxes, etc. Dolphin are also very quick in growth and they
spawn prolifically.
Dolphin can be
found in blue water with temperatures between 72 to 80
degrees. They also love structure. When you see anything
floating in the water, you head directly for it and drag or
cast baits to lure ‘em out.
One of the best
baits is the ballyhoo, Hemiramphus brasiliensis,
rigged with a plastic skirt or trolling lure. They will also
take a cigar minnows, mullet and bonito belly. Menhaden,
pilchards, pinfish and goggle-eyes are great live baits.
Other live baits can be caught with Sabiki rigs under the
floating structure and weed lines.
Trolling around
weed lines and current rips in the right water temperatures
is a good beginning in finding dolphin. When you find a
school, you should leave the first fish in the water,
allowing it to swim freely. This will spur the interest of
the others and draw them to the boat and the action will
begin. Using stout spinning outfits with cut bait is all you
need. If you feel adventurous, you can break out the 9 to 10
wt fly rod with a popper type fly. |