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Fort Lauderdale Lunker Report - Tarpon Tricks That Work
April Is the month where the fishing changes dramatically. Our inshore fishing and offshore fishing absolutely explode.
For Lunkerdog Fishing Charters Tarpon and Snook will be on the top of the priority list. As the water warms the Tarpon and the Snook will start their migratory pattern. Tarpon will be heading north up the coast and Snook heading east to the ocean. Most of the Tarpon and Snook will be just off the beach from Miami to Fort lauderdale. Although we catch Tarpon and Snook year round here in South Florida this is peak fishing season for Tarpon. Many tarpon guides agree and are getting ready to rumble with these big fish.
Tarpon fishing is all about locating the schools fish then fishing for them. It is essential to get up early when searching for tarpon the earlier you get up the better because tarpon often roll on the surface first thing in the morning. Also the wind is usually its calmest in the morning making the tarpon easier to see. After you locate the fish try to jockey yourself in front of the school in order to present your bait. I like to use live crabs this time of year. The biggest benefit is that after casting a crab out in front of a school of Tarpon the bait will start at the surface and then swim down therefor it will cover the whole water column naturally to encourage more strikes.
Tarpon tackle will vary but this time of year it is better to go with heavier tackle because the migratory fish are much bigger than average residential fish. I like to use 15lb test spinning outfits for my anglers. This gives them the ability to make long cast which will be very beneficial while hunting these migratory schools. Our leader material is usually 80lb fluorocarbon leader tied directly to the main line with no swivel, then an 8/0 circle hook tied with a loop knot has proven to have the best hook up ratio. Dead bait for Tarpon also works well especially when the fish are not rolling. This approach lets the fish find you. Tarpon are very good at smelling dead bait on the bottom and will often sniff out a good fresh dead bait. I have had the most success using dolphin bellies or kingfish chunks to attract tarpon. I think these dead baits work well because that is what most people are cleaning at the fillet tables down here in South Florida.
I think the hardest thing for anglers is the hook set for tarpon. When using a circle hook it is essential to let the fish eat the bait and hopefully turn his head away or sideways. Once you feel the tarpon give him a two count for this to happen then reel at a moderate rate until you come tight.
If the tarpon starts jumping reel as fast as you can but never jerk the rod. NEVER should you jerk the rod just reel. Although this sounds simple it is the hardest task for my anglers. It helps if you talk to yourself out loud in order to control your reactions.
Snook fishing is a bit more simple between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Snook will move from West to East and will eat well as the water temps rise above. You can't beat a large live shrimp free lined under a bridge or by some docks. Snook almost always seek structure as they move towards the ocean to spawn. Often you will have to use heavy tack in order to keep them away from the structure. Snook like moving water but fishing as the tide slows has alway been key in getting a natural presentation to these fish. Fast parts of the tide make it almost impossible to present your bait so I suggest fishing with a jig head when the tide is roaring. In any case snook should be abundant but remember there are not to be harvested this year due to cold weather season closures.
Offshore will also be very productive for almost all the species. You just need to get a good game plan weather it is snapper or marlin or anything in between this is the time of year.
Good Luck out there and be careful!
Capt Jeff is USCG licensed Captain that knows how to target the right fish during the right season. His fishing knowledge was actually inherited from his father Joe Maggio ( Founder and owner of Salt Shaker Custom Yachts ) moving to Las Olas Blvd. during 1977 after 4 seasons of Giant Bluefin fishing out of Cape Ann Gloucester MA. Capt Jeff has been fishing Ft Lauderdale since 1977 and still lives and fishes downtown
For Lunkerdog Fishing Charters Tarpon and Snook will be on the top of the priority list. As the water warms the Tarpon and the Snook will start their migratory pattern. Tarpon will be heading north up the coast and Snook heading east to the ocean. Most of the Tarpon and Snook will be just off the beach from Miami to Fort lauderdale. Although we catch Tarpon and Snook year round here in South Florida this is peak fishing season for Tarpon. Many tarpon guides agree and are getting ready to rumble with these big fish.
Tarpon fishing is all about locating the schools fish then fishing for them. It is essential to get up early when searching for tarpon the earlier you get up the better because tarpon often roll on the surface first thing in the morning. Also the wind is usually its calmest in the morning making the tarpon easier to see. After you locate the fish try to jockey yourself in front of the school in order to present your bait. I like to use live crabs this time of year. The biggest benefit is that after casting a crab out in front of a school of Tarpon the bait will start at the surface and then swim down therefor it will cover the whole water column naturally to encourage more strikes.
Tarpon tackle will vary but this time of year it is better to go with heavier tackle because the migratory fish are much bigger than average residential fish. I like to use 15lb test spinning outfits for my anglers. This gives them the ability to make long cast which will be very beneficial while hunting these migratory schools. Our leader material is usually 80lb fluorocarbon leader tied directly to the main line with no swivel, then an 8/0 circle hook tied with a loop knot has proven to have the best hook up ratio. Dead bait for Tarpon also works well especially when the fish are not rolling. This approach lets the fish find you. Tarpon are very good at smelling dead bait on the bottom and will often sniff out a good fresh dead bait. I have had the most success using dolphin bellies or kingfish chunks to attract tarpon. I think these dead baits work well because that is what most people are cleaning at the fillet tables down here in South Florida.
I think the hardest thing for anglers is the hook set for tarpon. When using a circle hook it is essential to let the fish eat the bait and hopefully turn his head away or sideways. Once you feel the tarpon give him a two count for this to happen then reel at a moderate rate until you come tight.
If the tarpon starts jumping reel as fast as you can but never jerk the rod. NEVER should you jerk the rod just reel. Although this sounds simple it is the hardest task for my anglers. It helps if you talk to yourself out loud in order to control your reactions.
Snook fishing is a bit more simple between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Snook will move from West to East and will eat well as the water temps rise above. You can't beat a large live shrimp free lined under a bridge or by some docks. Snook almost always seek structure as they move towards the ocean to spawn. Often you will have to use heavy tack in order to keep them away from the structure. Snook like moving water but fishing as the tide slows has alway been key in getting a natural presentation to these fish. Fast parts of the tide make it almost impossible to present your bait so I suggest fishing with a jig head when the tide is roaring. In any case snook should be abundant but remember there are not to be harvested this year due to cold weather season closures.
Offshore will also be very productive for almost all the species. You just need to get a good game plan weather it is snapper or marlin or anything in between this is the time of year.
Good Luck out there and be careful!
Capt Jeff is USCG licensed Captain that knows how to target the right fish during the right season. His fishing knowledge was actually inherited from his father Joe Maggio ( Founder and owner of Salt Shaker Custom Yachts ) moving to Las Olas Blvd. during 1977 after 4 seasons of Giant Bluefin fishing out of Cape Ann Gloucester MA. Capt Jeff has been fishing Ft Lauderdale since 1977 and still lives and fishes downtown
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Permission is granted to republish this article, free of charge, as long as embedded links remain in tact and articles are not changed, edited, or reworded.