April 2019

Worked hard for 1 today. Had return customer Carl and his buddy Larry. We found some fish early on to start. Looked really good too with a fair number showing. We set up and after 30 minutes or so had a player. Nice fish around 100 lbs for Larry, his first tarpon. Good battle almost 45 minutes. Afterwards though, someone flipped the switch and the tarpon for the most part seemed to have vanished. We worked around and saw a handful more but no bites. Caught a few sharks afterwards though. We checked a few more areas and did not see a whole lot. For the time being seems like the bridges may be a better bet for those after strictly tarpon. If the winds lay down though the backcountry should get better. Unfortunately doesn’t look like that is happening until possibly the end of the week for a couple days. Also looks like another weak front mid week and possibly some rain and hard west wind. Not what we like in April! 1 for 1

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
Instagram: @richardstanczyk
Facebook: Islamorada Tarpon Fishing

Tougher fishing today winds cranked 20 to 25 mph, though was forecast to be 10 to 15 mph. I had Joe who fished with me back in February and his dad Joe. We were after a tarpon for Joe Sr. Ran out back and tried a few areas where they had been. But very muddy though we did see a handful of fish. First stop no bites however, after an hour or so we hooked a big blacktip. After that we moved on and tried elsewhere. Didn’t see much not the big packs of fish that were around a few days ago when it was nice. We did see a handful though and moved around, gave it a hard effort but alas no cooperation. Did catch a couple more sharks and them the tide quit. We gave it a bit longer and then decided to bail and try other things. That’s what I love about the backcountry there are often other good options nearby. We had some shrimp and a few bigger live baits left over from the last few days. Worked a few areas and ended up catching 5 very nice snook in the 6 to 9 lb range and lost one other monster. After that we tried my redfish hole as the tide was getting right. First cast another very nice snook! Then we waited it out and gave it a little extra time as we had left early in the AM. But ended up catching a dozen or so redfish and a few other odds and ends. Not bad for tough conditions and having to go to plan B half way through the day. Tomorrow the wind forecast is roughly the same but anyone’s guess how accurate that will be.  Just decided to cancel our trip for tomorrow so I’ll be taking my dad instead fun fishing, not sure what we’ll get in to!  0 for 0

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
Instagram: @richardstanczyk
Facebook: Islamorada Tarpon Fishing

Great day with Reagen and Dirc, return customers of mine. We tarpon fished early on and had good luck. Reagen caught two large fish about 130 lbs and 110 lbs. The second one almost got eaten by a big hammerhead, he got away but was missing a few scales. After that we also got a monster blacktip shark. We moved areas and then Dirc got his tarpon, not quite as big but a good 50 lber. We caught a few more sharks and big sting rays after that. Finished the day with a solid redfish bite again, catching probably 2 dozen. We also got a couple tripletails while running around too. Back at it tomorrow and think I will be doing other stuff not tarpon, so we will see what happens. Winds are suppose to blow but at least going back northeast instead of Southwest which we had today.  3 for 3

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
Instagram: @richardstanczyk
Facebook: Islamorada Tarpon Fishing