8/9/14 Mid August Islamorada Tarpon Fishing Report

Well I have had a couple days off and non-tarpon fishing trips.  Though a last couple days I did fish for them it’s been tougher.  Two days ago we did try some tarpon fishing and did not have any bites all day, had fresh mullet we tried some backcountry channels where we did not see any fish.  Then off the beaches a boat was sitting where I like to fish but someone I knew.  I gave him some bait and then he jumped 3 tarpon right next to us and we unfortunately couldn’t get a bite.  No matter we still had a great day with big snook, goliath grouper, trout, snapper, sharks, and more.  Today my angler really wanted tarpon so we focused on that all day.  It was not easy fishing we again had good action but only a couple tarpon bites all day, back to back.  Right when the tide started in we caught 1 30 lb fish, and then jumped another off immediatly after, and that was about it for the tarpon action.  I saw fish first thing in the morning rolling on the falling tide, but would not feed.  Though again we had good action with sharks including a hammerhead, big snook, several goliath grouper, and a cobia.  I did try a couple other channels one in the backcountry and one close to home, but did not see any tarpon there.  It’s getting tougher though it is almost mid-august.  I’ll say it’s been a banner tarpon year all around!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk