Results are in from Competition Tackle’s Dolphin Dash Warm-up, held two consecutive Sundays, May 17 and May 24, out of Fort Lauderdale.

The dolphin fishing has been solid so far this season off Southeast Florida. As for the atmospheric conditions, there have been far more rough days, and lately, rainy days, than bluebird calm days, but dolphin bite just as well, if not even better, on those rougher days, if you have a boat that can safely handle the seas.

The second day of the Dolphin Dash Warm-up, May 24, hit good numbers of fish coming up from the south. It was a case of fortunate timing for competitors, because there have also been days in April and May, between bodies of fish, when anglers from Fort Pierce to Fort Lauderdale searched all day for signs of dolphin and found nothing, so if you’re one of them, take heart. You’re not alone.

On May 24, forty-five angler teams looked into the face of torrential rains and took on the challenge and it paid off. Anglers found hungry fish ready to fight for their dinner!

Captain Joe Freeman maneuvered FIN CITY with his wife Beverly, shown above, to score a long and lean 32.6-pound bull dolphin for first place. That fish will net FIN CITY $937.50. Joe and Beverly were third place winners in the 2008 Dash.

TEAM FOUNTAIN took second place by boating a 30-pound bull worth $562.50 (Captain Rick Walser, Larry Peterson and Angler Keith Butler)

Last week’s leaders, RIGGIN’ & JIGGIN’, with Captain Robert Moreschi and friend Josh, took third place and $275 with their 29 pound dolphin caught on the first day of the Dash.

The Dash is a free preliminary warm up for Competition Tackle’s June 2009 Dolphin Round Up for Hospice Care Southeast Florida. The Round Up runs from June 1 through June 27. Enter before June 1st. Any questions please call 954-581-4476 and ask for Barbara.

Most anglers are still looking for more days with good conditions to make their runs to get dolphin. After the early spring winds and lately, the late spring thunderstorms, plenty of anglers have had their trips cut down before they’ve left the docks. Let’s hope the dolphin keep coming for the Dolphin Round Up and for all the rest of us, too.