Yellowtail this time of year in South FL?

[BigSinker]

Hi all,
Was wondering if Yellowtail can be caught this time of year anywhere off of Eliot Key or Fowey Rocks. I'll be in the Biscayne Bay for the next few weekends and would love to catch some. Also, any special tips besides tons of chum and let the hooks follow the drift.
Appreciate any responses.

[BigSinker]

Any Ideas?
Please - heading out tomorrow hopefully, with the little ones

[gofastsandman]

They`re on the inside reefs now. Google sandballing for Snapper. Deadly. Use dead shrimp and bury the 2/O hooks.

[LeoCraft]

I let the line flow out, then hold for a sec or two... repeating. tell the kids to keep thier little digits out of the line cause it'll whip you soo hard when you're fish-on! Enjoy. Might see you out there.

[RocknReeln]

HEad further south to Turtle reef and whistle buoy area. Saw tons of YT in 40-100 ft of water. Its worth the ride further south, as the number of YT increases.

[JDBer94]

Talk to Capt. Mesa, he will help you out.

http://www.simplyhookedcharters.com/

[BigSinker]

Went to turtle reef today - was there only about an hour cause it was rough for the kids. We tied up on a mooring about mile east of turtle in 50 feet of water. Got the slick going and hit a ton of snapper with silverside minnows. All were under a foot though. I hooked into 2 though that broke the new 8 lb test on the kids rods. Then the kids had enough due to the rocking. Mine are young.

Thanks for all the advice though.

Now I need better rods.
Whats a good reef rod combo - for adults. What should I be looking at for snapper fishing and such.
Thanks, J

[Steve_250]

Any kind of light-medium setup with a 7-8' pole for casting.

[Pro251wa]

Originally Posted by BigSinker

Then the kids had enough due to the rocking. Mine are young....

Mine aren't and neither am I. I use the wristbands and meclazine. Actually it's one of the reasons I like trolling...no rocky no sicky.

Just a quick question about the sandballs. I've read about those, including some recipes with oatmeal, etc. But what I'm wondering is what's supposed to happen with the balls? Is it the balls sink and disintegrate at the same time, leaving a little chum trail with the surprise stinger 2/0 hook buried in a piece of shrimp?

[Birdmayne]

Use a good 6-15' of flouro leader and some fresh-dead bait. Squid / cuda / bonito are great and YT's will almost always take one of them. Use sand balls for mutton who will hang out below. Hiding the hook in the bait and presentation are key so if you can, put the hook through the top of the bait, pull it to the eye, then place the hook into the middle of the bait. (Red / not shiny hooks are best.)

The three keys are 1. Flouro leader 2. Ability to offer at least 2-3 different types of bait 3. Presentation, which means letting line out and not touching it and hiding the hook.