Tarpon, Tarpon, Tarpon...

They're on everybody's mind right now including ours. With the new moon falling perfectly over the long Holiday weekend we were certainly looking forward to getting out. The only issue would be the storms. With 60%-80% rain chances each day everyone fishing had our fingers crossed but as luck would have it we got out for 2 solid days.

Brad's hot hand hooked 2 of our 3 fish on Friday night and got a 100 pounder to the boat for pictures... 

 Images Of Boca

With this year's Boca trip's in the books, figured I'd put up a few miscellaneous shots.

Tournament officials...not a bad job to have...

Quittin Time Tarpon...

Brad and I each spent Friday afternoon at work, both scrambling to tie up loose ends and fulfill our primary obligations so we could hook up afterwards and fish Tarpon. Gear was prepped the night before, so we met up at the dock, threw a few beers on ice and shoved off.

Before too long we had sailed a fish, then another. Brad hooked up again and we fought it for awhile, trying to take our time and land the fish for a few pictures. We got that accomplished and even hooked up a few more before calling it a night.

Do we really have to go back to work now?

 Tarpooned...

My buddy Edwin is a big redfish guy, and a very good one at that. He fishes many of the local area tournaments and holds his own rather nicely. Spending all the time on the water he does, he's hooked a few Tarpon, but hasn't had the chance yet to duke it out to the end and see who's left standing.

Unseen Pictures

I know it’s been quite some time since the Salty Fly tournament put on by my buddy Sam Root of Salty Shores. It’s been a very crazy few months.

After going through some pictures and finding them I figured I would share them. These aren't the best pictures but I don't really use photoshop and could use some photography training...

Spear Fishing Report 5-20

My buddy Joe was diving this past Saturday in State waters out of Pass-A-Grille and speared some nice ones.

Joe had a great day overall, shooting a 34 inch Amberjack and a 37 inch Gag Grouper. It's surprising he found an Amberjack of that size in those waters, but it's been a strange year in general. Calm Seas, sunshine and fish in the cooler. Cant ask for too much more.

Fish for Trout

It’s been a windy month so far. Grouper is the hot bite right now, but the option to fish in the deeper water of the bay has been dictated by the constant gusty conditions, which basically meant I didn’t do too much grouper fishing. As with life and fishing, there should always be a backup plan.

Boca Grande, 5/7

I had a last minute opportunity to jump on Nathan Austin's boat this past Saturday in Boca Grande and I'm glad I did. As usual Nathan put us in position on every drift.  At the end of the night we had hooked over 10 fish and flew 8 of them. We'll be back down on the next moon for 2 nights.

Splish, splash...

Like Night and Day...

I took off on Good Friday and managed to get out twice this past weekend. The first day we fished grouper with pinfish and threadfins and that resulted in the usual shorts, close calls, a couple keeper gag's and whole bunch of break-off's in the process. Another smoker Kingfish was in the mix too and a nice one at that, maybe 20-25 pounds. Shame on us for losing him at the gaff, but we redeemed ourselves catching a keeper flound later in the day just tooling around.

Back at the dock...

Luck Of The Draw...

Brad and his daughter Lexi got out with me yesterday for a day of grouper fishing in the bay. On the water, Lexi's stock has been rising lately. She had a great day on trout a few weekends ago with her Dad and Captain Todd Foucher, so this week it was time to step it up a notch and try to hook up with some bigger fish.

We got set up on some different structure and soaked belly hooked threadfins for most of the day. At the end of the bite we had plenty of bigger fish break us off, but also caught mackeral, bluefish, numerous short gags, a couple close one's we threw back, and one keeper gag. Not a record haul, but fun nonetheless, and Lexi got to battle quite a few fish herself. When she felt how hard the gags pulled she was afraid they were going to pull her in. 

On our last attempt, we put a few flat lines out which got attention from mackeral, and then one serious drag screamer we had mistaken for a shark until we saw the big silver flash down below. Kingfish! And a big one at that. Brad gaffed the fish and we called it a day...needed to get that baby on ice!

Smoker Kingfish...

Redfish In The Roots...

So far this spring my redfishing has been less than stellar on the southshore of Tampa Bay. I've been finding a few slot fish here and there, but also plenty of rat red's have been figuring into the equation all too often. Finding those mid to top of the slot fish have been hard to come by, for me at least. 

I got out solo last night for a few hours and poked around some old spots off the beaten path that I haven't fished consistently in some time.  Boat traffic is minimal there and the little there is doesn't seem to put the fish down.  It's a deeper backwater area, and if you pulled up you'd swear to just keep on moving to find something that looks more attractive.  The tide was near slack, so I slipped in and pitched tailhooked pinfish under corks for a little while.  With a little patience I found those coveted top slot fish in due time, getting broke off by a couple before landing a few up to 26-1/2". They're definitely in there, and I can only imagine what could be done on a better tide with better bait.  Think I've found what I've been looking for, and I'm gonna try and stay on these fish for the next few weeks until the Tarpon trips kick into high gear. 

Just Like The Good Old Days

The last few weeks I've been poking around here and there, just trying to get a feel for this spring in my neck of the woods on the south shore.  By most accounts the bite has been pretty slow.  Bait isn't predictable on the flats yet, but some markers are holding threadfins and greenbacks.  Short redfish abound and there's always trout to be found, but the big question this year relates to the snook.  How will they show this year?

Snook reports have been spotty so far.  Some areas are doing well and some are still way off, so we'll see how the year unfolds.  Locally, our south shore fish took a serious battering from the 2010 freeze and are still in pretty bad shape overall.  But they are coming back.  In my case, I got a tip that a healthy bunch of fish were exactly where you'd expect to find them them right about now.  My buddy Gary and I tried our hand this past weekend and can confirm they were indeed there.  With frisky threadfins and minimal chumming, we did pretty well with snook from 24"-34". 

Gary and a slot fish...

Trout or Tarpon?

Report by Rich Morgan Jr, Photos by Josh Maitland

The South Shore Anglers Club was putting on a longest trout tournament with proceeds going to Florida Diabetes Camp. The captains’ meeting was held the night before at Beanies, with an impressive turnout. I had a great time chatting with the people I already knew as well as meeting others that I didn't know.

Mike and Josh, my fishing partners for this tourney, were discussing a game plan. I could only fish until noon. Since the rules were that you could fish anytime after the meeting, we decided we would go out early to make the run to the Skyway to get bait, and while there we would see if the reports of Tarpon at the bridge were true.

Poor Girls Tournament - Islamorada

A few weeks ago my fiance set off for The Keys with a few of her girlfriends to fish the Poor Girls Sailfish Tournament in Islamorada. The girls love it down there. They all fish and dive, and they make the trip a few times every year to fish some of the ladies dolphin tournaments together. In 9 years they've never missed a mini-season either. 

I'll admit I'm always a little jealous when they go and I don't. After all, who doesn't love the Keys? Nonetheless, it's always explained to me that these are 'girls trips'. How's that for a role reversal, guys?  The women leaving us to go fishing! I think it's great, and in reality I'm very fortunate to have a better half who loves the Florida outdoors just as much if not more than I do. 

The girls have always done well down there and have many photos to prove it, not to mention a cache of gift certificates and prizes from placing in previous tournaments. 

Just take a look at this catch.  It certainly paid a few dividends at the scale.

IOP fishing Report from Tina Brookshire Vaughn

Social media seems to have taken over the way we do things as a society today. This form of communication has helped many a business, website, cause, and charity-you name it, the internet and social media have now become a way of life. Especially due to the fact that almost everyone around is using a Droid processed phone or I-Phone. It’s almost to the point that we can’t escape computerized communication.

With that said, I have had good and bad experiences with social networking sites over the years; mostly positive experiences, but some issues have occurred in the past that have left a bad taste in my mouth. In the long run, the pros outweigh the cons. An example of a pessimistic experience turning into a positive experience is as follows: I had made a statement on a networking site one day that seemed to upset a “friend” I didn’t even know. This person seemed to upset a few of my other friends as well (to put it lightly), but the first person to defend my point of view was a young lady named Tina Brookshire Vaughn. Someone who didn't know who the hell I was, defending me and putting her own name on the line was respectable and an honorable thing to do. Social Networking at it’s best.

Since that experience, I contacted her to give big props for her justification of my post. During my contact with her, I asked her for some pictures of her fishing adventures and some brief reports, just the basics, because I knew she fished, and was out of state in South Carolina. I figured since she had taken the time to put some pictures up on the web previously, what would it hurt to email me some? Knowing those earlier pictures were somewhat old, and that the site needed fresh material, she was going to get with me the next time she had the chance to fish and come up with a timely story.

The Fishing Heats Up

Well, since I’m not much of an offshore fisherman, and the fact that the gag grouper are closed in Federal waters, the main thing on my mind is the negative low tide fishing we enjoy in the Tampa winters.

With the exception of some straggler snook that have been found in a few spots, the flounder, redfish and trout are abundant, and are en fuego. This fact is keeping many anglers in our shallow waters of the bay until water temperatures warm up, and our big tarpon, drum and grouper are back in town and eating.

Since the weekends are my and many others main time to fish, somebody who has the fish patterned on a weekly basis has more information than myself. That’s basically why I stay in touch with Jason stock. A quick call or email and I have all the information that I need to put up a quick report.

Not much has changed since his last call. Big redfish, yellow mouth trout and “dinner plate” sized flounder are being hooked from Tampa Bay to Venice by skiff, kayak, and on foot. Basically the Captain is sticking with what has been working. Why change? The “flutter” technique (as he calls it) with DOA Cal paddle tail soft plastics on quarter ounce DOA jig heads have been producing these fish. The color of choice is Golden Bream, but I have found that when the fish are biting, just about anything will do; Loves Lures tandem combos, DOA Shrimp with or without a popping cork, GULP! Scented baits-like I said, just about anything. Tailor the lure to your fishing by trying different colors of lures and jig heads, as well as weights. Usually something will entice a bite, eventually.

Trout Season Opens Strong

Trout season opened January 1st in the south zone and good reports are all around indicating the winter and spring fishing should be excellent.  I made it out on New Year's Day with a few buddies, and can confirm the action is pretty good.  We caught north of 70 fish and easily got our 3 man limit of 12 keepers on DOA Cal shad tails paired with 1/8 oz. jigheads, and Love Lure's tandem rigs on 1/16 oz. jigheads.  The Love Lures slightly outfished the shad tails but the DOA's held their own.  Most of the action was in 2-4' over dark bottom.

Limit...

You Never Know When It's Going To Happen To You

Negative Approach

I’m not much of a kayak fisherman. In fact, I have only been on a kayak twice, both times fishing the flats. Never caught a fish out of a kayak yet either. Maybe one day. Not owning one and not seeing myself buy one in the near future, knowledge is and will be lacking of the kayaking fishing experience. Sure, I’ve seen tons of pictures of people in tucked away fishing holes that most boats can’t get to. Pictures of huge fish being caught, lots of videos of dedicated kayakers catching kingfish and tarpon off the local beaches. I am not against or biased towards paddling by any means, I am just not equipped for the experience. Even though the ability to be on the water with no noise, no people, great fishing and our beautiful fishery just surrounding you has to be a relaxing and invigorating experience, I just don’t have the gear and prefer to use a boat; except in the wintertime. I wade the Tampa flats a good bit in the winter. A kayak would really help me reach some better potholes but to be honest, money for other gear is needed.

Even though my knowledge and experience (or lack thereof), has very little benefit to you as an angler that may want to know more about paddling to some nice fish, I figured some reports from a reputable guide and some generalized information of what and how the yakers are catching fish would be helpful.

I called Captain Jason Stock and basically asked him if I could get some reports from time to time. He was cool with it so some reports and advice will be on Inshore Insider periodically.

Fall Grouper Fishing in Tampa Bay

It’s that time of year again. Fall. The bait flees the cooler waters of the flats and hunkers down at the bridges and markers. The tarpon have left town, with our waters in the mid sixty degree mark, and the redfish are schooling up in the troughs, potholes and back waters of Tampa Bay. Trout are out of season (and of course biting great), and the cold weather gear is being dusted off for those cool early morning boat rides to our favorite fishing destinations.

Fall also means great grouper fishing, especially the Gag grouper in Tampa Bay. With the first credible cold front of the year here and gone, the grouper bite has been on fire in the cooler water, with many lucky anglers filling up their coolers relatively easily. Reports of big grouper are being told on all the fishing forums, newspaper columns, TV shows and early morning weekend radio.

Techniques used have varied from trolling to bottom fishing; in some cases people are even catching them on deepwater docks. All have been producing nice fish.

I felt bad for this Fish

So I harvested him...

The Trip that won’t be forgotten

All photos by Nick Angerosa and Rainey Oelkers

I had been hanging around with Nick at the Marina a little bit recently, drinking some cold ones. Other than having some brews in a great setting, helping him look over his 1989 restored Aquasport was the reason we were there. Beer was not enough to keep us at the marina, especially while getting eaten up by the bugs. Checking to make sure everything was in top shape for the upcoming new moon tarpon fishing was the agenda.

There was a small water leak going into the hull that had Nick perplexed, so the both of us took a look after a trip one night, then checked it out on the rack another night, and took the boat on the water to finally pinpoint the very small leak that has a perfectionist like Nick consumed. There were a few small leaks coming from the huge livewell and it’s plumbing, and a very small leak from a pin sized hole in the bilge area. All was well after the fixes were made by Nick.

Tarpon feeding frenzy

I finally got a chance to take a good friend out fishing, Captain Todd Foucher. We used to fish together on his boats when he would scout for upcoming charters, or just wanted to be on the water, but it had been a long while. Todd got out of the charter business to pursue a more lucrative venture, which has worked out nicely for him, but knowing he didn’t get to fish all that much, this trip was way overdue. The fishing business is a tough business and although Todd was still running a bunch of trips before he stopped, the love for the job was gone. Last time I had talked to Todd, we talked about getting out on some tarpon, so I gave him a call on a Thursday and we made plans to fish the outgoing tide on Saturday.

Arriving at my place at two (right on time as always, pisses me off, I’m usually five minutes late), we threw our gear in the boat and headed to the ramp. Dropping the boat in was quick and easy at that time of day, and we were swiftly on our way to catch bait.

The big threadfins were not on the usual markers, so we concentrated on the smaller whitebait and pinfish on the flats, later on the search for pass crabs would start. After chumming up and successfully netting our bait we rode out to the spot where the fish have been chewing.

Upon arrival, we found what we were looking for. Tarpon feeding and lot’s of them. The silver kings were in town and ready to throw down. After setting the anchor in between some fellow anglers, we were in a great position to catch a fish. Tarpon were all around the boat, and sight casting was the key. On my second cast, I must have had the bait right in front of the fish at just the right time; my braided line flew off the spool, after flipping the bail, it was fish on.

Sea Pro’s got the Mojo

I had just gotten back from Key Largo. Literally. The family and I left at seven in the morning and we were back by twelve. The car was parked in the driveway, barely unloaded, and the boat prep began. The plan was to meet with Rich around two so we could catch the good outgoing tide. I really wanted to get some weekday tarpon fishing in, especially with four days left on my vacation, and the boat hadn’t been run in almost two months. Besides, the family had spent so much time together, we were just about sick of each other. Time to go.

First, a little background information. Our vacation in Key Largo was a family trip. Swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, grilling out, catching local bars and restaurants as well as sightseeing were on the agenda. No fishing. The irony is hilarious. Here we are in fishing paradise, never having fished these islands before, and no fishing for me. I didn’t even bring the boat, but brought one fishing rod just in case. I cast out off a few docks just so I could say I fished in Key Largo, but this was a family trip, which was fine with me. Needing some rest badly, this was a great vacation even without chasing the trophy fish of the Keys. Everyone had a good time.

Four Crabs and Three Fish

Nick and I had the plan in place. It was time for another short evening trip. We didn’t even have to leave work early. A late hill tide, crab flush and fairly calm seas was the recipe for tarpon, at least in our minds.

After meeting up at the marina at five thirty, we loaded up what little gear is normally brought for our “short trips” and moved out as quickly as possible. After heading out of the channel, Nick and I quickly figured out the plan for calm seas was out. The bay wasn’t filled with white caps, but the rollers were like being in a washing machine, spaced out and with no particular pattern. The tide was moving out fast and the west sea breeze had kicked in. These conditions are par for the course when we fish. It never fails, but if successful, the ride is worth it. If not, you’re all wet.

Following an uncomfortable ride we make it to the bridge and start looking for crabs. Having no bait is a bad feeling, so we scoured the waters for a few pass crabs to start fishing with; more would float by later. After agreeing that four was the magic number to start fishing with, the dip nets were out and the four crabs we needed had their claws removed and were in the livewell.

The boat was set up to account for the wind and tide, and made for a great drift through the weedline, covering major ground. My first cast was out, taking the pass crab for a ride through the rough water, further out than I thought. Next thing I know, line is pulling off the spool and ripped through the skin on my thumb, barely allowing me to close the bail. After closing the bail with a bloody thumb, the battle began.

Mission Accomplished

It had been a while. A long while since my good friend Mike and I had been out fishing. He had heard all my tarpon stories at work, and wanted to do battle himself, so myself  and co-worker Chad decided it would be our mission for the day to do just that; put him on his first silver king.

The day started off just like all others. Bait was caught at out favorite markers and off to the Skyway we went, ready for what should have been great action, being a weekday hill tide. Chad and I figured the crabs should be flushing well and the lack of fishing pressure would give us free reign to do what we wanted. The bridge was ours.

A Day at the Beach

Pictures and Report by Rich Morgan

I wasn't planning on fishing this weekend, but I got a text from a fishing buddy asking if I was fishing this weekend. I told him I hadn't planned on it and asked what he was doing; and he said he was thinking about doing some tarpon on the beach and said he had room for one more, so I took him up on the offer.

We launched early at the south ramp at Coquina beach, got threadfins at the bridge by the pass quicker than expected, and we were off. Where to, we didn't exactly know, as we were both fishing unfamiliar waters. Beach fishing for tarpon was a first for both of us, but we knew they were running the beaches from all of the reports on the net and talking to other crazed tarpon addicts such as ourselves.

We went out about a half mile from shore and started cruising parallel to the shore looking for any signs of life when we spotted a school of happy Silver Kings.

“Economy Battle”

After my weekend camping trip in Homosassa Springs, Nick and I had planned a mid afternoon tarpon trip on Memorial Day. I was excited as I hadn’t been out on his boat in a long time, at least for tarpon. Last year we went out on a bunch of tarpon trips, some memorable and many we would like to forget. This year both of us had been pretty busy and could not get our plans to mesh. We met up at Shell Point Marina, where his boat, the “Green Machine” as I call it, is stored.

After loading up our gear we headed out to get some bait from the usual markers. Threadfins were what we were after and we found them in short order. Nick drove the boat around the marker as I tried to get the wind to my back for a decent throw. Today the seas were fairly rough as usual, with a stiff sea breeze. I had one decent throw for enough bait to fish with, but both Nick and I like to have enough to chum with. For me, my streak of “one hit wonder” net throws was over. No pancakes today. More bait was needed for chum. You never know what will come around when blood is in the water. With the wind and tide making it difficult, Nick decided to anchor up. I gave the net to him with my arms wearing out (I need to start working out again), and in one toss we were ready to go. The anchoring was necessary but his throw still made me feel like a greenhorn. Oh well. A problem was then discovered. The gas light was blinking.

Fishing with Captain Rachel Nobbe-Cato-5-27

Finally, the start of my five day weekend. Memorial Day is always an extended holiday for me-just about every year. This holiday weekend, camping with the family was the plan, but first I had to get tarpon off the brain. The May full moon was Thursday the twenty seventh, my first day off. I wasn’t due to go camping until Friday. Why not go jump a tarpon or two before the trip?

My only flaw in this plan was I had no one to fish with. That never stops me, but tarpon fishing is always more entertaining with a partner in crime. I had called all the usual fishing buddies to no avail. Everyone was working Thursday, but not Friday, and on Friday I would be heading to Homosassa Springs to camp. Luckily, I received a message from Captain Rachel Nobbe-Cato earlier in the week; we both had free time so we made plans to meet up on Thursday at eight in the morning.

Thursday came along and I was helping Rachel load up the boat at eight. Yes, I was actually on time for once.

Drifting the Pass

By Nick Angerosa

We met up with my buddy Nate and his oldest boy last night in Boca.  We had an absolute blast, as always.  We got out to the Pass a little early and observed.  Lots of fish in the Pass early and boats were hooking-up, so we got in the game...

Recap of Fishing the First Hill Tides in Tampa Bay

I was so excited for the annual tarpon migration to Tampa Bay this year, especially after going over in my head all the fish that were lost last season. After being on a boat that landed a targeted tarpon on April 27th, the true excitement began; planning days off of work to make the right tide, checking weather and getting my gear ready. It was time.

Anyone who has fished for tarpon seems to be addicted, and for good reason. Landing a one hundred and fifty pound fish is quite an accomplishment, plus, these fish are only in our local waters for a few months. Preparation and planning is a main part of this kind of fishing, as I have discussed before. You will only get so many shots at the mighty king each year. Part of catching tarpon is luck, keeping the hook in a huge tarpons mouth is difficult to say the least, but I feel skill is the main factor. Being in the right place at the right time with the proper bait and equipment is extremely important.

During the first hill tides of May, I expected the tarpon to be in their normal haunts, and was not surprised to see them rolling around, feeding on threadfins and crabs. I was in the right place, at the right time with the normal baits. My luck though, is a different story. I have still not landed a fish this year, but had my share of battles with the king. Break offs and thrown hooks are my story, but the boats I was on were bringing in tarpon, which is always exciting to say the least.