The tarpon grind is in full effect, as anglers chase the silver every day and dream of a 100-pound tarpon on fly.
Tarpon have taken over the Florida Keys and the hunt is on. Weather has been improving from a windy March and the fish are enjoying it as well.
We’re still seeing the majority of fish collecting in the backcountry. We’ve only spent a few days oceanside this week looking for large schools pushing out of channels. The best angling, at least for myself, has still been bayside. The calmer the wind is, the farther north I go, searching for fish in muddy waters to even the odds.
The fish of the week was taken with a dark fly down town by longtime friend and client, Jerry. Fishing for years for a giant tarpon, we played with this dinosaur for 25 minutes before a bull shark showed up, forcing us to break it off. Right from the hookset she jumped and continued to rush the entire fight. Jumping over eight times, it was one of the hardest, wildest specimens I’ve seen yet.
FISH TIP
Sharks are known to prey upon tarpon during the fight. If a shark shows up, help the tarpon survive by quickly bringing the fish to the boat and cutting the line as close to the hook as possible.
FISH FACT
Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water by rule, unless in pursuit of a state or world record using a tarpon tag purchased before fishing begins.
