Capt. Rick Stanczyk's Islamorada Tarpon Fishing

Caught a nice tarpon in the everglades today on 3/10/13.  The water was chilly… mid 60s… not ideal for tarpon.  But we managed to find a hungry one!  The fish ate a live pinfish on light tackle.  My angler battled him for an hour+ and did a great job.  The trick especially on lighter tackle is to pull AGAINST where the fish is trying to swim, not just pulling up on him.  Use the rod to battle the fish, not just the reel on an islamorada tarpon.  If he swims right, arc your rod left so the line goes directly over his back… and now your pulling directly against him and he must work much harder.  You can also (at your own risk) palm the spool of your reel (or use your thump on the line on conventional) to put additional pressure, however be careful as a fish will usually make a hard run when the feel this additional pressure and when he does, let him go (take your palm off the spool).  Always be ready to bow when he jumps to give a little slack.  Fighting a tarpon is an art especially on light tackle or fly.  Islamorada tarpon fishing in March is getting better.. night fishing is a good bet and guides are ready and willing to go – are you???

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@islamoradatarpon.com

March tarpon fishing in Islamorada is really when the tarpon fishing starts getting more consistent.  The weather patters shift more towards what is usual of the spring time – warm air, and usually a little windy.  This year however we are experiencing a late cold front that is going to be reinforced later in the week, so look for the tarpon fishing to hold off a little bit.  Florida Keys tarpon fishing in March will be off to a bit of a slower start.  Not bad news overall though, I often feel the later the cold fronts last and the later the big pushes of fish come… the better the fishing later in the year, so it’s not always a bad thing.  We did hook one march islamorada tarpon yesterday however despite incoming cold front and the cooler 70 degree water temperature.  Night tarpon fishing in March is also a good bet with crabs and live pinfish.  Now in the backcountry this time of year I often fish for lots of other big things… sharks, goliath groupers, and other occasional ‘sea monsters,’ and included in that mix of course is possibilities of big tarpon.  We often do this by catching things such as ladyfish and mackerel for bait which is fun rod bending action, then putting the ‘big guns’ out in the channels back there.  If live mullet are around we may throw the net a few times to get those as well since they are excellent baits.  Tarpon fishing in March can be really good so make sure to ask about that possibility if your fishing in the backcountry of the Florida Keys!  Also shots in the everglades at baby tarpon such as this guy pictured below!

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@islamoradatarpon.com

march islamorada tarpon

Well it’s February in Islamorada and the weather (as of now) is nice and warm.  Islamorada tarpon fishing in February can be really hit or miss… but reports indicate there are some big schools of ‘laid up’ tarpon in some of the backcountry basins and nearby islamorada around the local bridges.  Your best bet for a  February florida keys tarpon fishing charter is to try to book short notice, or at least be willing to also fish for other things.  It often is tough to find a decent guide short notice – we really book up quick this time of year and it is the start of our ‘busy season.’  In the backcountry, we often fish live pinfish, mullet, and crabs for big tarpon.  One thing I like to do is fish dead baits – mostly ladyfish and mullet.  This gives you better chances for other species such as big sharks, and the occasional formidable ‘mud marlin’ a.k.a sawfish.  These bad boys can rock your world so be prepared for a hard fought battle!  Night tarpon fishing in Islamorada can be a good bet in February as well, lots of guides have availability now as we are not in night fishing mode full time yet.  Catching the falling tide is usually ideal, though anytime when the sun is near set or after is usually much more productive than day time fishing.  One nice thing about this time of year is that the tarpon are not yet beat up, not many people fishing for them so they are much easier to get bites out of a lot of the time when you do find them and they are happy.  Of course a cold front can shut them right down, which is not uncommon this time of year.  Give me a ring if your thinking of going on a february islamorada tarpon fishing charter, I’ll give you the no-BS scoop on the odds and what I think the best approach will be.

Capt. Rick Stanczyk
305-747-6903
rick@islamoradatarpon.com

february tarpon islamorada