Hooked: Once a tarpon fisher, always a tarpon fisher
You can catch a fever after one hookup.
A gleaming mass of chrome fury erupts skyward against an orange sunrise on the horizon. A sequence of aerial acrobatics followed by a series of drag-screaming runs that put the strongest angler to the test. Multiple jumps, skyrocketing, thrashing, twisting in the air as the sound of the gills rattling like castanets can be heard echoing off the Gulf waters as the fish tries one desperate attempt after another at freedom.
If you haven’t gotten your hands on a tarpon rod yet, what’s the holdup? It’s time for serious anglers to put their stamina to the test against Florida’s most popular game fish — the silver king.
Remember to keep your rod tips high, line tight and drag set accordingly when matching wits with these magnificent fish. You’ll draw every bit of knowledge from your angling past once you hook up with one of these tackle-busters. And here is where the obsession is born. Once a tarpon fisher, always a tarpon fisher.
Anglers visiting from all around the world, as well as native anglers, are suffering from tarpon fever as the abundance of fish is growing. Whether a novice angler or seasoned fisher, the instinct to compete with one of the strongest fish that swims compels us all to be on the water as much as possible. Fatigue, lack of sleep, sunburn, dehydration and a constant feeling of anxiety are all side effects. Don’t be alarmed — this is a time of celebration. Tarpon are the main attraction in May and June throughout our region and — hopefully — always will be.
Although tarpon fishing is more popular, we can celebrate the fact that the numbers of this fish are increasing. Tarpon have no food value and, therefore, the fishing is all catch-and-release. There may be the occasional casualty due to a gut hook or a hammerhead shark, but these occurrences are rare.
After reeling the tarpon to the boat, you need ample time to revive the fish and ensure a successful release so we have a tarpon fishery for years to come.
Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle in Holmes Beach is finding rolling tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. The passes of Bean Point, Egmont and Longboat Key are main focal points during morning and evening high tides, when the fish are congregating in deep water. During daylight hours, Lowman is cruising the beaches to find schooling fish on the feed. Average sizes for tarpon this past week were 60-150 pounds. Live crabs, shiners and threadfin herring are Lowman’s preferred baits.
On days when Lowman is not hunting tarpon, he is targeting mangrove snapper. These tasty fierce-fighting fish are readily available around artificial reefs, rock piles and docks in both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. To attract the attention of the snapper, Lowman likes to put a frozen chum block to work. This adds scent and small pieces of ground-up fish that entice the snapper to feed. As this occurs, Lowman is putting fresh-cut pieces of shiners on the hook to achieve a bite. Snapper 15 inches are the norm.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is seeing increasing numbers of mangrove snapper taking up residence around the barnacle-covered pilings of the pier. Pier fishers focused on snapper are rigging with stealth in mind. Some 15-pound fluorocarbon leader and a No. 2 hook combined with a small split shot complete the rig. Add a small live shrimp or a shiner and it’s game on. Most snapper being caught are 10-12 inches, although larger sizes are present.
Catch-and-release snook is another focal point for pier fishers. As summertime approaches, greater numbers of linesiders will be taking up residence around the pier in preparation of their move onto the beach to spawn. Live shrimp will get you connected with the snook 18-24 inches. Pinfish, ladyfish or mullet will attract slightly larger specimens with some fish exceeding 40 inches.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters also is taking advantage of the abundance of tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key. Schooling fish are being found throughout the day and are being taken on live crabs and threadfin herring. Upon approaching fish, Gross likes to use his trolling motor, which enables him to position the boat properly without making too much noise. Once in front of the oncoming fish, Gross has his clients cast baits strategically ahead of the fish so they will intersect at the right time and at the right depth. Fish in the 100-pound class are the norm with bigger fish in the mix.
Along the flats of Sarasota Bay, Gross is finding good action on snook. In depths of 2-3 feet of water, his clients are casting live free-lined shiners into sandy potholes for a bite. Linesiders 24-30 inches are being caught and released with some consistency.
Spotted seatrout are being targeted in Sarasota Bay. This bite is occurring during morning incoming tides. To find these fish, Gross is drifting over deeper flats with 6-8 feet of water. By casting a live free-lined shiner or a shiner under a popping cork, Gross is managing to produce limits of specked fish for his clients’ dinner table.
Finally, mangrove snapper are becoming abundant around the artificial reefs and rock formations throughout our region and Gross is cashing in on the action. By using a light fluorocarbon leader of 15- or 20-pound test and a small circle hook combined with a fresh-cut piece of live shiner, Gross is reeling up snapper 15 inches. Limits of these fish are attainable, although some days are better than others.
Capt. Warren Girle is in hot pursuit of tarpon. Morning, afternoon and night — tarpon, tarpon, tarpon. Many tarpon have seen the face of Girle as he bends over the gunwale and grabs their jaw to remove a circle hook. Peek times for Girle are right at sunrise and again on the afternoon or evening outgoing tide. Fish are averaging 80-150 pounds, with most catches somewhere in the middle. Preferred baits for Girle are live crabs or threadfin herring. During mid-day tarpon excursions ,when the fish settle on the bottom, Girle is anchoring and chumming with dead baits to attract a bite.
When not targeting tarpon, Girle is finding redfish, snook and trout in Sarasota Bay. All three species are being caught on free-lined live shiners. For the snook and reds, mangrove islands and oyster bars are prime hunting grounds. As for the trout, deeper flats in the middle of the bay are producing limits.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.