Tarpon return behind Colin, other species take the hook
Although Tropical Storm Colin sent tarpon on a brief hiatus from our waters, king of sport fishing is definitely back and in greater numbers, too.
The sand bars of Passage Key and Bean Point are host to hundreds of silver kings — if you’re there at the right time. Stealth plays a major role when fishing these clear, shallow waters in hopes of a bite. Keeping your distance from the fish and staying as quiet as possible will increase your odds of hooking up.
If you’re not into fishing the bars, the passes around Anna Maria and Egmont Key also are productive for tarpon. Pre-dawn casting live crabs to these fish is proving to be the best tactic.
Also, finding schooling tarpon running along the beaches in depths of 10-20 feet is an ideal scenario to attract a bite by casting live threadfins or shiners into the school.
For Southernaire Fishing Charters, I’m migrating toward variety — fish other than tarpon. Fishing rock piles, reefs and wrecks is providing sizzling action on mangrove snapper and especially flounder. In the backcountry, fishing for catch-and-release snook remains exceptional. Rallies of schooley fish are common, with many catches of slot and over-slot fish.
Also, spotted sea trout are being found over deep grass areas. Slot and over-slot trout are readily taking live shiners free-lined or under a cork. Mixed in with this bite are Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jack crevalle.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is targeting tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key. By casting live crabs and threadfin herring to “happy fish,” Lowman says he’s getting hookups with silver kings 80-120 pounds. The fast moving waters in the passes to the north and south of Anna Maria Island also are producing tarpon action for Lowman and his clients. In these areas, Lowman is anchoring and chumming with fresh-cut threadfin herring to attract the bite.
Moving inshore, Lowman says he’s finding the catch-and-release snook bite is fairly consistent. Rallies of schooley fish in the 20- to 26-inch range are common during morning incoming tides. Also, while targeting snook, an occasional redfish is mixed in on the bite.
Finally, reef and wreck fishing for Lowman is outstanding. Mangrove snapper, gag grouper, flounder, Spanish mackerel and cobia are being taken on live shiners.
Capt. Warren Girle is on the hunt for tarpon. By patrolling the beaches and passes, Girle is leading his clients to schooling fish. Baits include live crabs and threadfin herring. Average sizes for the silver kings is 80-150 pounds.
Moving offshore, Girle is finding success on other species in depths of 35-50 feet of water. Ledges and hard bottom are producing quality mangrove snapper, as well as gag and red grouper. Hogfish also are present in a couple of Girle’s “secret spots.” To catch the hogs, live shrimp weighted with a split shot dropped to the bottom is attracting a bite.
Also, while fishing offshore, Girle is putting anglers on an occasional cobia. Fish in the 20-pound class are being enticed by live pinfish and shiners as bait.
Capt. Jason Stock is stalking tarpon all the way from Egmont Key south to Longboat Key. Fishing along the beaches is proving to be a successful approach for Stock, as he reports multiple hookups on a daily basis for his anglers. Live crabs, threadfin herring and large shiners are attracting attention from silver kings in the 100-pound class.
Moving offshore, Stock is pursuing permit around reefs and wrecks. Live pass crabs are proving deadly for permit in the 20-pound range. Also present offshore are cobia, mangrove snapper and gag grouper.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is working inshore with good results. Fishing deep grass flats is providing clients a variety of species, including spotted seatrout, silver trout, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle. All species are readily taking free-lined shiners.
Rallies of catch-and-release snook are occurring aboard the Fishy Business. Fishing shallow grass flats during morning incoming tides is bringing the best bite, when catches of 20 or more snook in an hour are not uncommon.
Finally, along the beaches, Gross is finding tarpon to be accommodating. Live crabs and threadfin herring are attracting a bite for his clients. Most hookups are coming to the boat around 75-100 pounds.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing fishers taking advantage of the morning Spanish mackerel bite. Since the arrival of baitfish at the pier, greater numbers of macks are appearing by the day. Small jigs, spoons or Gotcha plugs are attracting the bite, and ladyfish and jack crevalle are mixed in.
Pier fishers electing to use live shrimp for bait are catching mangrove snapper, flounder and an occasional catch-and-release snook.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.