Tarpon Fishing has been on now for about the past 3 weeks in the Boca Grande area. Although the weather has been less than cooperative to say the least. I have fished further up Charlotte Harbor over the past few weeks than at any time in my career. With several days spent about 15 miles up river. The technique has been to locate free jumping tarpon and set up long drifts in the area. Typically finding the bait pods and birds and putting that together with a free jumper would result in a couple of bites per day. Believe me when I tell you it takes a lot of mental fortitude to fish all day for 1 or 2 bites. There has been a big school of tarpon numbering about 5000 that have been moving in and out of the pass. A combination of factors including bull sharks, gin clear water, low water temps and untypical weather, have contributed to these tarpon not holding long in the Boca Grande Pass. However like magic these fish will get in there and stay and that could happen any day including tomorrow.
I have a couple of openings left in May and a Couple left in June so if you want to go tarpon fishing call me, and I will give you the short list of available dates.
Snook fishing this spring from Fort Myers, Pine Island, and into Charlotte Harbor was off the charts. This was the best fishing I have seen in at least 7 years. I had several days that felt like I was in a time warp and fishing back in the 80’s. There was one day particularly where I spent a good 2 hours with a couple of clients who stayed doubled up on snook. We caught 12 fish over 10 pounds and another 20 or so inside the slot, with not one undersized fish. The best thing about that day was fishing a spot I had never fished in my life because of all the boats in the area and the late start I got with my clients. Moral to the story sometimes you should take the blinders off and take a look around instead of just running straight to your favorite fishing spot. These snook where obviously migrating to the passes and we chanced up on them in a pot on an island.
Look for me to be tarpon fishing only for the next 3-4 months, and for everyone who is interested tarpon fishing continues well into the summer months when the tarpon move back into the harbor and feed until the first hint of winter. Some of the best tarpon fishing of the year is July-September
Capt Andy Boyette
1-888-880-0006
www.gofishcharters.com
www.tarponcharters.com
