Offshore action is heating up off the Miami-Dade, Broward coast.

We are starting to move into winter patterns with cold fronts approaching our area. When the fronts push down from the northeast, winds switch to the southwest and then clock around to north. The fronts have not quite made it all the way down to our area but have been stalling just to the north of us.

Any day now they will make a push further south and the winds will come out of the north. Then we will be poised for excellent offshore action.

Already there have been excellent reports of sailfish "bites" off Key Biscayne and Triumph Reef. Most of the anglers targeting the sails have been kite fishing with live bait. They also have been reeling in dolphin and kings. Much of the dolphin action has been a little further offshore, however there are still fish being found along the edge.

A good tactic would be to venture offshore in search of boards or debris for dolphin in the morning. Many charter captains have reported debris and weedlines from 400 feet to 900 feet of water. I would try a bit farther offshore if I were fishing to the south off Pacific Light or the Whistle Buoy of Key Largo. In the afternoon I would move in on the edge of the reef and fly kites in hopes of a good afternoon sailfish "bite."

Kingfishing has been good in the morning around the Monument Buoy off Key Biscayne. You can slow troll live bait on the downrigger, anchor and chum, or just drift with a jig and ballyho.

Live bait has not been a problem. There has been plenty of bait around the markers and inside Biscayne Bay. When looking for pilchards inside the bay look for diving pelicans and terns. They can be a sure sign of a school of pilchards.

Blackfin tuna have been schooling on top of the Hump off Islamorada. Anglers reported trolling small dark colored lures across the Hump and catching blackfins up to 20 pounds. If you fill a live well with pilchards, you can drift across the Hump and chum with the bait. It shouldn’t take long to have blackfin tuna schooled behind the boat. A live bait tossed into the commotion will have you hooked up instantly.

I spoke with skin divers diving the patch reefs off Hawks Channel and they reported seeing more fish moving onto the patches. They saw loads of mangrove snapper, bigger muttons, hogfish, and cero mackerel. This is the time of year when water temperatures begin to drop and fish move into shallower waters. When conditions become too rough to fish offshore, it’s possible to save the day by anchoring ahead of the reef and chumming, and catching a few fish for the table.

The Bahia Mar Boat Show will take place Oct. 28, through Nov. 1. It will cover six different locations. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children 6-12. The boat show will have daily stage events at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center.

I will be giving a seminar on Saturday, Oct. 30, on offshore live bait fishing, titled "Beyond the Basics," at 4 p.m. There will be daily park and ride bus service to and from all locations, as well as a water taxi service. For more information call 954-764-7642.

On Thursday nights, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Old Cutler Raw Bar, S. Dixie Highway (US 1) and SW 184th Street, come listen to Fishing South Florida Style. This is an hour long live radio show hosted by Mike Pace, Captain Rob Fordyce, Captain Marty Locke, and Captain Mark Houghtaling.

Offshore and inshore fishing topics are covered during the broadcast, and you can pick up a few tips from the radio hosts after the show. You also can catch the show on Thunder Country 100.3.

For free safe boating and personal watercraft classes, call 305-820-8411.