Tarpon Reports
     

Robert &  Capt. Josh  12/30/2023 — Not much point in targeting them, although you can always look in Boca Grande Pass.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  12/16/2023 — No reports.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  12/09/2023 — There are bunches in Boca Grande Pass. Shrimp would be Robert's top choice, followed by farm-raised pinfish (because they swim funny). You could also try a squirrelfish or even a lizardfish.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  12/02/2023 — A few seen in Boca Grande Pass, and you could try dropping a vertical jig, pinfish or shrimp. But — and I can't emphasize this enough — don't expect much.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  11/25/2023 — Too many inconsistencies, and this year's tarpon season is pretty much toast.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  11/18/2023 — There might be a few in the 20-foot holes, but there's probably a better bite in Boca Grande Pass.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  11/11/2023 — It's possible you might find one in the 20-foot holes or Boca Grande Pass. It's also possible you might fish all day for big fat nothing.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  11/05/2023 — The 20-foot holes have had a few. Try a DOA Bait Buster, big swimbait or live ladyfish.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  10/28/2023 — Nothing to mention. I've literally only heard of one fish hooked this week. It's a bummer.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  10/14/2023 — A few have been seen and hooked in the middle of the Harbor, but it's pathetically low for this time of year.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  10/07/2023 — Nothing for adults, but there are babies biting in PGI.

Capt. Josh & Fishin' Frank 10/03/23  — Cape Haze and Bokeelia have had decent schools of tarpon but intermittently. There are some fish in the 20-foot holes, but not as many as we'd expect. The ICW in Pine Island Sound is worth checking. There are smaller fish in the Harbor Heights area up to just before the water treatment plant. There may also be some fish in deeper holes in Shell Creek and up by the dam.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  09/16/2023 — It's a tough bite. Some have been in 12 to 15 feet of water near the 20-foot holes taking ladyfish or DOA Bait Busters, but it's not consistent. There are fish on bottom machines in Boca Grande Pass, but I've not heard of any success there. Juvenile tarpon are scattered all around the upper Harbor, but catching has been slim.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  09/09/2023 — The only consistent spot is around the 20-foot holes. Fish are also scattered near the mouth of the Myakka. The fish in Boca Grande Pass haven't really been targeted much, so they might or might not be eating.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  09/02/2023 — No reports due to the hurricane.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  08/26/2023 — Fish are peppered all over but nowhere is great. Try the 20-foot holes, Boca Grande Pass, the backside of Cayo Costa, Captiva Pass, and off the beaches. DOA Bait Busters and cut ladyfish are working; expect sharks if you're using natural bait.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  08/19/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is your best shot because the fish are consistently there. Off the beaches from the trough to two miles, they're actually feeding. Offer them DOA Bait Busters or NLBN soft plastics, or pinfish if you prefer bait. In the 20-foot holes, DOA Bait Busters are hot. They are on the move, so expect to burn some gas.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  08/12/2023 — The ICW from Captiva Pass to Venice has mostly little fish but some bigger ones. The beaches from Sanibel to Venice out to about 3 miles also have fish. There are also some fish in the passes, mostly in Boca Grande Pass. No matter where you go, the bite has been slow. Try big chunks of cut fish on the bottom.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  08/05/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is the spot. Very few anglers are targeting them, so the bite is excellent. Small pods may also move out along the beaches from Venice to Sanibel.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  07/22/2023 — Yes, it's late July, but Boca Grande Pass is still the hotspot. You can check the 20-foot holes, where there's lots of bait, but the tarpon have been few except in the Pass.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  07/15/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is still the best bet. The ICW from Three Sisters down to Captiva Pass could be workable. A few fish are moving into the Harbor, but it's not anything to get excited about yet.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  07/01/2023 — Boca Grande Pass has been the top spot. A few fish have been in Gasparilla Pass and out off the beaches.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  06/24/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is still the best spot. A few have been caught from a half-mile to three miles off the beaches. A few are also in Captiva Pass and Gasparilla Pass, and along the ICW between them.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  06/10/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is the spot to be, or you might try the beaches from Sanibel to Sarasota from a quarter-mile out to three miles. Any place else is very iffy.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  06/03/2023 — Most of the fish are concentrated around Boca Grande Pass right now. This is their biggest spawn of the year. You may find a few on the beach.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  05/20/2023 — Most of the fish are in Boca Grande Pass. Gasparilla Pass and Captiva Pass are also producing. Fish were on the beaches as of last week and probably will be later this week as well.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  05/13/2023 — Once again, Boca Grande Pass is pretty much the spot, and crabs are pretty much the bait.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  04/29/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is the hot spot, and crabs are the hot bait.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  04/22/2023 — Boca Grande Pass is the hot spot.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  04/15/2023 — Some fish stacking up in Boca Grande Pass, and that's probably your best shot at actually hooking one. Fish are scattered all over and you might happen across one just about anywhere. How lucky are you?

Robert &  Capt. Josh  04/08/2023 — The Shell Creek dam has been the hot spot to actually hook fish. There are loads of fish in Boca Grande Pass but they have been hard to catch.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  04/01/2023 — You'll see a lot in the Peace River, PGI, the Port Charlotte canals and Boca Grande Pass. Your best bet to actually hook on is in Boca Grande Pass with live shrimp or squirrelfish; crabs are useless right now.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  03/25/2023 — A few random fish have been caught, but we have nothing consistent. However, now is the time to get your tarpon tackle before the rush, because it won't be long at all.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  03/18/2023 — A lot of fish have been seen in the canals and river mouths, and there are scattered fish as far as Boca Grande Pass. But very few have been willing to bite. That will probably change in a week or two, but right now it's tough going.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  03/11/2023 — A slow bite has gotten slower. Let's not jump the gun, OK?

Robert &  Capt. Josh  03/04/2023 — Resident fish in the rivers are starting to feed a bit. It's not on yet, but if you have more patience than brains you can try it.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  01/28/2023 — No direct reports, but the fish are probably still in the Pass. Give it a shot midweek if you have a chance.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  01/21/2023 — It's not spring yet, but we've had a dozen or so reports in the last 10 days from Boca Grande Pass. All caught drifting with live shrimp.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  12/17/2022 — Sorry, folks — tarpon are pretty much done until spring.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  08/29/2022 — DOA Bait Busters and ladyfish are the prime baits right now. The mouth of the Myakka and the area between the west wall bar and the 20-foot holes have been holding the most fish. You also have a good chance east of the 20-foot holes and at the US 41 bridges. There are also fish in deeper water around Devilfish Key and from Useppa to Captiva Pass. You might hook up around Gasparilla Pass and the trestles, or on the beach off Gasparilla Island.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  08/13/2022 — Your best shot is between the west wall and the 20-foot holes. The fish might be anywhere from the edge of the bar to the holes themselves. On the east side, the area between the Pirate Harbor hole and Pirate Harbor itself has also had fish. Good reports are also coming from east of Captiva Pass. There's a fair shot at fish in the 20-foot holes and from 100 yards to 4 miles off the beaches from Venice to Captiva, plus some in Boca Grande Pass.

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Robert &  Capt. Josh  07/30/2022 — We've got decent numbers of fish in Boca Grande Pass and on the Hill. Some tarpon have also been in the ICW south of Boca Grande and on the beach from Stump Pass north to Venice. You might also run into fish at Alligator Creek Reef early or on the beach from Boca to Captiva.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  07/23/2022 — There are some fish along the ICW. Offer them cutbait. We also have some fish in the passes and on the beaches, where threadies might be better (but if they're not working, don't hesitate to try cutbait). Overall fewer fish than there should be, but they could show up any time.

Robert &  Capt. Josh  07/02/2022 — Your best shot is still Boca Grande Pass. The beaches from Sanibel to Tampa have fish up to about 5 miles out. There are fish moving around the ICW from Pine Island Sound to Venice. Crabs and threadies are the choice baits.

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 05/23/20 ------  

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 05/16/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 05/02/20 ------

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 04/25/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 04/18/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 04/11/20 ------   

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 04/04/20 ------     

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 03/28/20 ------ 

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 03/22/20 ------ No report,
there is tarpon here I just dont no where to put the dots

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 03/07/20 ------ 

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 02/22/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 02/15/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 02/08/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 01/25/20 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 01/04/20 -----

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 12/14/19 ------ 

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 11/30/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 11/16/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 11/09/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 11/09/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 10/05/19 ------

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 09/21/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon - 09/14/19 ------ 

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon with Capt Morris Campbell  - 09/07/19 ------

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 08/23/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 08/16/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 08/10/19 ------

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 07/27/19 ------ 

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 07/20/19 ------   

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 07/12/19 ------

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 07/05/19 ------  

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 06/24/19 ------- 

Fishin Frank, & Capt. Karl 941-565-7325 - 06/24/19 -------

 Fishin Frank, & Capt. Josh Olive, fishcoach.net - 06/16/19 ------  

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Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 05/24/19 -------

Fishin Frank, & Capt. Karl 941-565-7325 - 05/12/19 -------

                 Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 05/04/19 ------- 

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Fishin Frank & Mr. Blind Tarpon his-self "Robert"  - 04/27/19 ------- still hittiing
Biat buster or storm swim shads and bait wise it is lady fish. drifting or trolling motor
is ok but not much better then just putting out your anchor

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 04/12/19 -------The tarpon are at least a month early
and no claer feeding pattern, so bait buster and lady fish are the two best
The should be eating thread fins , but right now anything could be the best bait.

Fishin Frank, & Robert, The Blind Tarpon  - 04/06/19 -------  Yur best bet is off Knapps useing bait buster or shrimp free line or with a light weights
even fluke jerk baits, Boca use squirrel fish, The holes are about lady fish drifting and the bait busters can be cast but dragging it as you drift with a light jiggin action you have to be deep right along the bottom

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Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" - 03/30/19 ------- warm and clod water is keeping it sparactic

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" With Capt Mike Myers- 03/23/19 -------

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" - 03/16/19 ------- Boca pass has the best fishing

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 03/08/19 ------- Tarpon have moved into Boca pass and are all the way down to Estero bay

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Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" Along with Capt. Mike Myers - 02/23/19 ------up river is your best bet the power lines above Harbor heights
Maybe getting closer

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 02/16/19 ------- Up the river just past Harbor hieghts
and in east spring lake

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" along With Capt. Karl - 02/09/19 ------- ??

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 02/02/19 ------- Miami is going strong with the worm hatch going on.
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Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" Along with Capt. Karl - 01/26/19 ------Small ones in Port charlotte canals
The Tarpon are going crazy in Miami really something to see, the worm hatch is in full swing

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 01/19/19 ------- not yet too cold

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert" Along with Capt. Karl - 01/12/19 ------- ??????

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 01/05/19 ------- no report

Fishin Frank, & Blind Tarpon "Robert" & Capt Karl- 12/21/18 ------- no map,  nothing to report

 Fishin Frank, & Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 12/14/18 -------
No map . But there is Night t

ime Tarpon fishing at the 41 bridge

 Fishin Frank, & Robert our "Blind Tarpon"- 12/01/18 ------- 

Fishin Frank, & The Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 11/24/18 ------- 

Fishin Frank, & Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 11/17/18 -------

Fishin Frank, & Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 11/03/18 -------

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Fishin Frank, & Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 10/27/18 -------

Fishin Frank, & Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 10/19/18 ------- Early is a lady fish bite during the mid day god luck i just don't know
Drifting a lady fish under a float is your best bet.
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Fishin Frank,  "Robert" The Blind Tarpon- 09/27/18 ------- Tarpon are only hitting live bait fish,
Lady fish is the key early in the morning but later they switch to small baits and good luck I have no idea how to help you

Fishin Frank, Mr. Blind Tarpon "Robert"- 09/15/18 ------- Lady fish and swim baits are the trick
The tarpon are moving around the harbor a lot but as far as bait lady fish is still number one.

Fishin Frank, Robert the Blind Tarpon & Capt Josh Olive- 09/08/18 ------- The tarpon are going between the holes and the beach
Big pin fish are a great bet, the Tarpon are keyed in on lady fish, but love those pin fish. The Tarpon are north of Boca along the beach
to the south there is a few but better numbers along the beach. If you dont see Tarpon you are too close to shore they could be 3 to 10 miles out
 

Fishin Frank, Robert & Capt. Morris Campbell- 08/25/18 ------- Find Lady fish the tarpon should be close
Lady fish live or on ice free line or under a float for the tarpon. Bait Buster and Storm swim baits 5 or 6 inch
most colors doing well.

Fishin Frank, Robert 08/18/18 ------- Lady fish is the king of baits
The Bait buster is king of lures with a Hogie or big Z-man fluke close second
Lots of tarpon but they could be any where. This is some of the best tarpon fishing of the year

Fishin Frank, Robert 08/11/18 -------

Fishin Frank, Robert 08/04/18 ------- ???????

Fishin Frank, Robert 07/27/18 ------- bait buster in any color, I mean people are buying every color.
Lady fish and pin fish. the Pin fish are really starting to be "THE" bait. Had a couple guys in the Myakka
really hitting them with thread fins, There was a massive schools of thread fins and the tarpon were blasting them

Fishin Frank, Robert & Capt Josh Olive- 07/14/18 ------- They have benn out in 30 to 40 in the gulf
Better to the north of Boca, The tarpon in the deep holes in hte Harbor are eating thread fins and lady fish,
The DOA bait buster is the lure, up River is a tilapia.

Fishin Frank, Robert & Capt Josh Olive- 07/06/18 ------- Tarpon are out off the beaches on 30 to 40 fet of water
Tarpon in the deep holes are hitting bait buster and live thread fins.

 

Fishin Frank, Robert & Capt Josh Olive- 07/14/18 ------- They have benn out in 30 to 40 in the gulf
Better to the north of Boca, The tarpon in the deep holes in hte Harbor are eating thread fins and lady fish,
The DOA bait buster is the lure, up River is a tilapia.

Fishin Frank, Robert & Capt Josh Olive- 07/06/18 ------- Tarpon are out off the beaches on 30 to 40 fet of water
Tarpon in the deep holes are hitting bait buster and live thread fins.

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Fishin Frank,  Robert   06/29/18 -------- Not doing what they should be doing
they should be in the pass, but with the red tide they can't get there.
The Tarpon are just under the surface and chasing bait fish. Fresh mullet is doing great for Tarpon bait
The only problem for me is you have to be out there at day break for the best fishing.
You can see them and that is amazing but getting them to chew.
wtach for the free jumpers for your best hook up fish,

--Fishin Frank  Robert  & Capt Josh Olive  06/23/18 --------   Karl says it is a Mullet bite for the Tarpon up in the Harbor
it is a waiting game according to Josh. Robert The weather is your key , after 4:pm
to find your Tarpon on the east side, Possible Trolling, But after 4 most boats are gone and easier to find fish with out the other boats

Fishin Frank  & Capt Josh Olive and Morris Campbell  06/09/18 --------
The Red tide is pushing the tarpon out of the passes, during the day, But The Tarpon bite at night is real good
in Boca Pass,  Now why not during the day? Puzzle mr that one.
Some Tarpon are near Bull or Turtle Bay, Not so much in the bay as out side about a mile off
. The deep holes in hte Harbor have Tarpon but they are staying deep and are not being seen.
Along the beaches as you head north the tarpon are in smaller groups feeding or just cruising the shore line of the barrier Islands>
The better Tarpon fishing weather you are n the pass or up in hte Harbor or around the bridges is at night,

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Josh Olive  06/01/18 --------
a lot of Crabs flooding out of Boca pass and the Tarpon should start working the beaches
Best bet to hook up is a night time bite at one of the bridges. There is Boca pass which is still the steady fishing
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Fishin Frank , Robert   05/25/18 -------- Nost of the tarpon are feeding on crabs in Boca pass.
There is some tarpon hitting in the ICW anchor up and toss out a cat fish tail and free line it,
this full moon is a Major spawn time.

Fishin Frank , Robert   05/18/18 ------- Tarpon in hte Pass are feeding on
Crabs maybe Squirrel or Shrimp. Spinning rods 5 feet of leader with a 1 ounce pinch on weight
all you feel on the bite is a tiny tiny tappin. this weeks Maps
05/18/18

Fishin Frank , Robert   05/11/18 -------   Boca pass is still the place but they are moving onto the beaches more to the
north down to Stump up to Venice, Night time 41 and El-jo both have tarpon.
Tarpon are stating to head up on the hill. The deep holes in the Harbor has some but it is a live bait thing.
The beaches are a Crab thing and the DOA beach busters are king of hook up's.
 

Fishin Frank  & Capt Josh Olive 05/05/18 ------- Tarpon are thick in Boca Pass, Free-line crabs cat into the currant
and let them drift past you with your motor running in and out of reverse to hold you still from drifting is the way they are eating, as the tide just starts to change. when the tide gets going a bit more you will put on a Pinch on weight NOT a split shot this is a long slender weight with a tab at each end and it is placed right next to the hook start with 1/4 ounce and get heavier as the tide starts going faster, I have used up to an 1 1/2 ounce. These pinch on sinkers get a better drift and do not pick up as much weeds.
If you do not have them a split shot #2 will work just not quite as well about 4 inches in front of the hook.

Up in the Harbor the deep holes are hit or miss, but the Tarpon are often here just not showing themselves. so it is drifting with a free-lined lady fish and a DOA bait buster out 4 feet below a bobber or float.

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Fishin Frank , Robert  04/28/18 ------- Tarpon in Boca pass is your best bet, Squrril fish , Crabs and shrimp are the best baits
Just drift with a larger rubber core. The Tarpon are hitting the pass and then half go in side the Harbor and the other half are heading out along the beachs. In holes your best bet is Bait busters and shrimp. Out side the bar on hte east side, Drift and a lady fish is the best bet
Night time under the bridges is good with a Shrimp or a paddle tail Possible Bomber. a Frozen mullet or hpefulley live one, hooked thourgh the nose cast and retrive. Watch for rolling fish.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Josh Olive  04/21/18 ------- Boca Pass is where the most fish are.
Carb feed for the last couple days but the white bait and Pin fish. Now the Crabs are starting to flush, So that will be the prime bait
Slow troll a bait buster in hte holes up harbor. Try a large single hook reflecto Spoon 2 to 3 mile per hour.
Night fishing at the bridges is good storm swim baits are god But Big shrimp is the key for hook ups.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Carl  04/06/18 ------- Up the peace river past the harbor height power lines
Live mullet all the way to the water plant. and 41 at night and 2 pines has them out side the bar
Naps point off sanibel.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Carl  04/13/18 ------- Tarpon best bet would be Boca Grande pass
or knapps point off Sanibel. Up the Peace river it is about cut cat fish or mullet
two pines it is about lady fish or bait busters. The holes are a bait busters thing or ldy fish
Squirrel fish and Shrimp are your best hook up rate in Boca pass for Tarpon.

Fishin Frank , Robert  04/28/18 ------- Tarpon in Boca pass is your best bet, Squrril fish , Crabs and shrimp are the best baits
Just drift with a larger rubber core. The Tarpon are hitting the pass and then half go in side the Harbor and the other half are heading out along the beachs. In holes your best bet is Bait busters and shrimp. Out side the bar on hte east side, Drift and a lady fish is the best bet
Night time under the bridges is good with a Shrimp or a paddle tail Possible Bomber. a Frozen mullet or hpefulley live one, hooked thourgh the nose cast and retrive. Watch for rolling fish.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Josh Olive  04/21/18 ------- Boca Pass is where the most fish are.
Carb feed for the last couple days but the white bait and Pin fish. Now the Crabs are starting to flush, So that will be the prime bait
Slow troll a bait buster in hte holes up harbor. Try a large single hook reflecto Spoon 2 to 3 mile per hour.
Night fishing at the bridges is good storm swim baits are god But Big shrimp is the key for hook ups.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Carl  04/06/18 ------- Up the peace river past the harbor height power lines
Live mullet all the way to the water plant. and 41 at night and 2 pines has them out side the bar
Naps point off sanibel.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Carl  04/13/18 ------- Tarpon best bet would be Boca Grande pass
or knapps point off Sanibel. Up the Peace river it is about cut cat fish or mullet
two pines it is about lady fish or bait busters. The holes are a bait busters thing or ldy fish
Squirrel fish and Shrimp are your best hook up rate in Boca pass for Tarpon.

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Fishin Frank , Robert   03/30/18------  Small Tarpon in PGI and Port Charlotte . The sanibel cause 3way is your best bet
for larger Tarpon .

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt. Josh  03/17/18------ Not much they moved south with the cold water

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt. Josh  03/10/18------  Tarpon on the bottom in Boca grande pass.
Possible of the sand bar at two pines. El jo and 41 brodges at night there is Tarpon
Up river past Harbor hieghts under the power lines is your best bet.

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Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt. Karl   02/24/18------ Big Tarpon showing up around Sanibel and off the beach in the gulf
and a few pods of big Tarpon of Boca. Tarpon at night in boca pass. and For the river people up the peace by hte RV park and the water treatment
In hte gulf you will find Tarpon on the several of the near shore reefs, YES they are on marys or one close to that. coming into the Harbbor

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt. Karl   02/16/18------ Tarpon in the Pgi and Sheel creek as well as El jo

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt. Karl   02/10/18------ At the sans Soucie and The back of the Ohara water way
And up by 41 in North point.

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt Josh Olive   02/02/18------ Tarpon in The PGI canals and up by the shell creek dam and by the trestle
 

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Fishin Frank & Robert   01/06/18------- In port charlotte canals way back by tea st,
and in the pgi canals. Up te Peace river from the RV  park to the water treatment plant possible Tarpon way up coral creek
Fishin Frank & Robert   01/15/18------ Possible in PGI and up past the Navigator

Fishin Frank , Robert & Capt. Karl   01/19/18------ Some in Harbor hieghts by the power lines and up by river side
camp ground .    - 

Tarpon in spirng lake and some in Pgi from 5 to 15 pounds There are some up at sheel creek dam with report sof larger Tarpon

Tarpon Reports for 2017

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Fishin Frank & Robert   12/02/17------- Possible at the 41 bridge at night , Boca grande pass
is the best bet for larger Tarpon, Smaller Tarpon are thick in PGI canals and spring lake,
and some tarpon in Pirate harbor.

 Fishin Frank & Robert   12/08/17------Larger Tarpon in Boca pass, and under the 41 at night
At el jo there is Tarpon first light, The PGI canals have a huge amount of Samller Tarpon
In boca the Tarpon have been hitting squirrel fish-

Fishin Frank & Robert   12/29/17------ Tarpon in the Port Charlotte and PGI canals
For Big Tarpon look at the reef they have been seen rolling there -  

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Fishin Frank & Robert   11/04/17-------- Boca Grande and Captiva passes have big Tarpon
and the is some lower in the ICW, The deep holes still have some nice size Tarpon
The Peace river has mixed sizes and the Canals in Port Charlotte have a lot of Smaller Trapon

Fishin Frank & Robert   11/11/17--------  The smaller Tarpon are thick in PGI and Port Charlotte
The Big Tarpon are in the holes or at Alligator creek Reef they are Hitting the DOA bait bustrer
or yo can use lady fish, but there is not a lot of othere things working
In Boca Grande Pass it is a little different Rapala trolling lure and Pin fish for these pass Tarpon is working
Some of the biggest Tarpon are here in Boca Pass

Fishin Frank & Robert   11/23/17--------  In the deep hole they are good on Bait busters
and the Tarpon are still working Boca Pass. and some along the ICW by Captiva Rocks.
The Port Charlotte canals have a bunch of smaller Tarpon.

Fishin Frank & Robert   10/14/17-------- Tons of smaller Tarpon in the canals of PGI
Some Big tarpon in the deep holes drifting lady fish is the way they are hitting
Fishin Frank & Robert   10/20/17--------  Some smaller in PGI and east spring lake
Larger Tarpon at the reef and in the 20 foot hole, drift or slow troll at Bait buster or lady fish.
There is some Tarpon in the ICW by Captiva rocks down to Sanibel.
( fish in the air last Monday in the deep holes

Fishin Frank & Robert   10/27/17-------- Possible at the reef and still some in the deep holes
Boca Grande pass has quite a few tarpon,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fishin Frank & Robert   09/01/17--------  Tarpon are a bit tougher Cape haze reef or
Alligator creek reef, some out on the beaches.
DOA bait buster and the Savage trout are the best lures,
Live lady fish is the number 1 best bet,

Fishin Frank & Robert   09/15/17--------  Small tarpon on the flats on the east side just on the out side edge of
the Islands, and on the west side the Tarpon are right out side of the bar.
Fishin Frank & Robert   09/23/17-------- Lots of Tarpon at least the smaller ones on hte flats and nn the canals
The larger tarpon on at the Pine Islands sound with pin fish.

Fishin Frank & Robert   09/29/17--------   Drifting lady fish in hte deep holes,
or you can go for smaller ones which are thick on the flats.

09/01/17

Fishin Frank & Robert   08/25/17--------  Tarpon in the holes in the Harbor
They are moving hole to hole I would look off the bottom of the west wall.
Cape haze, In Boca pass has Tarpon moving in or out afternoon bite in Boca pass
 

Fishin Frank & Robert   08/11/17-------- Tarpon look at the reef and then check the deep holes
start 20 foot  then middle final Pirate Harbor then swing west to cape haze then up the west side.
the deep holes are better in hte middle of the day as the deeper water is cooler.
Some Tarpon in Boca and Captiva look at the phosphate dock they have been hanging out there
The Mayaka river is another decent chance either there or not.

Fishin Frank & Robert   08/18/17-------- Tarpon have been a bit hard to get lately
at el-jo and in the river, The deep holes have tarpon moving from hole to hole
Lady fish is key to the bite , watch for lady fish , catch one and put it out under a float
right where you caught it, that is where the tarpon will hit it. Live under a float, if the fish dies
take off the float, and free line the dead lady fish.

Fishin Frank & Robert   08/04/17-------- The Tarpon have been in and out of the holes,
The phosphate dock in Boca, some Tarpon along the beaches.
The west wall had a bunch of Tarpon, The trick to this is to catch a lady fish,
and then your big rod then use a float for the lady fish, and then stay with the lady fish while you drift
Then you cast a DOA bait buster. The tie able steel leader is the Tarpon leader of choice.
With the dark water it is a good as the floro leader.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fishin Frank & Robert   07/06/17-------- Tarpon are on the beaches, But more and more are inside
the harbor, they are scattered, Capt. Cayle has been in the tick of them between the holes just south of the reef.
Captiva pass has some better chances at tarpon. There is enough lady fish in front of Alligator creek to enitice the tarpon
up close to mangrove point.
find a spot where the tarpon are rolling and stay there, if they were rolling there and then they move do not move with them
wait for a bit and get quiet they will come back to that spot 7 times out of ten.

Fishin Frank & Robert   07/15/17--------  The Tarpon are really keyed in on hte Lady fish, which means the west side
is the best right now, as it has most lady fish, all of the hole will have Tarpon but not all day
They are moving in and out up and down the Harbor
The DOA bait buster is the king of Tarpon lures, slow trolled or casting.

Fishin Frank & Robert   07/21/17-------- Tarpon are moving all over the holes up to the Myakka
The best numbers seem to be on the east or west sides, the middle your looking for rolling fish
The big deal is to find the lady fish. Tyhe passes have tarpon in hte evening to night time, Not much during the day

Fishin Frank & Robert   07/29/17-------- Tarpon are really biting but you have to look for them once you see them
just stop and put out a lady fish live or dead, Then start casting a bait buster,
The Harbor is where the best fishing, there mostly in the holes if not the one your in look to the next
The out side of the sand bar the big Tarpon are going to be 7 foot or deeper the small tarpon are on the bars.
 

Tarpon

   Fishin Frank & Robert   06/17/17--------   Tarpon been working the beach early in the day, The Passes like Boca and Captiva have lot sof Tarpon
Until 9 am or so , The Tarpon seem to move up on the hill or maybe out side on the pan.
The after noon bite is good starting around 5 :Pm During the day the Tarpon mill around until about 9:am then decide to
go some where either north or south and they are moving at 6 MPH so you really have to run to get in front of them.
  Night time bite is the way to go, 41 bridge or the bridges in Fort Myers are hitting Live or dead Shrimp all night.
Fishin Frank & Robert   06/23/17-------- The Tarpon have been way out in to the gulf or disappeared through a hole
in time space , but several have come back and are on the beaches.
North up from Venice north there is a ton of Tarpon on the beaches.

 Boca pass to Gasparilla and down to Captiva the Tarpon are on the beaches there as well.
I hav3e a bet with Robert that the tarpon are going to be in the holes of the Harbor as the bait has moved in.
Lots of tarpon at the 41 bridge at night from 10 to dawn, and shrimp is the best bait.
Snook and Triple tail are the by catch

Fishin Frank & Robert   06/30/17------- Boca has Tarpon is a morning or dark thing
The full moon will shift the tarpon bite to late in the day.
The beaches ate the most consistat area to catch or hook up, now they could be very close to shore
But if the storms had move by they will be out 3 miles from the beach. From sanibel start looking nnorth to Stump pass

The bridges of cape coral, 41, Placida, tom Adams, Crabs are good bait on the beaches,
But here in the upper harbor the tarpon are scattered but it is a thread fin bait thing.
The night time bite is steady but day time if you look you can find them check the mouth of the myakka River
and watching them blow up and shoot into the sky very cool.

 Tarpon map 05/13/17

Tarpon now that the full moon is over the Tarpon should settle in to more of a pattern
They did not leave last night as they are holding better in the pass.
The Tarpon just moved up onto the hill today and yesterday was the first day of really good fishing
on the hill, Small to med size crabs. one day they wnat tiny crabs the next day larger hand size.
Thread fins are in the gulf moving into the Harbor and will star to be better bait for the tarpon
as they numbers on crease in the Harbor.

  Tarpon map 05/04/17

Tarpon are  on the beaches, but days like today, they seem to have headed off into the
Gulf. And the most likley reason is the Thunder storm. The Tarpon are like scared
little baby fish when it comes to lighting, and head for deep water.
The best lures right now are the Live Target swim bait reeled slowly just fast enough
to get the tail moving. or the DOA Bait buster, which should be jigged just a bit.

The tarpon were up river, but the number thinned down while there is still some Tarpon
up by the Navigator the only people hooking up have live mullet. from 5 to 10 inches
free lining them.

  Tarpon map 05/02/17

Tarpon map 04/07/17

The Tarpon have just start biting,. the Captains all have Tarpon rods on the boat
so this year is off to a very good start, and with the water temps being perfect
and the cool front this week. we are hoping for better and better.

Tarpon maps and reports for 2016  

.

10/24/16- Tarpon over the last couple weeks, is different
we have been expecting them to come crashing back into the Harbor after the hurricane came through
and just as we were going to report on all of the Tarpon herein the Harbor they are gone,
Not completely but very very few are still here .
If they show back up anywhere but the ones which will live out the winter months in the
Canals which there are more small Tarpon in the canals this year than ever before
We will post it. Sorry it took so long but with the North fort MKyers store getting open
and life we thought they would be back. 

09/28/16- Tarpon  are still loaded in the upper  Harbor
The key is to find lady fish, they are kind of hard to find right now,
There is a lot of tarpon by Alligator Creek out towards the reef and the Lady fish
are there as well, try trolling for the lady fish.
The Tarpon bite is getting better witht he passing days and with no cold front for a while
it is going to stay good. we cover a lot about tarpon on the Area Fishin report on Radio Fishin
but I plan to talk to Captains and put up that recording as soon as possible.

09/22/16- Tarpon scattered all over the upper Harbor
Lady fish and chunks of Mullet are the key right now. You do have to look so have a full tank of fuel
but they are there, just exactly where of there is the question
   Radio fishin - Talking Tarpon - 09/22/16 23 minutes

09/14/16- Tarpon are hard to find and not really biting well,
This is a difficult year for the silver King, maybe the excess rain all season or the hot weather
or the Russians have hacked the tarpon data base. What ever there is a shot at a Big fish
In front of colony point from 8 to 9 in the morning, then some time during the day
they have been showing up from Ponce park over to Alligator creek and or out by the reef.
Lures are the bait buster and the storm swim bait, reel the storm slowly where as if you use the DOA
it is a jigging action, No bait is the ONE to use could be cat fish tails or maybe lady fish.
or an alien species of animal. I wish I knew

       Talk Tarpon Radio Fishin 09/14/16, 27 minutes

08/22/16- Tarpon has been  best from the reef to alligator creek
from 40 pound fish to 100 pound plus. Bait buster and storm swim baits
They are really eating lady fish.
The storm bait is a slow steady retrieve, You might want to try popper lures,
yes this is a top water bite
We are hoping the big push of Tarpon is yet to come but maybe this is it.

Tarpon talking radio fishin 08/22/16

08/17/16- Tarpon Fishin is not what it could be this summer.
The tarpon took a run out into the Gulf, I mean 50 or more miles out and have just been hanging out there
in the deep water. This week there has been a bit more tarpon move back into the Harbor.
From just south of Ponce Park out to the alligator Reef and down along the sand bar on the east side.
Some Tarpon hanging out in the middle and upper holes.
Key to getting tarpon is finding the lady fish, Find the lady fish and them throw the Storm Swim baits
for the Tarpon and slow with to moderate reeling, on the retrieve. and that is the way several have been hooked.
D.O.A. bait buster another good one. Lady fish alive free lined is good as well, But the slow reeled Storm bait has been the best net.

06/30/16- Tarpon have not changed much since the last reports
There is quite a few between I-75 and 41 but I did not mark the map with
them as they are there only at night or first thing in the morning. as marked with the purple dot
Out in Harbor the Tarpon are eating DOA bait buster, or a storm swim shad or for the live baiters
thread fin and or cat fish, small cats live or larger ones chunks of tail
 

 Radio tarpon talk 07/04/2016 Happy Independence day click here. 35 minutes

06/30/16- Tarpon are moving a lot the thunder storms are moving fish
up into the Harbor as the storms are hitting more in the Gulf and not so much in the Harbor itself.
The Tarpon on the beaches are in small pods, and they are moving slower, a little easier for a bite/hook-up.
I would be taking advantage of the Tarpon still on the beaches, where the Harbor is going to get better,
and the tarpon will be not on the beach or the pass in another month.
In the Harbor, Cat-fish and threadfin are your best bait. on the beaches or the hill. Crabs or thread-fins are the
best bet.
Under the bridges at night it is a Pin fish or Thread fin bite.
    Radio Tarpon talk with Robert, Capt. Cayle, and Fishin frank 06/30/16 46 minutes

06/27/16- Tarpon are starting to move back up into he Harbor although
there is a lot of Tarpon working the beaches, bet fishing seems to be from Captiva to Venice
lots of territory but there is a lot of Tarpon, The Tarpon have been on the hill pretty steady
just in side Boca, and the good news for us in the upper Harbor the holes are attracting plenty of Big Tarpon

  Click here for this weeks tarpon talk radio program 06/27/16   20 minutes

06/20/16- Tarpon have been up in the Harbor, in good numbers.
But the real action is out by Boca, The hill tides or simple terms very strong out going tides
are the final big crab feed and last hoo-rah for the spawning. so very intense feed
. There are Tarpon along the beaches, and it has been very good fishing to ok
so I used both Red and yellow. The Pass fishing for big Tarpon is going to be better after dark
So get a couple Q-beam lights and head out for some Tarpon action. a reminder
We get a lot fo afternoon to early evening stroms so watch the weather even more right now.
P.S. - good to be back at the reports.
   

Tarpon Fishin is really tough, the new moon hill tide is behind us, So the Tarpon should be
moving into the Harbor, The west winds should push some bait fish into the Harbor, and the River rose 3 feet in the last 28 hours
which should wash some bait down river, between those two thing the tarpon should be thick in the Haror once the storms leave
The lighting seem to chase the Tarpon out into deep water,
we wont know ofr sure until the wind from the Tropical storm lets up
but looking forward to a great Tarpon week next week.

Tarpon 05/24/16 ok simple map, Tarpon are loaded up into the pass/passes
it is hill tide right now which means, A very strong out going tide which is what the crabs use to get out of Charlotte
harbor and into the gulf, this mass migration of crabs is well known to tarpon and means feast.
The Tarpon will feast on hundreds of these crabs, and then head out into the gulf to spawn.

So while there may be one or two unsociable fish here or there, 98 percent of the Tarpon
are in the passes . Ok so simple go get them.

Tarpon over this last week, The vast majority ran off shore out into the gulf, because of the last front
now last night they have all moved back into the passes Boca and Captiva passes the tarpon here are feeding on
Thread fins and or Crabs. It seems to be an all day bite, Any time the Tarpon are going to move back up into
the ICW and the Harbor holes. Good time to try the kitchen sink theory, throw lots of different baits and
lures because there is no pattern to the bite yet.
Dead bait /cut bait is a strong thing to try right now, The tarpon with every weather going on
should be more likely to bite / feed off the bottom on easy to catch dead bait.
Casting or bobber jigging  a Bait bust DOA or a Storm jig, I think the bobber jigging with
6 feet of leader from the float to the jig is your best bet.
If you are going to cast and retrieve. Cast and the retrieve would be hard pull up, and
slow reel letting the jig fall then hard up again.

this will be or sould be a two to three day event then every thing will change.
We will be back to let you know where and how the Tarpon bite heads
 

Tarpon 05/04/16 the chase for Tarpon took a different twist this week. The Tarpon
which had been moving along the beaches on the out side of Boca and the Barrier islands
have now moved into the ICW. The fishing techniques have changed as well,
 along the beaches it was run and gun to see pods of Tarpon and get in front of them.
Now that they are in the Inter-coastal, It is a what and let them come to you.
So finding a good spot is about looking for a point where the ICW narrows then opens up to
a larger shallow area. Anchor your boat, cast out a free line Thread fin and a thread fin under a bobber.
Then cast out a dead bait on the bottom like a chunk of lady fish or Mullet or even a thread fin.
The bad news or good news is you will also hook up sharks, Cobia or even Big Mackerel.

Tarpon along the I.C.W. between St. James and up the inter-coastal to Cayo Costa
are all in ones or two's that is why I used yellow dots . The beach is also sort of hit or miss
that is why the red and yellow.
The most consistent place is the deep holes in the harbor, drifting with live or even dead lady fish
is almost a hook-up guarantee. Lures like paddle tail swim bait are working great.
cool trick is to place it 6 feet below a float. and let the bobber jig it.
 
Crabs and Shrimp are doing best along the beaches, the shrimp do not have to be very big
place the shrimp on a 1/2 once jig head maybe a 3/8 and cast it out let it sink, let slow jig it back in.
Crabs a #2 split shot just to get the crab down a bit.

The Harbor Tarpon are eating thread fins and or lady fish.
cabbage key has a big knot of Tarpon white bait large size or big 5 plus inch thread fins
free line

Tarpon Maps 2015  

look down the page, to give your self an idea of, where the Tarpon have been over the last few weeks
and if you check the other years, you might see a pattern, just like in the static on your TV, aliens Yes Tarpon are aliens,
or you might make yourself crazy looking for one. either way it is here and I have a button right above this showing other years.

  Pink dots = night fishing spots
  white dot = Fair less than 50% Chance
 Yellow dot = Better 50/50 chance
  Red dot = Good really good chance

10/09/15

Tarpon Fishin is all about the Lady fish, If you are looking for larger Tarpon
100 pound + . The Canals are still full of Smaller Tarpon,

09/28/15
 

08/18/15 Tarpon continue to be filling the canals, There are more Tarpon this year in the
Canals than I have ever seen. We are getting really curious as to why there are so many, Small Tarpon.
One thing I can promise it has nothing to do with Jig or lack of Jig fishing. That said it may have something
to do with the changing nature of Boca Grande Pass, with no dredging the pass is just not the same place it was
for tarpon to hang out, as seen by the lack of Tarpon in the passes. this may have moved the spawning to farther out in the gulf.
But I do not really think that is it. I think it is the amount of rain, lack of bait fish, these along with the changing water flow in
Boca pass combined. would help move the tarpon out into deeper waters of the gulf. Tarpon like Snook can live in fresh water
but if they spawn in fresh water the eggs sink and do not hatch. the lack of bait, and changing of water flow in the pass, and
just enough rain to freshen the Harbor waters, would and could make all of difference in how many eggs survive.
I have seen this in the Snook population, and I believe this is where all of the small Tarpon are coming from.
Did something happen to trigger an excessive spawn or was the weather just perfect for hatching
baby Tarpon. . . Ok enough rant.
Big Tarpon can be found in the deep holes in the Harbor as well as in the Myakka River, there is enough cat-fish, Lady fish
and food for them and lets not forget about the massive Pin fish hatch, millions apon millions of pin fish
have hatched and they are great Tarpon bait this season.

Lures for tarpon are right on normal track, The D.O.A. Bait buster, mullets, and the
Storm Swim baits. Trolling Rat-L-traps for Tarpon is getting some attention
keep the front treble hook, but flatten the barbs, then replace the rear treble with a single hook.
do not replace both treble hooks, with single hooks. the lure will not swim right and you wont catch Tarpon.

When throwing storm or the more popular D.O.A. cast count to 10 after the lure hits the water
and then fast lift of the tip and slowly drop the rod downward, then take up the slack, repeat a lot
 

08/03/15 Tarpon. are hitting storm swim shads 4 or 6 inch color is your choice
with no clear best color, The same can be said for the D.O.A. bait buster. Working these
lures is still a cast out let it fall for at least 8 seconds, then a quick lift of the Rod and
a slow drop of the tip, reel in the slack and repeat.

There are a few schools of thread fins in the Harbor if you can find them, the tarpon
will not be far away. But finding them is a bugger. they are not often at the surface
Seeing them on your bottom machine has been the key to locating the schools
Once you find them Sabiki is ok but the dark water makes them hard to catch with the sabiki
So a 10 foot + cast net 3/8 or larger mesh is your best bet.
 

To use the Thread fin for bait, one under a float 6 feet below the bobber, drifting
keep another thread fin free line, 4 feet of 50 or 60 pound fluorocarbon leader and your just your hook
. hook size depends on the bait size but I would say 5/0 to 7/0. I will sometimes use a #2 split shot or
pinch weight just to get the Thread fin to go deeper.
But you need to have a rod to cast with. and one with the float/bobber just drifting along behind the
boat. The one to cast with is just so you don't go crazy as you see one roll.
The one drifting behind the boat is the one which will most likely hook up with.

07/06/15

Tarpon  fishing The fish have moved into the Harbor, The holes are your best bet
Thread fins and cat fish are the best live baits, as far as lures go the Bait buster
is the lure of choice, They will still hit a crab but the tarpon are keying into the fish
more and more. Here in the Harbor the fish will show them selves by rolling<
so it is a matter of waiting to a wave that is bright shiney silver
The fish on the beach are scattered out but the seem to still want the crabs more
here on the beach than the fish up in the Harbor. The Schools of Tarpon on the beaches
are smaller, but with less pressure they are more willing to take a bait.
So be prepared to wait a while to find them, but you should hook up when you do find the tarpon

07/06/15

Tarpon  fishing is ok lot sof fish, but hard to figure out how to get them to eat
Lot sof Tarpon along the beaches and in the pass, they are just done with the major spawn
So the party is over now the hang over time, Carbs are still the best bait,
The fish in the habor are in the deep holes but now rolling as much
all should change this week as the moon gets smaller. The darker nights will
be key to getting the Tarpon to eat during the day.

06/24/15

Tarpon are still eating crabs but in the Harbor the tarpon are switching over to thread fins
the good part is they are easy to get and not as expensive as Crabs. The bad news is the Cta fish
like them as much as the Tarpon, and the Cat fish are big enough to eat a 5 inch thread fin no problem
The Pass and the hll are carck of Dawn to about 10:am the Tarpon then just kind of done,
after 10 you might want to try the beaches, it is an one and off again bite all day.
Up in the Harbor is sort of the same oas the beaches with on and off again bite.
The Tarpon bite in the Harbor is mostly all bait, with no real reports of Tarpon hitting any lures.
but that will come soon.

06/15/15
Tarpon. are really feeding on the crabs, the "hill" tides are in full outgoing rush
which is what the crabs use to get out into the gulf to finsh thier spawning
so the Tarpon are on the hill first thing in the morning then moving into Boca
Grande Pass, where they spend the day, Once the late afternoon hits the tarpon
get a big meal, starts then it's boy/girl stuff all night. By the morning they have had enough
and move back into the Harbor and passes from along the beaches.
Some of them head into the Harbor on to the hill and others seem to be staying in the pass
the bite was from 6:pm to 7:pm, and yesterday it was from 4:pm to 6:pm.
Short version this is the time to hook the Tarpon you are dreaming of in the pass or
on the hill.

06/05/15
Watch at night for thunder and lighting , when that happens the Tarpon seem to head out into
the gulf and then north, So if you are along the beaches from stump pass to Boca
early in the day, very good shot at your tarpon..

06/02/15
The tarpon fishing have been spawning so, Every evening they will leave and head out into the Gulf
notice the dots out of Boca pass. some where between 2:am and day light the party is over and the tarpon
head back towards the beaches and Passes, the most fish use Boca pass, but all of the passes are seeing this
happen, So from Punta Rasa to Gasparilla the same thing with tarpon bunching late in the day, and
returning over night. This why the fishing along the beaches is so good right now.
after the party, A snack is order, Haven't we all stopped for a bite after a night at the Clubs?
   ..

5/25/15
The Storm really the lighting seems to be affecting, the Tarpon have run out into the Gulf
the red & yellow dots going out into the gulf are here to show the Tarpon have
gone out to about 4 miles off the beach, The Red & yellow dots along the beach,
is because the Tarpon are still moving along the beaches but slowed down as I said
I believe because of the lighting storms.
Up in the Harbor there are still tarpon but If there is no storms tonight, the number will go
up and so will the catching. Jig fishing in the pass is getting better, red head and green tails.
The morning bite is getting very good, until around 10:am
Now on the beaches and in the Harbor, is great form 4:pm to dark
If you are ok with just hanging out and waiting , and want to hook a lot of Tarpon
Anchor off the side of the ICW from Useppa, to Captiva Rocks, and cast out cat-fish tails
chunks of mullet or Crabs, and the Tarpon will come by one here and one there,
But they will come by and they will eat, not as much fun as running the Boat all
over from hell to breakfast, but you will hook Tarpon. Almost too simple,
 

5/19/15 The fishing here has been an afternoon bite, early is good
But the tide is really the factor in the afternoon bite, the strong out going tide after lunch
are producing a tremendous crab migration/ spawn run. where thousands of crabs are being flushed
out of the Harbor to the gulf, 
Here is a thought, if you catch the Crabs you need, not just keep all you can, next year
the crabs may still be here. every two you keep and kill for greed/ oh look there are so many
crabs. each pair of crabs could have produced hundreds of babies. Just think about it.
while you watch the passenger pigeons fly by. nothing wrong with keeping a few.
you know what you need, stop there.

5/15/15 Tarpon have Been on a crab bite but the last few days it has been
more about thread fins, But we expect that to change back to a crab bite when the tide start changing
the tide are going to be more extreme and that will start flushing more crabs.
The Tarpon in the Harbor are more mixed in their diet, Pin fish, thread fins and
as far as lures go the DOA bait buster in the root beer and the Chartruse colors seem
to be the best. root beer far out selling the Chratruse but the guys buying the Chartruse are
buying lots of them. The after noon feed has been better up in the Habor,
the beaches are a early morning thing, I mean the crack of dawn. to around 9:am
then it slow to a good bite, until noon then it gets more slow Late in the afternoon
the  

5/08/15
The Tarpon are moving and as the maps show they are thick along the beaches
Early in the morning like day break, when you see dawns crack, you will see fish in the air.
Thread fins a primary Tarpon bait are moving into the Harbor again, making them even batter
as bait. the crabs are the abit right now, on the hill and on the beaches. 
as you go north along the beaches like stump pass the Thread ifn seems to be better
than the crabs but hey no telling for sure try to have both.
 

 5/07/15
Capt. Chris says It is a hill thing< the tarpon are om the hill and try to get in front of them
They are full on feeding mode. Morning bite is great so is the late day,
During the middle of the day. it is only really good, Best Time to hook a tarpon ever.

 4/20/15
The trend continues that when the wind is blowing the Tarpon put their nose to
the wind and move. So if the wind is blowing from the west, the Tarpon are
heading into the gulf, If the wind blows from the East the Tarpon move into the Harbor.
If the wind is light they scattered where ever the bait is.
The new Tarpon Jig for the Pass are working well, and a new thing which is bobber
jigging, now don't get up-set I am not talking about a Pass Jig for you idiots who
re-act with out thinking. When you are drifting in the Harbor, Often it is hard to find
live bait and casting a lure at the Tarpon is tough, So place a Bait-Buster or Swim bait
under a bobber about 6 foot or so, and use a hitch hiker screwed in about half way between
The eye where you tie on your leader and your hook, Loop your leader under
the hook of the hitch hiker and Wah-lah the perfect rig to bobber jig. Put the rod
in a back rod holder and let it sit there until the Tarpon wacks it.

4/20/15 From Capt. Mat Hagg
tarpon have moved out in to the Gulf with the weather but they have already
started to come back to the beaches, several tarpon have been jumped along the beacches
to day. and it is gooing to get way better for the next couple days, Then Wed or Thursday
if the next front comes through it will chase them back into the Gulf, But with
The spawn in full mode they wil be back on the beaches by Staurday.
Mat says the Tarpon from Englewood to sanibel island are thick, Some of the best tarpon
Fishin of the lastweek has been right off of Fort Myers Beach

4/20/15

04/07/15

04/05/15

The Tarpon have been very steady here in the 14 ft hole and the mouth of the Myakka
River for the last 2 days. and What we dont know is which lure is going to be the one
to really light up here. I am betting on the Rat-L-Tarp 3/4 or 1 once. Storm Swim shads
have bben ok, and the DOA bait-buster is ok. But nothing has really been "the one"
maybe a 16 long A bomber?  Any way the Tarpon are here and feeding on thread fins
and Spanish. The is a lot of Lady fish here as well.
Good luck I have heard so much about these fish, I thought I should share

04/02/15  Robert,s
   The tarpon are not rolling much yet, as the water is a little cool
But they are free jumping, which means for no reason that humans can really under stand
Best guess is they are feeding. I think they are showing off for the Girls. Part of a mating type ritual
Like guys smashing beer cans on their foreheads.
A free jump is when a Tarpon launches its-self completely out of the water,
Often 6 feet or more clear of the surface. I think the girl Tarpon are watching,
and give style points for how high, & landings Every once in a while a Tarpon will clear
the water and make it over So it's appears to be a perfect dive, and then there is the belly flop,
Most common is the lay over pushing a wall of white water out like a boat crashing into on-coming waves
.
Best Bait right now if some kind of fish, Thread fin or Pin fish, The big schools of Thread fins
are off the beaches, But there are some in the Harbor. Pin fish are a good 2md choice with lady fish
or whiting doing ok as well. Crabs do not yet seem to be what they are looking for.
Good luck

04/02/15 Bonus round
This is from Captain Josh Greer

As Tarpon move and Captains find them we will try and get you the latest info.
 It is not surprising when a Map from one Captain will not match the other as each fishes a different area.

03/09/15

  This map is with the Help of Capt. Chuck Jenks

Capt. Chuck this is the best pre-season and it is only gonna get better,
Watch for bait, Birds or something moving on the water, That is where you will
find Tarpon, Now the best bait this year so far is Thread fin herring or Threadies
as the locals call them, You will need a cast net 10 foot or bigger with 5.8 inch mesh
to cast net these Thread fin in the open Harbor the ones you are looking for are at
least 5 inches long or more. If you are not good with a cast net. Thread fins can be
caught with a Sabiki rig.
Capt. Chuck is putting on a 6 foot leader with a float at the top of the leader.
Then get in an area with bait or fish activity and just drift or use your electric
trolling motor on slow to keep the bait fish swimming.

03/09/15
Yes the Tarpon have started showing up . this could be a very early season this

Year. For the smaller Tarpon the 1/4 once Rat-L-trap is still rockin them in the canals
along with the DOA terror eyez

03/02/15
 The Tarpon are doing well in some of the canlas in Cape coral close to Matlachee.
 The Port Charlotte and PGI canals have quite a few as well.
The Rivers are seeing Tarpon come down at night to feed on bait by the bridges, We feel it is the lights
of the bridges which brings the Tarpon to feed at night, Like an every night full moon.
 

Tarpon maps 2014    
look down the page, to give your self an idea of, where the Tarpon have been over the last few weeks
and if you check the other years, you might see a pattern, just like in the static on your TV, aliens Yes Tarpon are aliens,
or you might make yourself crazy looking for one. either way it is here and I have a button right above this showing other years.
white dot = Fair less than 50% Chance
 Yellow dot = Better 50/50 chance
 Red dot = Good really good chance 

09/26/14 Tarpon Fishing Bait buster are still the king and really nothing
else comes close, root beer and Purple, and the white with green back, 3 best colors
Lady fish remains the best bait, Tossing some green backs is ok, and you may hook up
with the green backs but it is a distant 3rd choice,
Look for birds working, the Tarpon are feeding on the fish feeding on the bait fish which
the birds are feeding on, I hope you followed that, The tarpon are not attaching the birds
but the lady fish or Mackerel are messy feeders and the birds are picking up the pieces
or stunned bait left behind from them feeding and the Tarpon are there feeding on the fish
not the bait.
Keep an eye out for the birds and you will get your shot at a Tarpon

09/26/14 Tarpon Fishing still remains good through out the upper harbor
Time of day is less important then the timing with the tides, get out at low tide and fish the
incoming water, You are seeing free jumpers, and scattered Tarpon rolling.
Just drift your whole lady fish or blind cast a bait buster, I have of one guy using a hammered
musky spoon with gold reflective tape, cast that he has jumped several Tarpon about an 1 once spoon
so good time to try difference stuff.

09/26/14 Tarpon Fishing has spilt into two different issues
You have the big Tarpon in the Harbor or Rivers and then there is the ones in the canals
The canal tarpon are unsally less than 50 pounds down to 8 inches long and less than a pound
I now cute little buggers, but the primary ones in the canals that we target are the ones 5 to 20 pounds
maybe 3 feet long, get your self a 1/4 once rat-l-trap best color is the black charturse, or small
creme swim tails I would start with the rat-l-trap, it dose not have to be the black / chartuse reds and
other colors are working, but they do have to be small, if you are cheap and have a 1/2 once throw it until
you get tires and come in and buy a 1/4 the 1/2 is really just too big.
Teyh Harbor is a different story lady fish is your best bait, if you want to cast here it is all about the DOA
swimming mullet or bait buster. just off pirate Habor 8 feet of water you sould out a couple in the air
and in the middle holes drift and cast while dragging a whole lady fish and you shold have the day
you wanted alst spring.

09/26/14 Tarpon Fishing The red spots are showing the holes in the Harbor
but the Tarpon are just not really there in the AM, if you wait until after lunch to be frustrated
you will have twice the chances to catch your Sliver King.
Lady fish chunks are not working well, the whole fish live or dead is way better, taliapa is your best
bait live if possible, getting hard to find them, which sucks as they are great bait. Oh yeah live
is against the law, Lures for them are the DOA swimming mullet, it is heavier than the bait buster
and gives you the little more depth you need, and even cost less than the bait buster, DOA just
rocks the Tarpon at a great price

09/26/14 Tarpon Fishing I would say is a Harbor thing right now, the deep holes
at the north end to the Myakka river have enough fish to make the day,
But this does remind me of Musky fishing right now lots  and lots of casting a DOA bait buster
before you hook up, if you cast it they will bite but stay with it, un less you are rally lucky
As far as bait Lady fish is number bait dead or alive any size just don't cut it up, leave it whole
and free line one Rod and on the other a balloon will make a great bobber to hold up a big lady fish
so from your lady fish to the float I would say about 4 foot down,
The Tarpon are so scattered it is almost better to blind drift, rather than trying to see them roll.
It is better to see them of course, but just get any where close and drift.
 

08/22/14 Tarpon Fishing is mostly about the upper harbor, Lady fish is the bait
 of choice. Live or dead, cut or whole, Toss them out and let it sit,
a good trick right now is to get a couple of lady fish, or lady fish and some big thread fins
troll them by the markers, get close as you can. about 3 miles per hour.

08/22/14 Tarpon Fishing the Tarpon are still all over from the 41 bridge to
colony point first thing in the morning, the DOA cal, paddle tail shad, like you would
use for Trout or Snook are the number 1 color well your guess is as good as mine,
every other person is using a different color. The bait buster is still doing well on hook-ups,
the New Fishin franks twichin trap, if you are fishing between colony and Fish-ville is rockin
the Tarpon,
Out in the holes are loaded with big fish, whole lady fish up 18 inches are doing great,
Top water full size Zara spooks, and The larger skitter walks are best light colors
like white or Chartreuse, Hard and slow is the way to work the top water lure, Lots of splashing
but not a lot of forward movement.
Ok surprise there are still some Tarpon in the pass, jigs or bait as you will, a nice last who-rah
for pass fishing this year.

08/01/14  Tarpon Fishing right now is a lot about smaller tarpon
under 100 pounds, lighter tackle and sneaky-er style of fishing, finding the
Tarpon early in the day near the mouths of the canals, of PGI is your best bet.
Get your boat on the flat between Fish-ville and colony point shut down, and
become a hole in the water. then scan the surface of the water until you see
Tarpon rolling. then either drift up to them or use your trolling motor to get within
casting distance, DOA bait busters or Terror eyes ,
another great lure would be 1/2 once Rat-L-Traps these have become the Tarpon catchers
of 2014, out of no where Rat-L-traps have caught as many or more Tarpon this Year as
the DOA, surprising but true. The slower you retrieve the better

08/01/14 Tarpon are still hitting the Bait busters, Storm swimming Shads,
the cool thing right now is they are liking top water lures as well, Now that is cool
to watch a Tarpon smash a top water plug is heart stopping fun. Spook full size,
the larger Skitter walk. Gliding rap, or wake baits of any kind. I anm going to pick the X_Rap
exterem action X-walk as best bet this week. The top water lures
are best when you see rolling Tarpon ok that was too simple, but the real info
is hard erratic splashing and STOP, pause for a 2 count, the work the heck out of it, then pause
The Tarpon are still thick here but each day a few fish head out, So we have another few weeks
still right now is good .
Try drifting or trolling bait fish, live or dead past marker 1 do not use too many lines out as
if the are there every rod, will get hit, and the will be Tarpon jumping everywhere. Really
I guess this is not a bad problem, but talk about a Chinese fire drill.

 

08/01/14 Tarpon mostly been a early morning bite good until 11;am maybe noon
the tarpon are feeding on Thread fins and Crabs. But the DOA bait buster is still the best
lures for them. If you want to head out after dark, the Tom Adams bridge, The 41 bridges
I guess you can just say 80 percent of the bridges from the Caloosahatchee to Engle wood
have tarpon at night, If you are going to fish tarpon on the beaches,
I would take every kind of bait I could find, then start at Little Gasprilla pass, then south
toward Boca. Look for schools of bait and of course rolling fish, then on the hill
I would mosey towards bull bay looking watching for small pods of Tarpon, get in front of them
and work back into the pods

07/22/14 Tarpon. they are eating lures I believe it is because you can cover
more water, keeping the lure working and keep looking the Trapon in the holes up in the harbor
have not been showing them-selves as much not a lot of rolling going on out there,
Lures which seem to be working right now are the DOA bait buster get a gold or root beer,
& a white or light color. the DOA swimming mullets same colors but they will go a little
deeper, Storm 4 or 5 inch swim baits again will give you that depth how ever they have a
paddle tail for a deeper pitch noise than the swimming mullet, mot that it is better just different
and that may make all the differeance.
 

The Live bait is a mixed bag of crabs, Thread fins or pin fish, try to get a little of each of them
The pin fish best under a float, the crabs need to stay moving, and I would free line the thread fins

07/11/14  The full moon is on this Sunday. You will find a lot of tarpon staging
around the passes getting ready for the last spawn. Late afternoon and evening feed
 are going to be very good, Crabs and thread fins are your best live baits,
as far as lure fishing the storm Swim shad 4 or 5 inches The color choice is variable,
 no one best color, have some thing light and one dark, changes by water color and cloud cover
The early morning along the beaches and just out side the passes the Tarpon are feeding again
on crabs & bait fish, this is the time for bait busters, green back white belly or root beer,
again changing with the conditions but cast the bait buster and slow steady retrieve about 3 feet
below the surface.
after this weekend the tarpon should be in the Harbor they are really slow to come into the
harbor as yet, but we are hopeful

07/01/14  I think you are going to see a lot more Tarpon moving towards the passes again
this next full moon is the last hurrah for spawning, With all of the bait fish along the beaches
they should be more consistent after this spawn, with their feeding habits. The Tarpon will be keying in
more & more on the bait fish Thread-fins or green backs. The spawn should take them
8 to 15 miles out into the gulf about 18 hours after they leave until they get back,
I think that would kill me 18 hours, sorry back to the Tarpon,
Once they get back it will be or should be a Harbor event, they should move up into
the holes and really start to feed to make up for the energy used spawning

06/26/14 Robert's Map
The next map is what Frank has heard compare & decide

6/26/14 Frank's Map

06/23/14  This map looks a little funky along the beaches. But that is because it
it going from great to good all along the length of S.W. Florida. The tarpon are moving North
and then coming back south. The bite is Crabs early until 9:am then switches back & forth between
Pin fish & Thread fins. DOA bait busters are the Tarpon candy right now, better than bait or anything
thing else along the beaches, take a couple different colors with you.
including a pink one, Purple, White & green and a root beer. One throw one color and your
fishin partner another color. straight retrieve no real jerking or jiggin required.

The middle of the Harbor 20 foot hole there is a lot of Tarpon but they are not showing
them selves. from the hole to the west wall sand bar, if you are using will have to weed through
lots of Sharks and big cats, but you will if you are willing to stick it out, get your Tarpon

a hole bunch of Small Tarpon in Edgewater lake, East spring lake, and the holes in the PGI
rim canal. this is Flying fishin heaven. Yes you can really catch a Tarpon here with a fly.
If you insist on using a Tarpon Fly, take your scissors and cut off 3/4 of it so it will be usable
keep just enough of the fly so you can still see each of the colors, get rid of the rest of it &
now it will work, strip pause , strip pause, sound like a bar I used to go to, but it is the pause
and the sinking, when you strip lift the tip of the rod, tiny split shot will help so the fly will
sink then shot towards the surface.    
..

  Capt. Chuck Jenks is doing great on Crabs,
Under a float about 5 feet. Cast it out and let it drft towards the Tarpon
dont be in a hurry to keep casting, and find moving water.
and cast up into the tide in front of the boat and let it drift back,
open the bail and let it have a little line at a time Dont leave the bail open too much.
 that can be bad if you hook up at that time.
Good luck and have fun out there.

06/13/14  Tarpon All spawning with the hill tide and the full moon. and that means
they should be eating crabs, but however I would head out to the bouys in the pass channel
and get some grunts or ?? fish throw something different, last night 6 boats hooked up,
and not sure what they were throwing but not many hook ups per boat, So different baits,
have some crabs but try for the wierd.
They are bunched in and around the pass but they should be moving up into the Harbor
in the next few days, I think the biggest problem is the lighting, Tarpon hate lighting,
for a big fish they are really wussy about thunder storms, So once the thunder starts
most often the Tarpon tend to go deeper. and the grunts will help when the Tarpon are deep,
if you are seeing them roll, you may want to stay     n

6/05/14

06/02/14
Tarpon from 5:am until 8:am and from 5 to 8 in the evening. Thes have been the better times
not convenient but better. Crabs fish them free line on one rdo and the other use a float
keep the one under the float moving, like reel in then drift it back a Carb sitting still in
not natural.

It is a full map, as the fish are really moving.

 Robert's report--05/26/14------ Boca the Tarpon are finally
 staying in the pass, No color jig seem to be the best, try different body styles
as well as colors, The main thing is get get deep, the closer to the bottom
the better your chance of hooking up is. If you are a bait fisherman
try crabs but again get closer to the bottom. The threafins still seem to working
working hill, crabs are the next best bet. A little bit of weight seems to be the
best bet when casting at the Tarpon on the hill.

 

05/24/14

    Capt Tim Johnson, say this is your best bets for finding Tarpon,
Thread fins are still the best
  But if you want to make sure you have the best chance,
 Take some Crabs with you small blue crabs are the best for casting at rolling Tarpon
but if you want to make a drift 6/0 light hook and a pass crabs is you best option.

Storm Swim bait or Buck tails are the best lures, light up pull and slow reel down,
but when they turn on, cast retrieve hang the heck on.

5/19/14 Tarpon. This week have moved out into the gulf to spawn, which happens each year. during the
hill tides which are a 2 tide day with the most water flow or currant, Tarpon do not need to live in full salt water,
but like Snook the eggs do not surive well in light salt or fresh water most of the eggs do not hatch or better said surive
in full salt most will hatch. So to insure the most eggs survive the head out into the gulf.
Now this trip into the gulf starts abut the full moon and on the new moon, they head out each evening and come back some time
the next morning staying in the passes until mid after noon. Crabs are also starting to spawn and make their way into the gulf
the mass migration of crabs makes them the best bait for Tarpon, PLEASE only take a few crabs, maybe 6 to 12 at a time
each crab you take because you want them is 100 that will not be there next year. taking a live well full of crabs is the same
as killing fish, what you need is a couple what you want is a waste and that is never a good thing. People are jumping up and down
about killing tarpon, but do not think about the food which brings them here. 

5/19/14 for this week we have 2 maps the 1st is Robert
the 2nd is from Captain Tom Fisher

    Capt. Tom Fisher Fishes for Tarpon in the upper Harbor and on the Beaches for Tarpon.
 Capt. Tom Advice the this weeks Tarpon hunt is Have a big boat for the wind, by Thursday the winds will be slowing down,
and while this wind is blowing know the limits of your boat, Fishin is about fun and getting hurt, So be careful.
When the wind backs off, Start looking for Schools of Threadfins, you will need a 10' or bigger net with 5/8 inch mesh.
 if you want to catch bait in deep water, the best thing is a Sabiki rig,
Tom likes a #6 hook or smaller and the green dot or bead seems to be the key.
Once you have bait, And you find the Tarpon how you approach them is key, try to see which way they are moving and get in front of them
Please do not get between a boat and a moving pod of Tarpon that boat got there first, let them have their shot & then take yours

Try a bait under a float 4 to 5 foot below the bobber and use the other free line.
Capt tom wishes you the best and good hunting / or fish hunting if you would like a trip with Capt. Fish as I call him click his picture or call
941-628-4687
here are the Capt. Tom's best picks for places to find Tarpon

   This Map is with the help of Capt. Ryan
   The holes and the sand bars just north of Pirate Harbor
  Capt. Ryan has been wackin the Tarpon, Capt. Ryan is using thread fish.
  casting at rolling Tarpon, Capt Ryan says the float is not as good as free line right now ,
but that will change soon.
 Capt Ryan has a back up plan for rough days or when you thread fins are hard to find and that is
a chunk of Mullet on the bottom. both work,
well but bottom fishing almost as if you were Shark fishin along the sand bar in about 6 feet of water not
 chasing the fish but waiting. Capt Ryan I and I talked when he will start moving out to the beaches,
he said almost any day, a couple of huge Schools
 of Tarpon have just moved in along the beach and in a couple days when they settle in,
the beaches are going to be loaded with chewing Tarpon
 Click Capt, Ryan's picture to go to his web site

      Map 05/01/14

Tarpon map 2013
On this page are Maps of where we have heard of Tarpon
 being caught or seen the dots show appropriate location.  
.                       
 white dot = Fair less than 50% Chance
 Yellow dot = Better 50/50 chance
 Red dot = Good really good chance   
The Tarpon are still here to play with, scattered all over the place, but the Rivers are where
the action is now, the holes in the Harbor or the beach still have some Tarpon but double
tough to get them to bite, DOA and Power bait swim shads are the ticket out there, but it is
100 casts to get a hook up.
If you head up the rivers cut bait or live bait, or the lures the Tarpon are holding in the
deeper bends of the Rivers and around the bridges or trestles.

7/9/13  The Pass is hot again Tarpon, The Tarpon have just dumped back into
the pass, the morning bite is ok, the after noon bite is incredible. Crabs , thread fins &
pin fish. try to have some of each, fish are primarily hanging along the edges, Here's
the key they are there in the pass, but could be right up by the inter coastal or all the way
to 5 miles out in the shipping channel. Spinning tackle is going to be your buddy here,
tie a 4 foot leader of 60 pound floro, then about a foot from the knot add a 1/2 to 3/4
once rubber core sinker, this will help hold the bait down into the currant. Keep in mind
when I say spinning, I mean 50 pound braid or heavier. No light tackle. There are still sharks
and you need to be able to land that fish.

7/1/13  Tarpon are or should be moving up into the Harbor with all this rain
The rain will bring them on into the Harbor & Rivers. they don't mind the fresh water.
watch for schools of river Shads, much like a fresh water version of white bait. And the
Tarpon munch them up. Now is the time to have your bait buster lure ready, You might
want to get a 3/4 once Rat-L-trap but make sure you bend the barbs.
Bomber 16 in the Chartres color is another one to have at the ready, but again flatten the
barbs, Flattening the barbs is about you not the fish, Tarpon have such a hard mouth
the barbs make not a lot of difference, but if you get a barb in your fingers and one in the
 Tarpon that is bad news. but with no barbs it is no big deal, Hook in - hook out.
 Let your lure go deep and work them back up. Oh and don't be afraid of trolling
Tarpon is a fish, and trolling is a great way to catch fish.

6/05/13

Tarpon Have left the Pass, Not to fear though, it is just the storms which have
moved them. For such a big fish, they are not very brave, the first time lighting strikes the
water, they haul out to deeper water, maybe they are just smarter than us. We are out there
fishin for them in the rain & wind, even lighting may not keep us in. After the first couple of
lighting strikes the Tarpon are 3 miles + out in the gulf. RUN forest run!
According to Robert, who if you are smart you listen to, The Tarpon fishin inside the Pass &
Harbor will be back in full catch mode by Saturday. Until them it will be hit or miss,
For the silver kings. The best bet is first light early dark thirty, or evening as the sun is setting,
the best places to look are just inside of the passes in the intercostals, or find a bridge after dark.
I think the bridges after dark would be my best guess as well,
Good luck happy hunting.

5/27/13

Pass fishin is the place to be, jigs are the bait I need, Crabs workin good out side
Keep the gulf just give me that bumpy ride.

Ok I was trying to do green acre's, theme song almost worked.
Tarpon are just not really anywhere if not in the Pass, beach fishin is ok,
Ambush them, No prisoners, Crabs & Thread-fins are the live bait of choice,
Big hammer tails with a Plain lead 4 once jig head, They are just rockin them on them.
 

Tarpon

Boca Grande Pass is the Place to be, jiggin is the bait for me, pass fishin is the place for me,
tarpon stretching out as far and wide, keep The gulf and give me that bumpy ride,
Ok I was still trying to do green acre's, theme song almost worked. not quite
Tarpon

5/17/13

Tarpon, Beach Passes and intercostals are the main concentration of Tarpon
Over the next few days the Tarpon should be moving back into the Harbor holes.
Crabs are still the number 1 bait, bait larger thread fins the size of your hand or bigger
are a close second. early morning for jigs is the best then switch over the bait. I would start
with fish/ Squirrel or thread fin, or larger white bait, Silver Trout or sugar Trout are a great
secret weapon right now. Not a really good Tarpon bait last year but doing much better this
Year. Bait busters or swimming mullet, or both good but no clear color of which is best,
I think they are trying to dial in what color is going to work, for right now we are selling
 every color on the wall. ,

/13

5/03/13

Tarpon Are heavy in the pass and along the beaches, early and late in the day are the best times
Mid day is still good, but when the sun is slanting, the bite is better. Often these fish will not
Chew, it is simple matter of The female Tarpon is really pretty, and he is thinking more about her
then filling his belly right now. but when they are done, hey you know a snack is what they will
be looking for. So just wait a bit they will feed soon. And oh yeah a little privacy please
no one likes a peeping tom.

 5/03/13

  Tarpon fishin late morning to mid day your best bet is going to be just off Bokeelia
 Jug Creek Shoals out side the bars, Thread fins and DOA lures best bet, If they get out to
16 20 feet of water consider a 3/4 once Rat-L-Tarp bend down the barbs of the hooks

Start the day in the pass is about Jigs and Squirrel fish, Drift by or over the schools
Mid day in the pass is tough fishin double tough, you will or should do much better inside
after 9 or 10 am

4/22/13
This Week the Tarpon really started to pick up and eat! The deep holes in the harbor
To Sanibel Island, The silver king are moving in. Over the week end we had some rain
and a little wind, But I think that just kept the water temp, Even While cold is no good
Hot can be just as bad. So D.O.A. bait busters, and Live Threadfins are doing well
IT is early and no telling, hearing a coupe stories of the old fashion MirrOlure the TT's
Getting blasted by Tarpon at cape hazes

  Tarpon right now I don't know what to think, they showed up just like Poof!! here we are.
 I think Tarpon season is here, and is only going to get better, the weather patterns are very much
like what they should be at the end of May not the middle of April. You are going to be hunting
they are scattered, the big problem is they are not really rolling much yet, a couple degrees warmer
and they will be easier to find.
I would try drifting with live thread fins under a bobber, and have another line with a small rubber core
sinker trying t get it down closer to the bottom, with out being on the bottom, tricky I know but trial
& error will make that hook up happen.

                                      Robert  My best tarpon guess places for 4/16/2013

Tarpon season this year, is going to be another early one,
Hopefully this year People will concentrate on having fun
and catching fish.

  Here are a couple of places where the Tarpon are starting to
  show up, The are no steady reports of catching, but there are some
 being caught mostly just see Tarpon rolling 

Tarpon map 2012 
 white dot = Fair
 Yellow dot = Better
 Red dot = Best       
                  In stock Pro-cure Lady fish scent  

Tarpon first thing in the morning are thick in the Pass, Then they seem to move out side
The beaches have Tarpon cruiseing them mid morning & late afternoon,
In the Harbor the Tarpon are thick, Both of the bars have Tarpon on them east & west sides
the Deep holes all have Tarpon, The are plenty OF Threadfins but they do not show themselves
until the tide stats coming in from the gulf, Thread fin best bait for the hole Tarpon
The Myakka River, El-Jo & the Peace River both have good schools of Tarpon
in the Rivers try to find cat fish and use small live ones with
the spines removed or chunks of Tail meat from the cats.
 

The massive amounts of fresh water coming down from the river is makeing it
Tough. But these are Reports in today From Captain Dan Latham.
SO this is the lastest info.

Crabs & threadfins seem to be the best live baits right now.
However if you are looking at river fish, i would have Catfish, either small live ones
or cut the tail into chunks. Keep in mind, if you are useing live catfish cut off the spines'
Safty first

6/30/12

Debby washed the Tarpon out of the Pass, But they are thick in the rivers,
and from what I hear the Tarpon have been cruising the beaches.
Thye reef off Alligator creek has a lot of Tarpon on it.

06/25/2012

This storm changes every thing, As soon as Debby passes we will get our maps
up-to-date, Right now it is all a guess.

Sorry but right now no way to know

It Has Been a strange Year Around here for Tarpon, But the weather this Year has been weird,
Captain's Like Dwayne French have been hookin up, But many more old school boats have not
been able to catch fish. So with the changes in the weather & the changes to Boca Pass itself.
The Pass is several hundred yards narrower, A lot of Guides are wondering why they can not catch
Fish, So they blame Captains like Dwayne Who catch Tarpon Every day, It has to be his fault.

Why don't Some Guides catch Tarpon & Captain Dwayne French does,
#1 he is better at it and works his butt off for his customers.
#2 You have to change techniques as the Tarpon Changes, Or the Tarpon Fishing changes.
 Let me explain it simple
If you do the exact same thing each time, and it does not work, Then you expect different results?
 Maybe you should take up cutting grass for a living and give up trying to be a Tarpon Guide.

So to the report the Tarpon in the Pass are still biting, but early bird gets the Tarpon,
some point in the morning they have been moving up onto the hill, inside But there was several large
Boats drifting around the same school of Tarpon for several hours and no Fish on.
So if you are on the hill looking for Tarpon< I would try to have some Crabs & Shrimp yes shrimp
Many people do not realize how many Shrimp are moving through the Pass every day.

Experiment with your bait and have a bait under a float, maybe one free line,
and have some rubber core sinkers, ready to put on to get your bait down, if the first two methods
don't work.
 

06/01/12
The Tarpon are starting to move around more, ever day more and more Tarpon
are leaving the pass, & instead of heading into the Gulf the are cruising the beaches
or heading up into the Harbor, It is just about that time, many of them have had their
 fun spawning, { I wonder do fish have as much fun doing that as we do?} ,  Any way All that means
is the Harbor & beach Tarpon fishing is going into full swing. The are still biting well
in the Pass for all you NASCAR fishin fans, But now you should be able to start looking
for the quiet time with just you and Your Tarpon. Remember cuddling a Tarpon is ok
But spooning with them is a little weird,

5 05/25/2012

Ok weird is holding true, The Tarpon are holding in the pass, I do not know why they are not moving in on to the hill
they should be but they are not. The beaches are quiet not many Tarpon cruising them, The Only Tarpon on the Beach
I have heard of is north of Gasparilla,
The Harbor really has little or no Tarpon in it, Like I say they are holding in the pass for some reason, And if you
 are not jiggin you are not catching fish,    ,

 05/07/212
 Jig are king in the pass, The jiggers are hooking up, Red or natural heads are the hot ones right now.
Live bait for Tarpon on the pan is doing well.
Tarpon has slowed up in the Harbor over the last few days, but it will be getting better again very soon

04/30/12

The pass is the story right now there are Tarpon in the harbor, but by far the largest
Groups are in the Pass. Early morning Hit the Pass from day light you have 2 or three hours to
Get jiggy, Then they are moving up onto the hill.

The Hill is inside of the Pass about where the intercostals crosses,
You cant miss it just look for a whole bunch of boats
going around in circles, the Captains scratching their heads with confused looks on their faces,
 trying to figure out how to hook up one of the Thousand 150 pound fish rolling and surfacing
everywhere but where they are.

The best to get one hooked up is to use the kitchen sink method,
throw every thing at them you have and when that does not work,
toss a big shrimp with just a little bit of weight split shot or rubber core sinker
depending on the tide,

04/26/12

Tarpon fishin has been good in the Harbor Thread fins are the best bait right now, But I would not trust that
Blue crabs hooked through the corner of the point is a great back-up Tarpon like any other creature may just get
in the mood for something different Plan B is always a good idea.
A few bigger fish 160or better are in the Pass. most are in the 60 to 100 pound range. Capt Dwayne has had a couple up to 190 pounds
in the Pass, But the majority of the Tarpon in larger number are still in the Harbor
I thnk the habor is the better hoice but hard to ishin the wind , lot going to the maykka

 

Hope the iwnds lighting did nnot run the Tarpon to deeer waters of the gulf the Tarpon do not klike the lighting other fish do not seems to care but Tarpo
will head out to 60 feet of water and hug the bottom until it all clears i just don make sense.

04/21/12

Lots of different reports, Lures is holding steady with the bait buster slicked up with
Pro cure Ladyfish scent, Around the bridges the Banan Bomber is the best,
Thread fins about hand size seem to be king of the Harbor holes. But Crabs are doing well
around the passes.
JIg fishin in the pass is kind of a toss up, Red head or Chartuse, The Green Tiger is a classic
But the berkely power tail shads are becomeing popular. Whaite tiger or ornage Tiger are
seeling quitely but staedy, So the hush hush colors for right now.s

04/11/2012

Yes the Tarpon are in the pass, Up harbor Tarpon is still going strong
 Bait fish seems to be the best bet Threadies or green backs,
I have heard of a few hooked on bigger shrimp. Cut bait is also doing well
whiting, Lady fish are both great bets.
Lures well they same as a while ago but we have in Stock the new
Lady fish scent from Pro-cure, put some on a bait-buster or a 9 inch Hogy
lure and hang on, it is hot, & it works,

03/31/12
It has really been booming, Tarpon are in,
The Harbor & biting, Lady fish, Bombers,
White bait or threadfins, Take your pick it is on. I had a hunch it was going to turn on.
Lots of folks getting their first fish. What a wild ride the last 3 days.

03/29/12

We went from a really good week to a fair start for this one, I have been waiting to change the map until I heard what
was, Going on the bad part was it slowed, I expect to have to do a new map, very shortly because as you see by the map
many fish have moved to the out side, into the gulf, This is a common occurrence before they head into the Harbor full tilt.

03/22/2012

Tarpon, Have been coming into Marco Island, Everglades city, and points south
very thick, The off shore reefs in 20 feet of water are holding lots of Tarpon
Captiva Rocks been fishable number of Tarpon, The Cape Coral bridge
has it's share of Tarpon right now, Night time is the best time.

When you are looking for Tarpon they are not rolling a lot yet,
but Free jumpers ar4e frequent, whether you are in the intercostals' or The Harbor

03/10/12

There more and more reports of Tarpon, These are there areas where Tarpon have been
hooked or landed, It is not quite time where you can target them, but these are the
best spots to get Lucky .

03/03/12
Bay shore pier has Tarpon rolling very morning
right now, good spot for land based fishing, or for boat.
Cape Haze has Tarpon working the bar & the reef.

 02/29/2012

Tarpon have been seen steady now for the last week on the near shore reefs
Sherman's & Helen's reef both have had Tarpon on them. If you think this is
strange. This is what normally happens each year as the Tarpon come from
all over the gulf for the spawning which takes place here.
being as they come from Texas, Mexico, Every where really this just makes sense
that the Off shore fisherman would see them first.
Over the next month or so. If you are fishing the gulf reefs, watch for the schools
Of Tarpon, you can set your course by them directly to Boca Grande Pass.
They travel in schools they way you would expect Dolphins to Travel
proposing across the surface. Then when they get to the close Reefs within
 15 miles or so only then do they start to mill around, You can see them rolling
while they feed and start looking for that Good Lookin Member of the opposite
sex to settle down with for the next couple of months and raise 50 or 10 thousand kids

Unless we have a cold front which takes the water temps down 5 degrees
there should be enough Tarpon in the Harbor by April 1st to go out and
reasonably expect to Target Tarpon & catch one,

If it is not climate change then the Gods have conspired to change all of the rules
15 years ago Tarpon did not show up until the 1st or 2nd week of May, No Tournaments
were held until after the 15th of May because there might not be Tarpon here Yet.

7 years ago it started to change. The Tarpon were showing the 3rd or 4th week of
April and in full swing by May.

Now we are looking for them to here in fishable Numbers by the 1st of April,
I don't care who you are this is getting weird !

02/28/2012

 Capt. Dwayne  Free Jump is what we call it when a Tarpon
launches itself into the air clearing the water completely,
 There are some tarpon doing this in the lower Harbor
A few free jumpers. The Cobia have been mixed up with the Tarpon

 My best guess to catch a Tarpon Right now would be in the middle of the Harbor
 Middle hole during a slack tide either early or late in the day,
when the wind & tide slack off. set up your gear, Thread fin or big Shrimp
on the hook , stay low in the boat and keep our eyes open for a rolling flash of silver
 once you seen it use your trolling motor to get to the spot. then cast out and just drift
  it is largely a matter of "are you lucky" or not at this time.

2/05/2012\

Capt Dwayne -----I have seen Tarpon free Jump
In the holes out in the harbor this week, and there have
been a few sneak into the Pass, I believe these are resident fish
waiting for the travelers to show back up. I will be keeping
an eye out for More Tarpon to appear and I will let you know.
I am getting booked up for this year, I think people are seeing what
I am seeing, the start of an early season, If you want to catch your
Tarpon of a lifetime check out my website. For more info at
monstertarpon.com or just click the button .

While there are some Tarpon here all year, these are small juvenile fish.
 Even with Catch & release there is some accidents and in order to keep
 The Tarpon populations healthy I am not going to promote the fishing of these smaller
 Tarpon,
 One thing I have learned about Tarpon is that the vast percentage of the Fish which return here
 Year after year were born here. If anything happens to the small fish We would see an end to the
 Tarpon fishing as we know it. So if you find them be content to catch one or two.
Then leave them alone, to grow up breed make lots of babies. & keep the Tarpon
 coming back to Charlotte Harbor for our kids & Grandkids to share in the wonder
that is Tarpon fishing Charlotte Harbor.

Maps will be posted as soon as the adults show up
Yellow dots mean fewer number of fish, you will have to work for it.
 Red dots mean it is hot, & you should hook up.

02/05/2012

Capt Dwayne Now would be a good time to start dusting off
the Tarpon Rods.
a few fish are being spotted up-River & around the bridges,
even out in the open Harbor.
With the warm winter we are going to see an early Tarpon event this Year.
 If you want to try the Tarpon up-river use a chunk of fresh caught Catfish
let it lay out free line with the currant.
while many of these fish are in the 30 pound range,
there are 100 pound plus fish mixed in with them,
so get ready with a little luck, there is a great day waiting for you.
I have run many a early season Tarpon Charter trips up-river
and you never really know how they will turn out.
All I can say is that this looks to be one of the best pre-season bite I have ever seen.
Capt. Dwayne 941-628-2348

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