Spoiled South Floridians rarely find the silver lining in temperatures in the 30s, but fringe benefits in the form of overdue bait schools and sailfish finally arrived with the chilly temperatures.

Capt. Jim Sullivan on the Fighting Lady reported shots at 13 sailfish during a charter around bait pods in 50 to 80 feet off Stuart earlier in the week. Although the sails arrived too late this year to equal last year’s tournament season numbers, the surprising presence of premature cobia around the same bait schools this early is a welcome bonus. With another cold front looming this weekend, charter captains predict fishing will continue to heat up.

FS