This morning on the beaches of Gasparilla and Boca Grande with Bill Stevens and his bride Jan. Estimated 70-80 pound tarpon on a spin fishing rod. Two jumps and off. Truth be told - the hook up, first run and jumps are what it's all about for me... Though a boat side picture would have been nice. Slow day with only 3 jumped and one landed amongst the boats in our area.
The tarpon are settling down from the unrelenting pressure from Memorial Day weekend Boca Grande anglers. The fish in shallow water of Gasparilla Pass were still edgy on Tuesday but the pods that were in 15+ feet were much more at ease. Some of the tarpon have moved offshore to spawn as they typically do following the full moon this time of year. On their return, the fishing should be even better than it is currently; I love this time of year here in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. There are schools of Spanish and False Albacore (Little Tunny) a half a mile or so off the beaches. There are some snook in the toughs making for fun sight casting. As for the back country; with water temps in the mid 80’s, redfish and snook are back in the shade or in deep holes as the day heats up so go early and be patient. Spotted Seatrout are holding on the deeper grass flats. There are still some Spanish and Ladyfish around too. I’m rounding third and heading for home in my 2013 Florida guiding season. I do have a few open days before heading to Maine on June 14th so give me a call and we’ll go catch’em!
With less than three weeks left here in Charlotte Harbor I have been landlocked all this week doing the last big project of our home renovation. It's killing me to do drywall work while the tarpon and snook play along the beaches of Boca Grande and Cayo Costa... It's a good thing that Barb has returned to Maine during this part of the project which is a complete redo of the garage. Picture the entire contents of a garage including a washer and dryer, water heater, tools and even two bicycles piled up in our living room. To say nothing about the DUST! OMG... By Memorial Day's end the project will be done and I'll be fishing Pine Island Sound. Yesssss!
05-18-13 Tarpon On and Gone Just That Quick... Brad Osborn Jumped an 80 pounder this morning off the beach at Boca Grande on spin fishing gear and a live crab. Unfortunately she cut the leader with her gill plate.
High pressure and westerly winds last week made inshore fishing a bit challenging. The beach had swells and white caps making chasing tarpon impossible. Mid-day high tides put the redfish way up into the mangroves. Monday and Tuesday the back country was shell shocked from the Flatsmasters redfish tournament. With all that, we still had some great days on the water. Thanks to some small snook, flounder, Spanish mackerel and the ever happy sea trout… The coming week should provide lighter winds, warming water and great tides. Tarpon fishing should be very good both along the Gasparilla beaches and in Pine Island Sound. The huge snook that are laid up on light bottom of Bull and Turtle Bays should be more aggressive as the high pressure moves off. The redfish will settle down and move back on the oyster beds and out of the mangrove roots. This is the beginning of late spring Prime Time in Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande! I have openings in my schedule so give me a call and we’ll go get em! Nothing recharges the batteries like a relaxing fun day on Beautiful Charlotte Harbor. All skill levels welcome.
