The calendar now says April which means we are just a month away from Tarpon season. Not many things are more exciting than stalking a Silver King at sunrise along our Gulf beaches. Egmont Key, the Skyway Bridge area is a highway for migrating Tarpon. I for one can't wait.
That said lets not get ahead of ourselves as April is an amazing time in the Tampa Bay region. Giant King Mackerel to over 50 pounds are starting to arrive for their annual spring migration. Spanish mackerel by the thousands will cover the near shores and continue all the way up into Tampa Bay. I recall several trips last year making the 17 mile run from the Apollo Beach area to the Skyway Bridge it felt like I was on I 4. It was hard to go any distance without running into a school while running the ship channel. Fisherman both young and old love the fast and furious action Mackerel provide.
The days are getting longer and longer with nighttime low temperatures soon reaching into the uppers 60's and low 70's. Winter low tides are now growing and growing and soon Tampa Bay's famous mangroves will be full of water. Factor the arrival of baitfish on the flats and the snook fishing will explode! At On The Mark Charters we switched to circle hooks and have not had not one snook gut hooked nor have I seen the ration of hook ups go down. I must admit it can be challenging as clients tend to think they are Bill Dance and try to set the hook like Godzilla might! Funny how novice fisherman tend to listen and do this while season anglers have trouble adapting. It's no joke the rod holder can be the fisherman that day.
If you have not fished for Bonita better known as Little Tuny. Blitz is the best way to describe the action. Enclosed is a picture what to look for, trust me between the birds and the boiling water you can't miss them. These amazing speedsters averaging 8 to 15 pounds on lights tackle can take 15 minutes to land. Rod bending, drag screaming action is the name of this game. On a trip last year we had a rod where we did not check the drag first and of course one of the bigger Bonita hammered this rod and snapped the line like a riffle shot! Lesson learned always check the drag settings. Bonita are in open water so lighter drag settings rule the day. If all this doesn't get you excited call 911 and check your pulse.
Don't forget the sunscreen, I have seen to many cases of sun skin cancer that was preventable. Check out www.skincancer.org don't become a statistic, instead enjoy day on the water.
Capt. Steven
