The outstanding tarpon season continues to shine on Captain Steven. 2011 is by far and away the best Tarpon year I have ever been part of. Sunday was another good day on the beach.
Starting at first light while boat traffic is light is always a good tactic. Spinning rods 8' 20-40 pound class with 70/80 series spinning reels with a good drag is the basic combination. 50 pound braid line with 85 pound fluorocarbon leader finished with a 6/0 circle and you are good to go.
Today pods of Tarpon were often within 100 yards of shore. Cast a crab 10'+ in front of the Tarpon as landing a crab on the pod only spooks them. If the schools passes without a hit don't chase, quietly loop around and set up in front of the pod and let them come to you again. Sometimes a pod wont chew so after setting up 3 times with no success I look for another pod.
Like clockwork rolling tarpon were coming at us, we needed to wait just minute or two to get within casting range. The crab proved irresistible and soon we had airborne silver king. This 100 pounder did not want to leave the school and it took better than 20 minutes to break it free from the others. We could have gone for a double hook up with the school still in casting range but with fish this big its better to work one at a time.
45 minutes later we are back looking for another pod of tarpon. Very light winds made spotting easy and we were soon ready for another shot. A poor cast sent the pod in 2 directions but they quickly regrouped allowing another shot. This crab landed well ahead and the result was a solid hook up. A totally of 3 Tarpon joined today's party which ended before 1030.
Captain Steven Markovich
