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Got out with Pam and Lars today for a full day of backcountry fishing in Islamorada.  We weren’t really planning on tarpon as it was COLD… water temperatures were in the low 60s and a major front had come in a few days ago.  I did not expect tarpon action at all.  But we were planning on crushing the snooks, reds, and drums (which we did!).  However some tarpon did start rolling in the area and I had the anglers cast in that direction and slowly work their shrimp and let it drop in front of them.  They each ended up catching one – wow what a surprise!  Was great too because that completed a backcountry SLAM of snook, redfish, and tarpon for both anglers.  You never know what will happen on an islamorada fishing charter in December or any month of the year for that matter!  Things will slowly warm up the next few days and don’t know when the next cold front will be, but I expect we will get some more in the next month or two.  Tarpon fishing is usually spotty through January but if conditions get right, it can definitely be possible.  Or even if they aren’t right you may get lucky like we did today!  2 for 2

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

Got out with Pat today down from Ohio and we had a good cold front come in last night.  The water temperatures however didn’t drop too much, though I think tonight they will.  They were still in the high 60s.  I didn’t expect much tarpon but we saw a few rolling around in a spot where we were catching some snook and drum.  We kept pitching towards rollers, hoping for a bite.  Eventually Pat fooled one and we got a nice little 20 lb fish on our light gear!  We were pitching large shrimp on 1/4 oz jigheads.  He put up a great fight and was cooperative for netting and pictures.  We normally do not bring tarpon in the boat but if they are under 40 inches like this one, it is allowed quickly for a picture.  We gave him a healthy release and said goodbye.  I haven’t been doing much tarpon fishing the last month, even though honestly we have had the weather for it.  This is the first cold snap we’ve had since the only other one we had in late October.  Otherwise it’s been warm with water temperatures in the high 70s.  Just haven’t had many people wanting to go for tarpon, and haven’t been fishing too much as November was slower than normal due to the hurricane.  Luckily December though has picked up a little more than expected, I have a busy week this week and xmas week is always very busy so hopefully I’ll make up for it.  Don’t expect to be fishing for tarpon much this week as the water temperatuers will be dipping down in the low 60s the next several days and probably stay in the high 60s through until the weekend.  Once it drops down like that they usually shut down or get pushed out, we just got lucky last night it didn’t get too cold for us today.  Anyways if you are wanting to do other fishing I’m readily available, and the snook fishing has been very good in both the warmer and cooler weather this winter.  But if we get another warm streak, the tarpon could show up big time, don’t be afraid to ask!  1 for 1

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

Got out with Andy and his stepson Trey today.  Snook were the target but with as warm as its been I said we might get a shot at some tarpon too.  We found plenty of snook in our first stop and had some fun with them.  Later on we found a few hungry tarpon and Andy landed a nice 25 lber on light spinning tackle on a shrimp!  He didn’t cooperate for pictures we had him to the leader several times but I just couldn’t get a good shot on the net with him and eventually he pulled the hook free.  We didn’t get any more bites from them after that, but we saw some in just about every place we stopped looking for snook.  The weather has been unseasonably warm since we had an early front in October, and looks to stay that way for a little while at least.  We have a weak front hitting us tomorrow, but the temperature will only be dropping a few degrees.  Anyways if you want to have a shot at tarpon there is still time, plus other things to do too!  1 for 1

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