SW Florida Tarpon Fishing

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just heading home from the Fort Myers area for some relaxation and some fishing. The Tarpon fishing which is usually red hot this time of year was very slow. Me and the guys Jimmy and Mike had 3 charters with 3 different captains and went 1 for 2. The only fish we got, Mike from JJ Bittings landed in Boca Grand Pass.

My wife joined me after the guys left and we rented a boat for 5 days. I was hoping Ruth would have a opportunity to at least witness a tarpon being fought and on Thursday we got that opportunity. We were anchored up fishing with many other boats lined up along the Gulf side of Captiva Island. Around 930 in the AM the next boat over to our left over jumps one, chases it down and releases it. Around 1030 the next boat over to our right jumps one and after a short battle the fish went under their boat and boink, it was gone.

It's around 11 I'm wondering if we are going to get our shot and one of the spinning poles with a crab on it goes off. I hand the pole off to Ruth to hold on to while I clear the other lines and pull the anchor. She is looking down at the reel nervously while this Tarpon is peeling 50 braid off of it like it was in free spool. First run was probably 150 yards or so till I could get the boat started to chase down this fish and gain some line. I got back 75 yards or so and he came up for a breath and took most of it back. Fought him for 15 minutes and he started running right towards an anchored boat. I tried to put more heat on him to keep him from that boats anchor and boink.

Glad we at least had a shot at one fishing on our own and Ruth now has Tarpon Fever.

[shrimpman steve]

Very nice. I kept your brother busy on the obsession while you were gone.

Let me know when your ready for the photo lesson :)

Glad you had a nice trip

[dfish28]

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[DEEP POCKETS]

Nice report Gerry, sounds like you and the mrs had a lot of fun and gotta love tarpon fishing...

[fishingfool]

Gerry I fish with a captain out of Stump Pass marina,Pelagic Charters in Englewood.He is very close to Boca Grande Pass and a great captain.i fish with him all winter.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks guys. I love it down that way and now that the wife wants to catch another Tarpon so I'm sure we will get down there again.

We chartered with Matt Mitchell who is not a pass guy and then with Waylon Mills who is the prototypical pass guide.

[ReelErIn]

Gerry I've been out to Boca Pass 3X's in the last few days Nada so far.
Hope it will turn on gonna fish Sat. night under Rt.41 Bridge???

[Gerry Zagorski]

Not a typical season down there this year from everyone I've talked to. We got one in the pass, which is usually best on a strong outgoing "hill" tide and the other 2 were on the Gulf side of Captiva about 2 miles south of Redfish Pass.

Hope it turns on for you Wille.

[Jigman13]

My buddy was down there 2 wks ago for 5 days. Tarpon fished 3 times. They managed to land 9. He landed 3 or 4 with the biggest being an estimated 130 lbs and took over 2 hours to land. They had to tie a rod and reel set up to the main set up at one point. He got most of it on video with his gopro. Can't wait to see it! Fish only jumped 4 times at first. Rest of the battle was a dog fight.

[bigbuck24]

My sons and I were in Boca Grande 5/3 & 5/4-fished with Willie Mills a traditional Pass guy.Because it was our first time,we were in awe of the thousands of jumping and rolling tarpon and many other forms of sealife.In 3 trips only managed 1 landing,several loses and hugh sharks that were chasing everything.We could'nt fish at night due to the cold front and rough conditions,but have watched his websight and seen many nights where they landed as many as 11 !He has also won 2 tournaments recently.We will go back,but probably will opt for a site and cast to type charter.