Tarpon and HOLY ????????? Bat Man!!!

[Capt Bob]

saw a lot of Mullet in the canal so I figured Mr Poon would be around and I wasn't dissappointed!

Went 4 for 4 on Tarpon around 4-1/2 ft long, took my DNA samples for the FWC boys and sent them all along their merry way.

Moons coming up full at this point, seas are still very choppy from the strong ENE wind and the canal isn't its glassy self...my last Pinfish is getting very nervous so I get ready thinking I'm into Tarpon #5

Well I'll never know...float goes down , I rear back, set the hook and the line is sizzling of my Calcutta 700, 30# test at full drag is dissappearing faster than a cold Hogs Breath beer on a 100 degree day...down the canal out over the flats and I still have no idea what hit the bait...then the line goes slack and I reel in a lot of 30# test which has just gotten replaced with 50 as it was all abraded from its trip across the flats


Ahhh,,,just another day in Paradise

[kellerl2]

Capt. Bob, I Love your reports. I read them every time you post, I’m from PA and in the dead of winter it sure warms the heart, we had bad February and March. My wife and I are here in Islamorada for 2 more weeks. We towed our 19’ CC bay boat and have been fishing for the past week. I have been chasing tarpon with the fly rod, have not boated any yet but have been having a great time. I have been seeing tarpon everywhere, most times they will not even look at my offering, but I did get 3 takes on Saturday and only jumped one, missed the other two completely. I tried pinfish at the Tea Table with no luck. What a great place to live, your very lucky to be here.......keep the reports coming....Thanks,,Larry

[Capt Bob]

I really do believe I live in an amazing place, I will be the first to admit I had to make some major sacrifices to move here, but there comes a time when one has to make some major life choices. I'm pushing 58 and my father passed away at 59 ( the doctors kept him alive on machines for almost two years , and that's not going to happen to me) and my two brothers , both older, passed away at 51 and 53, so I've learned that there really may not be a tommorrow so today is a very important day And it's not a bad thing to wake up every day in a very beautiful place and live it one day at a time. Now I'm a major leap upward when it comes to the tough side over my brothers so I don't anticipate an early demise, but its not gonna stop me from appreciating this place each and every day..

Now as for the Tarpon, break down and get a dozen big shrimp, Tarpon love them, also get some crabs, and float them both without weight near the bridges, Tarpon, and big Permit love them as well, flies ...try a big long orange feather type, that seems to be a real favorite with the guides around here.

theres lots of snappers to test your tackle as well around the poles and bridge bases, and picking your days don't give up on the reef, for Yellowtail( bring lots of chum) and grouper and others as well. AND a little further out all the Dolphin you could ask for..Sunday Am I was loafing at a local t-shop after stuffing myself at the local breakfast joint and ended up invited on a commercial trip to get Dolphin for a local restaurant...we tooled out a little after nine am and were back at the dock right at 1:30pm

We kept 50,(well within the limit by a long ways and all that the restaurant orderd) and anything under 20lbs was dehooked and released...the smallest keeper was 29lbs and the largest just topped 41lbs. to be honest I never thought I'd say it but I was actually tired of catching Dolphin...but it did taste awfully good!...we did get one Wahoo about 35lbs and raised two Sails as well. We trolled at about 6-7 knots with small naked islander type lures, pink/white, black/purple, black/red/ , green/chartreuse and the "zuchinni" color all with metallic flash in them. Amazingly we used 175# brown braided wire for leaders and the fish still climbed all over them even in the really clear water...

There's a Tarpon Tourney going on right now, check the "keynoter" website "fishing reports for info or call Dave at the World Class Angler here in Marathon and he'll tell you how and on what they are catching them...
hope you enjoy your visit to paradise...perhaps we'll cross paths ...it's always nice to say Hi to another TF'r

[kellerl2]

Thanks for all the information Capt. Bob. So many options and so little time. A day here goes like a minute at work in PA. I understand exactly what you are saying, I’m 58 also, and each and every day is a wonder, much more so here. There is nothing like a day on the water in this gorgeous place. If I could I would move here tomorrow, just don’t have what it takes at this time. We my (wife and I) were out front today, she reads and I fish. I had 4 Tarpon take the fly this afternoon one gave 2 long runs and three good jumps before the hook let go, I missed 2 completely, but caught the fourth after a 40 minute fight that kicked my butt, he wouldn’t jump just hung to the bottom, I did see a lot of fish today, and had a great time. Where can I buy big shrimp, all I’ve found are small? Thanks again for your reply...Larry

[Capt Bob]

check out the bait station on the docks at the World Wide Sportsman (BPS) in Islamorada, the last time I was up there about 2 weeks ago they had some very nice ones in the tanks.They have a lot of flats guides operating out of there so they keep a good supply on the bait.


FYI, the burgers at the WHistle Stop are excellent and the dinners are good at the Green Turtle and of course The Lor-e-lei

[Al B]

Funny, all week we called it the "Wisker Stop"!

Lore-Lei is a great cocktail/appitizer place, didn't eat dinner there.

Highly recommend:
Uncle's (on the left as you're headed south)
Lazy Days (on the left next to Bud and Mary's Marina)
Morada Beach Cafe (Near World Wide Angler)
Bob's Buns - AWESOME breakfast!

[kellerl2]

Thanks Capt. Bob
I’ll stop in a World Wide. Always looking for good food.....Thanks Al B