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Got out with Carl and Buck again for their final day.  We decided to mix things up as the boys wanted to try some everglades snook fishing too.  There had been some bait around for that so we caught some early on and then headed out back.  Tarpon fished early on and found a good load of fish but the sharks were horrendous tough to keep a bait out.  We found an area where the sharks weren’t as bad and Buck had a couple tarpon bites but both of them didn’t stay on the hook for us.  A few more sharks and then Carl got a nice 75 lb tarpon!  We got him to the leader several times but he broke off before we could get a boat side pic but a legal catch anyhow.  After that we gave the snooks a try.  Had a couple good bites in one spot but didn’t connect and then the next few spots were empty.  The south breeze we had is not my favorite for snook fishing most of the areas I like, it’s just tough with that on shore wind.  We were gonna give it up but we decided to try one last spot and that had some nice fish!  We caught several big mangrove snappers, and one big 10 lb snook!  We missed another 4 or 5 snook too, they were all big and just hard to keep out of the trees especially with the current ripping like it was.  But good fun anyhow and we got one to the boat for pictures at least.  Back at it tomorrow.  1 for 3

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

Got out with Buck and Carl again who fished with me the day before last.  We had a half day today fishing the local channels and bridges.  Winds let up a little bit light out of the southwest.  Not very strong tide.  Didn’t find a whole lot of fish the first few places we looked.  We found a few in one area where we tried but no bites.  Eventually got the call somebody was getting them at one of the other bridges.  We didn’t see much for activity on top but could see a few near the bridge.  We lined up and had to move around but eventually got a bite.  Carl had a nice one on but unfortunately he threw the hook.  We had the rod a little too much at a 90 degree angle and a little too much pressure on him.  We moved around again and this time Buck got one.  A nice 60 lber we had to chase around the bridge pilings for an exciting battle.  We got him to the boat several times but didn’t cooperate for a boat side picture, but an official catch none the less.  After that we didn’t get any more shots.  A handful of other fish were caught though one guy was lined up on them he caught a bunch.  But that’s how bridge fishing goes sometimes if you are the right boat in the right spot you can whack ’em, and everybody else has to watch!  Also can be annoying especially on the weekends with people fishing from the bridges too.  Anyways I’ll be back to my full day routine for the foreseeable future and fishing my usual areas.  The crowds seem to be dissipating back there thankfully!  1 for 2

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

Got out with Andrew and his son Elliot for a full day tarpon fishing charter.  We headed out back where we’ve been going lately.  Lots of fish early in the channels, but many sharks as well!  We got a nice 85 lber for Elliot to start the day though.  Then some sharks.  Jumped another fish very quickly and had to move due to sharks.  Got another tarpon bite we missed again, both those bites they sucked the bait in and blew it out very quickly didn’t even feel the line get tight before they jumped and threw the bait/hook.  After that the sharks just got too bad.  We moved around and things were slow for a little while.  Long slack tide and just not nearly as many fish around as there was a few days ago.  But the wind was kicking south which I never like, definitely looked a little muddier and just not as good as it was.  We eventually got on another pack of fish and had a couple more bites.  Elliot caught one more 35 lb tarpon and jumped another.  A few more sharks and that was all she wrote.  Back at it tomorrow with my guys from yesterday.  Doing a half day so will stick around the local bridges and channels.  I heard the bite was decent there today so I don’t think it’s worth running out back for a couple hours of fishing.  2 for 5

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