School of Fish

The baited breadth of sport fishing in the Ft. Lauderdale area takes visitors from the freshwater wetlands of the Everglades to the plunging depths of Atlantic blue. Learn about three of the region’s favorite catches.

JACK CREVALLE
Catch it in: Water close to shore, inlets and the Intracoastal Waterway
Average weight: 3 to 15 pounds Jacks are strictly catch-and- release — but they’re feisty and fun to fish for. “They’re roaming fish, so you have to hunt a little for them,” says Capt. Ron Mallet of Action Sportfishing in Ft. Lauderdale. In addition to trying out different spots, Mallet recom- mends live bait such as pilchard or mullet and light tackle to nab the big, smart ones. “Pound for pound, they’re really tough,” Mallet says. “Behind tuna, they’re the hardest to fi ght.” www.actionsportfishing.com

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Catch it in: The Everglades
Average weight: 2 to 4 pounds The Everglades — rated the No. 1 fishing spot for bass (by catch per hour) by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Service — draws anglers like fi sh to shiners. Everglades Holiday Park, located west of Ft. Lauderdale, can provide charter guides, bait and all the other makings of a day yanking in largemouth bass from the freshwater “river of grass.” Bass Online Fishing Outfitters specializes in largemouths, which are more of a trophy fi sh than an eating one. “A great day for the Everglades is a 5- to 8-pound large- mouth,” says Bass Online Capt. Brett Isackson, who recommends live bait and light tackle. “The biggest one I’ve caught was 10 pounds, 6 ounces.” www.evergladesholidaypark.com

MAHI-MAHI
Catch it in: Deep sea
Average weight: 10 to 15 pounds Also known as dolphin fi sh, this ranks as one of South Florida’s tastiest catches. Capt. David Ide, a third-generation charter fi sherman, catches it anywhere from 5 miles to 25 miles offshore in depths from 150 feet to 1,900 feet. “Mahi-mahi off er great rod-and-reel action,” he says. “They swim in schools of up to 100 fi sh and are most commonly found swimming around floating debris off shore — pal- lets, boards, wood, branches. Frigate birds are always a good sign when dolphin fi shing.” ladypamela2.com

ANGLING FOR A FISH DISH?

If your preferred gear is a knife and fork, try these signature dishes using local catches.

GROUPER
15th Street Fisheries’ pan- roasted black grouper comes with red quinoa-green pea risotto, braised fennel and vanilla-lobster broth.
At Lauderdale Marina, 1900 SE 15th St; 954-763-2777; www.15streetfisheries.com

YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER
The grilled yellowtail snapper at Johnny V Restaurant is served whole along with grilled vegetables, roasted fingerling potatoes, fresh basil and citrus sauce.
625 E Las Olas Blvd; 954-761-7920; www.johnnyvlasolas.com

MAHI-MAHI
At 3030 Ocean, the chef glazes fresh mahi with corian- der, wild flower and honey, and sides it with a tian of summer vegetables.
At Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Dr; 954-765- 3030; www.3030ocean.com

When it's time to savor the fruits of your fishing adven- ture, clean your catch and take it to Southport Raw Bar in Ft. Lauderdale. They'll cook it for $10 a pound, including two free side dishes per pound. 1536 Cordova Rd; 954-525- 2526; www.southportrawbar.com