Mahi mahi, different sizes 6 to 30 pounds, were gaffed 4 or 5 miles from shore, in 300 to 600 feet, said Capt. Frank Godwin from Sonny Boy Sportfishing. Anglers on deck mostly trolled the fish on ballyhoos. They also wrestled king mackerel along the edge of the reef 3 miles from shore on trolled spoons or feathered bonito strips on a planer. But live ballyhoos also got attention. Sailfishing was mostly quiet, but north winds that began blowing yesterday seemed to move some in. An 88-pound amberjack was pounded on the boat at a wreck in 310 feet last week. Tarpon were willing to pounce on crab, shrimp or mullet baits at the cuts in the evenings on outgoing tides. Permits also swam the cuts and hovered around certain markers, inhaling small blueclaw crabs that anglers tossed on hooks. The weather was in the 80s and beautiful. Call: 305-361-2217. Visit Web Site.

Schools of mahi mahi swarmed through waters 2 to 6 miles from shore, said Jackie Glinski from the Blue Waters II. Southeast winds pushed them in, and anglers aboard trolled the dolphin on baits and plugs, the big story lately. Sailfish that arrive with northern winds were scarce, but a few were around. The Miami Billfish Tournament takes place this weekend, so that will especially show how many sails can be found. Amberjacks were angled from the wrecks in 200 to 300 feet, and cobia followed manta rays close to shore, feeding on forage the rays kicked up. Charters look for the rays then pitch baits toward them to hook the lemonfish. Tarpon got battled at the cuts at night. Call: 305-373-5016. Visit Web Site.

Clearwater/Tampa/Tarpon Springs

Snook fishing turned excellent toward the end of the week, despite strong winds from a slight cold front, said Capt. Rich Knox from Absolute Flats Fishing in an e-mail. Warming waters and the migration of pilchards continued to get catches hopping. Speckled seatrout kept swarming waters, and redfish were sometimes drilled. King mackerel and big schools of Spanish mackerel were pouring into waters around the reefs close to shore. Cobia were also beginning to appear near the shore. “Everything is really starting to bite,” Rich said. Slam trips for snook, redfish and trout all in one outing are under way. Time is ticking down for giant tarpon charters in May and June in Boca Grande, world famous for its run of the silver kings, but some dates remain. Huge schools of the fish from 100 to 200 pounds flood the passes, beach front, harbor and sounds, putting up tough, acrobatic battles, something every angler should try. Call 727-376-8809 or 800-890-9373. Visit Web Site.

Islamorada

Seas kicked up in howling winds, but fishing was outstanding, said an e-mail from Over Under Adventures. Bottom-fishing at the reefs was most comfortable for anglers, so they bailed big, 2- to 4-pound yellowtail snappers there. Lots of cero mackerels also showed up, and mutton snappers were sometimes hauled in, and so were a few groupers. A handful of 8- to 10-pound king mackerels hammered baits, and cobia could be tackled. Winds calmed by Monday, and the crew expected to sail farther offshore for plenty of mahi mahi and tuna in calmer seas. Quite a few swordfish trips were on the books for the next weeks. Call: 866-OUA-TUNA. Visit Web Site.

Winds cranked all week, but fish were active, and the blow calmed on Monday, with forecasts calling for light winds in the next days, said Capt. Bruce Anderson from Captain Easy Charters. Bottom fishing for snappers at the reefs and mahi mahi angling farther from shore were the main action. Mahi catches usually peak later in spring but were already impressive on some trips. The fish were sometimes found as close to shore as 5 miles, and charters usually trolled to locate them, and then pitched live baits like pilchards and cigar minnows or chunked baits like ballyhoos and bonito to hook up. A couple of anglers from Minnesota were aboard Sunday, lambasting 25 of the dolphin, including two that topped 25 pounds, and a 25-pound wahoo. Tom Giordano and son from Connecticut on Saturday pummeled 20 mahi, including a 35-pounder and a 25-pounder. Call: 305-451-9578 or 305-360-2120. Visit Web Site.

Marathon

Winds finally let up, after honking for days, and yellowtail snappers gobbled up baits, said Capt. Craig Spalten from the Marathon Lady. They were plentiful, made up most of the catch. But a couple of black groupers came up, and a cobia was tackled when a few were seen. Craig got out on his private boat and saw mahi mahi that were arriving. When the dorado come close to shore, patrons on the Marathon Lady sometimes catch them. The vessel fishes at the reefs several miles from the dock. Trips are bottom fishing twice daily from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call: 305-743-5580. Visit Web Site.