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Tarpon have arrived in big numbers

4 min read

The tarpon have arrived, and in big numbers. It’s not that the fish weren’t already around, just not in the numbers we expect for the kick off of tarpon season. They’re here now, as the calming seas allowed anglers to search their favorite fishing areas and reports of schooling tarpon came from all areas.

A few of the hot spots included Charlotte Harbor north of Bokeelia, west of Hemp Island in the sound, off the beach from Blind Pass down to the lighthouse off Sanibel and in Boca Grande Pass. Pods of fish from a dozen or so to several hundred were reported rolling in all these areas. The morning bite was the best with live thread herring, crabs and cut ladyfish for bait. Also, anglers throwing flies got into the action during the calm seas shortly after first light.

In addition with the previously mentioned areas, tarpon were also hooked or sighted in Pine Island Sound north of Patricio Island, in the lower sound south of the power lines, at Redfish and Captiva passes and in northern Matlacha Pass near marker 76. Also a few were hooked from the Matlacha drawbridge at night and under the Sanibel Causeway.

More sharks and larger ones also arrived. Female bulls, lemons and blacktips have moved into the warmer waters of Charlotte Harbor to give birth to their pups. Anglers sight fishing tarpon on the sand bars on both the east and west walls of the harbor report numbers of sharks from 5 to 7 feet in length cruising along the bars in four to six feet of water. One cobia estimated at 40 pounds was also sighted following a manatee but refused a live pinfish from our boat on the eastern wall.

The larger sharks are following the schooling tarpon as several large bulls and a huge hammerhead were also reported from Boca Grande Pass.

Our waters are absolutely loaded with baitfish. If you are live baiting tarpon, this is a good thing because you may need a bunch. The Spanish mackerel and bluefish are relentless. If you get a couple minutes before your big herring gets sliced in pieces, your doing good. Of course with that said, the mackerel fishing couldn’t be any better. If you find birds working the water in the open harbor, sound or gulf, chances are darn good the mackerel are there. They are running up to 28 inches, and if you are live baiting, bring plenty of extra hooks. You could put on a trace of single strand wire but this will greatly reduce your hook ups.

Sea trout were caught throughout the sound and near Bokeelia over grass flats averaging four to eight feet in depth. Soft plastics in white, pearl white and chartreuse on a quarter ounce jig head produced the most bites. The fish are averaging smaller than in previous weeks with most running in the lower slot up to 18 inches. Real good trout fishing was also reported on the grass flats on the gulf side of the Sanibel Causeway.

Big high tides this week helped anglers hook up with redfish under the mangroves. Cut bait and live pinfish or shrimp took redfish up to 26 inches in Pine Island Sound south of Demere Key and near Wulfert Keys and also the Smokehouse Bay area of northern Matlacha Pass. The early morning rising tides also turned up a few big reds for anglers throwing top water lures over the flats near Cat Key south of Pineland and Buck Key near Captiva.

If you been thinking about tangling with a tarpon, it’s time to get busy. Whatever your game is – artificial, flies, cut or live bait – your best opportunity is here. If you have never hooked one, it’s an adrenaline rush that every angler should experience at least once. If you already have done battle before, chances are you still get excited every time there’s a chance of a big poon exploding on your bait. I know I do!

If you have a fishing story or photo that you would like to share or for charter information, please contact us at (239)283-7960 or visit us at www.fishpineisland.com. Have a safe week and good fishin’.