Tampa Bay shined today! Today was all about catching not fishing and catching all big fish. Tarpon are in the usual spots and while the morning was windy the fish were easy to spot as they were incredibly active. The first pod was right in front and very close, I think the rough seas covered the sound of the boat as these Tarpon were not spooky. First pinfish in the pod was quickly inhaled and a 90-100 silver king took to the air. The tarpon made numerous jumps before coming unbuttoned. Shorty there after we hooked a large tarpon 150-160 pounds of dynamite. Explosive jumps and runs for over 20 minutes before this tarpon came undone like the first one.
The amazing redfish bite the last two weeks was once again waiting for us. Large redfish 28-31" eagerly took pinfish or large white baits. One of the redfish had a tag which we retrieved, took measurements and weighed before releasing. 30" 9.5 pounds.
We targeted snook on the beaches, while the bite was not wide open we landed several nice snook. I enclosed a photo that shows just how silver snook are on the beach vs. the dark color they have up in the bay.
Tarpon gear is as follows, Dogfish custom 7.5 # 40 rods, Quantum Cabo 60 and 70 spinning reels with 50 pound high visibility Power pro braided line. 5' of 75 pound fluorocarbon leader attached to a 6/0 circle hook.
Amazing day!
Capt. Steven
