1/2/15 January tarpon fishing in Islamorada

Tarpon in January in Islamorada?  You betcha!  It’s still been unseasonably warm and the water temperatures are in the high 70s so there have been a few tarpon around.  We’ve been seeing them in just about every area we normally fish in the spring, not always tons but you have a good shot at getting a bite.  Mostly in the backcountry areas, and along with them are plenty of sharks to keep you busy.  We tried yesterday though we did not get any tarpon bites, but did catch cobia, hammer head shark, and plenty of blacktips.  Today we had 2 tarpon bites, and landed one fish a lunker of 150 lbs.  Young Nick put the wood to him and caught him in 15 minutes!  He put on a great show.  I talked to another fellow guide he had some tarpon action as well.  I will likely keep trying a little bit as long as it stays warm, there has been some big giant black mullets around that have been fairly easy to catch which work well for bait.  If your down here and thinking of a january florida keys fishing charter, give me a call!  I’ve got some dates open as we don’t get really cranking with business until february again.  1 for 2.

Capt. Rick Stanczyk