April 2015

4/10/15 April Islamorada Tarpon Fishing Report

Had a half day today.  We didn’t have luck with bait this morning.  Also this afternoon I caught a bull shark in my net which tore a nice hole in it.  Bait is still very tough hopefully once we get away from the full moon it will get easier!  Anyways we ran into the backcountry where I was yesterday since it was so good then.  We had the last of the incoming tide.  Sharks bit us up we caught several black tips and a nurse shark.  No tarpon and we fished for an hour until tide slacked.  I ran over to the other channel nearby and we waited for the tide to turn, quick turnaround.  Anyways we sat for about 30 minutes and things were looking grim plus we didn’t have too much longer to fish since it was only a half day.  Eventually we got our bite though a nice 85 lb tarpon!  Very funny bite too he did not run very hard he shook his head and almost thought it was another nurse shark.  Anyways we landed him and then we had a few minutes left so I said we could give it a little longer.  It paid off we had another bite pretty soon after and landed another 75 lb tarpon.  It’s funny how it can go from balls to the wall one day fishing to hoping you’ll just get one bite the next – but that’s fishing!  We were very happy to get two tarpon, and like I told the customers I’ll take catching 2 just about any day!  Anyways two morning and evening half days the next two days so i’ll be back with some more reports soon.  2 for 2

Capt. Rick Stanczyk

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4/9/15 Everglades April Tarpon Fishing Report

Good fishing for us today.  I had Steve and Ray.  Steve and his girlfriend fished with me a couple days ago (yesterday I had a day off finally).  We ran way in the backcountry trying to get into a hot tarpon bite.  We found quite a few fish but it was very rough and could not really get them to bite.  We hopped around and caught a bunch of sharks and a nice 40 lb goliath grouper.  Today we made up for the tarpon.  The boys landed 5 out of 8 fish all on fresh mullet we caught yesterday and this morning.  The bait has been a little tough lately many of the live bait guys are struggling to get a few together to sell.  There have been a few big balls of bait around but you have to be there at the right place, right time, before they get hammered by the commercial mullet guys.  We ran into some on the way home today and took a little time to catch 3 dozen which was great.  We also caught a 30 lb cobia after we finished with the tarpon this morning plus a few ladyfish and trout.  Great day!  0 for 0 and then 5 for 8.

Capt. Rick Stanczyk

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4/6/15 April Florida Keys tarpon fishing report

Caught a few baits early this morning. Bait has been very tough the last few days. Commercial boats crushing the big schools of mullet. Should get better but have to work at it. Anyways we went in the Everglades and caught 1 out of 2 tarpon. Big fish 170 lb. Some sharks too. Then went to the bridges and had a few cheap shots but no solid bites. Finished up with dead bait off a bank and had a few more sharks. A boat nearby did have a couple tarpon bites. Anyways will be at it again tomorrow. 1 for 2

Capt. Rick Stanczyk

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