Today I had some brits over for some tarpon and shark fishing. They were keen to catch both. So we went into the backcountry where the sharks are generally more plentiful and tarpon fishing can be very good. The numbers of tarpon seemed to be slim, it layed out nice and calm nearing mid day, but I only saw a handful roll the whole time. We had a couple tarpon bites and caught 1. But we did catch over a dozen sharks and a nice red grouper. So we had action consistently throughout the day. Lots of fun!
Capt. Rick Stanczyk
5/5/14 Early May Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing
Tarpon fished again for a full day today. Luck was not on our side. We had decent action throughout the day but were not able to land a fish. We started around town in Islamorada. Had a bite right off the bat and I hooked the fish, handed it to my angler, and the fish turned and line went slack and he was gone. A heartbreaker though tough deal with one angler. He jumped another fish off an hour or so later and we had another fish grab and spit a mullet. Quite a few ‘cheap shots’ too, the tarpon were having fun with the mullets. After about 10:30 we ran into the backcountry to give it a try back there. We jumped one fish and caught several sharks and a cobia. We then hooked up on a fish that we fought for a couple minutes. Chased him down though we jumped him off about 30 feet from the boat. What a shame but that’s why they call it fishing not catching. Anyways we had good action as I said throughout the day getting 5 solid tarpon bites and several other attempts.
5/4/14 May Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing Report
Still plugging away, not loads of fish the last few trips but getting 1 each time – we’ll take it! Went into the backcountry today. Same guys I had yesterday. We had a northerly wind but didn’t stop us from having a great day. We caught mullet back there around the islands. Black mullets mostly instead of the usual silvers. They are fine for dead bait, not great for live though. Anyways we caught plenty of blacktip sharks back there, a big lemon shark, and then 1 nice 70 lb tarpon. Caught some stuff for dinner after that, then tried this afternoon around town. Not much happening though then, weak incoming tides in Islamorada. Plus tons of boat traffic and morons on jet skis… have to love the weekends! Most the action has been on the falling tides as of late which are in the mornings, and in the late afternoon/evenings.
