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July tips
CRAB GRABBIN’
When the new and full moon tides of summer push thousands of crabs
through Florida’s Gulf Coast passes, tarpon stack up to get
their share of the crustacean bounty. Savvy anglers maximize this
occurrence by scooping up the silver dollar size crabs as they drift
amid floating grass. Fish a crab on heavy spinning outfits with
a 4-foot, 80-pound leader and a 5/0 extra strong hook set through
the later corner of its shell. Before hooking, remove the crab’s
pincers to keep it from clamping onto the leader or the line and
marring your presentation. A crab will drop its pincer when squeezed
firmly with pliers, but you can also just remove the top section
of the pincer to eliminate clamping. Even without its defenses,
a crab is simply irresistible to tarpon.
— CAPT. BILL MILLER
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LATE NIGHT TARPON BITE
Night fishing for tarpon can be challenging, as it’s hard
to locate fish in dark, open water. A better option is to target
after-hours ‘poons at the bridges. Lights from the structure
cast a glow upon the water for the bridge’s entire length.
Position under the bridge, facing into the current, so you don’t
drift down onto the “light line.” Tarpon will be cruising
this edge between the light and the shadows, so watch for fish approaching
from right or left. Live baits will work, but because the fish will
be on the move, artificials like DOA’s Shrimp and Baitbuster
lures and Mr. Twister Exude Shrimp enable you to better target your
presentations. Lead the fish by several feet and cast upcurrent,
so your bait drifts naturally to the fish.
— CAPT. JIM LEMKE
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TARPON ETIQUETTE #1
During the height of summer tarpon season, Gulf Coast spots like
Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay, become crowded with boats
seeking silver king action. Anglers can minimize the ill effects
of boating proximity by adhering to an organized method of fishing.
Basically, anglers should position uptide of the tarpon concentrations,
drift through the target area at medium idle and present their baits
to the fish. If you don’t get a bite, move outside the fishing
area and motor back to the top of the drift pattern for another
pass. It’s tempting to end a drift and then race back into
the fish for another drop, but this only spooks the tarpon and ruins
the game for you and your fellow anglers. When anglers play by the
rules of etiquette and allow one another ample space, everyone tends
to fare better.
— CAPT. BILL MILLER & CAPT. JIM LEMKE
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TARPON ETIQUETTE #2
Pass fishing for tarpon almost always means company. This can be
a serious problem when you hook a tarpon, as the presence of several
other lines and motors give your fish numerous break-off options.
And when several boats hook up simultaneously, the potential for
a major league tangling runs high. Anglers can combat this problem
by quickly getting on top of their tarpon (vertically positioned
above the hooked fish), guiding it outside the fishing fleet and
into open water for a more spacious fight. When hooked up, it’s
wise to communicate with other anglers who may not be watching your
fish’s position. A simple warning can give fellow boaters
time to clear lines and move out of your fish’s path. Such
courtesy is usually repaid when you need it most.
— CAPT. BILL MILLER & CAPT. JIM LEMKE
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