Got out today and we ran into the backcountry for some tarpon fishing. Caught some good bait early in the morning so we had some freshies. We set up in the channels and caught the last of the incoming tide. Not much early a couple shark bites as we waited on the tide to switch which took a while as it was a weak current. Finally around 9:15 it was moving decent and going out and we soon hooked a nice tarpon. Landed him a big 130 lb fish! After that we waited a bit more and then boom boom, we jumped two smaller fish in the 30-50 lb range right in a row. Could of been a double header! After that we waited a little more and then hooked and landed a nice 50 lber. That was it on the tarpon we caught a few more sharks after that and some nice trout to finish the day. Nice to see them biting a little bit. Conditions look very nice and I think the fish should be getting happier and maybe will be in summer time mode here before we know it! 2 for 4
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4/27/16 Morning and Evening April Tarpon Fishing in the Florida Keys
Had Ken out this morning again we fished early 4 to 8 AM. The tide didn’t quite get started when I thought so we drifted a different area while waiting on the tide switch. No bites there we then ran where I’d been getting them in the mornings lately but made several drifts there with no luck. Now 6 AM and I went out to another channel where I had caught some several mornings ago. We did get a couple bites on 2 consecutive drifts, though didn’t hook the fish unfortunately they slurped the crabs right off after pulling a little drag. After that we tried different tactics for the last hour, saw a few fish rolling in this area but didn’t get a response and called it a day. 0 for 2
This evening I had Rick and Jane they had fished the last few days and had hooked a few tarpon but not officially landed one yet. We got out and I was looking for fish laying on the bottom as the tide was just starting to fall and it was clear enough to see them. I saw one and we set up near by. About 10 minutes after putting the baits out he slammed our live mullet and we were on! We chased him through the bridge and what a tough fish he was. 4 different times he tried to go through the 4 legged power line concrete structures and I had to float the rod through each time. One time the rod almost came free but luckily it held on by 1 strap! He put on quite a show jumping and then several twists and turns around the bridge. After 45 minutes we landed him finally, it was a total team effort as Jane hooked him, Rick fought him, and I had to maneuver the boat. Anyways even though my reel got soaked I didn’t mind it was worth it to land such a memorable fish, luckily it was an old reel anyways! 1 for 1
4/26/16 April Full Day Everglades Tarpon Fishing
Got out with Ken today for an all day trip back into the everglades. We found plenty of tarpon this morning fresh in from the gulf. Getting them to eat wasn’t easy however. They were free jumping and busting all over as far as I could see. We eventually got one to bite and Ken landed a nice 75 lb tarpon. We caught plenty of sharks too including black tips and hammerheads. We caught a little more bait later and tried further back off the mainland. No sign of tarpon there but we caught a few cobias, and a big bull shark to end the day. Great day and glad we got one. I’m taking Ken early tomorrow to do the pre-sunrise thing for tarpon. 1 for 1
