Sarasota, Captain Rick Grassett

Tarpon time! Numbers of tarpon increased as we approached a full moon last week and fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with them. Tarpon numbers will continue to increase as we head into late May and June and they form larger schools in preparation for spawning.

Early arriving tarpon are usually more aggressive due to less fishing pressure early in the season. Fly anglers should do well with a variety of baitfish or crab fly patterns fished on floating or intermediate sink tip fly lines. Spin fishing anglers should score with DOA Baitbusters, DOA 4” Shrimp, a variety of live baits and live crabs.

This is always a good time to talk about tarpon fishing etiquette. Everyone can have a chance to catch fish as long as they are respectful of other anglers and the fish.  Give other anglers at least several hundred yards of space in any direction, since fish may be traveling in more than one direction. Be quiet, especially in shallow water. Running an outboard close to tarpon will spook them and make them harder for everyone to catch. Even though a 4-stroke outboard sounds quiet, it is no substitute for an electric trolling motor. Even an electric trolling motor should be used sparingly, especially in shallow water. The more that tarpon are “pressured”, the harder they are for everyone to catch.

Snook season is closed on the west coast of Florida until Sep 1st, so please handle them gently and release them quickly. This is a good time frame to sight fish for snook in the surf when conditions are good. Fishing lighted docks and bridges in the ICW for snook with flies and DOA Lures continues to be a good option. You should also find larger trout in shallow water along with reds when conditions are good.

Tight Lines,