We're moving into late summer now along the Gulf coast of the Everglades and the weather is pretty predictable... lots of rain every afternoon, plenty of mosquitoes, and the fish are hungry...
On Tuesday I had local anglers Bill and Terry Hanson aboard for the day under less than ideal conditions, with rain predicted at about 60%... The reality was rain all day and we ended up quitting a few hours early. Before we had enough rain, though, the fish were eating every lure that came their way, large fat speckled trout, one large mangrove snapper, and a few grouper that ate lures meant for trout in a slow current off the end of a small island. Every grouper just hammered us and our light gear didn't stand much of a chance. Ten pound line on a light rod with a small Gulp tailed jig was just the ticket they wanted but we couldn't slow them down. The usual results were a hard strike, the rod bent double, and just enough line screaming off the reel to get to the nearest structure... Once or twice it looked as though a jig got hit by something large and toothy since that first run was half a spool of line before the cutoff... Bill and Terry kept enough fish for a couple of dinners and we called it a day. My skiff was almost dry a full day later. Although the rains of summer can mean tough fishing conditions for anglers they're very welcome since the rain lowers the water temperature and the fish turn on....
On Thursday, I spent the day on a Hells Bay skiff, making a long run with anglers from the Carolinas... Exploration was the ticket since my anglers wanted to learn the best way to make the long run from Flamingo all the way up to Lostman's River, and a low tide shows all hazards when you're learning a new backcountry route... To start the day, though, we spent a small amount of time fishing the numerous tarpon around one river mouth. It was time well spent since we hooked up an 80lb tarpon that was nice enough to pose for a picture or two before being carefully revived and released... Here's few photos...
Kevin with a very nice late summer tarpon. The fish ate a ladyfish on a 6/0 circle hook and put on a great show...
By the end of the day the run up to and around the mouth of Lostman's clocked about 100 miles or a bit more. Fortunately the best fishing is only half that distance each day....
This time of year the big tarpon along the coast will show up more and more and that great second tarpon season in my area will be going strong all the way to that first cold night in late October. It might be hurricane season but for the tarpon it's time to feed every day and get ready for the cooler weather at the end of October. Tarpon Heaven!