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Captain's Corner: Tarpon time

 
Published June 1, 2015

It is the best time of year to target tarpon. Silver kings are cruising the beaches on their yearly migration up and down the west coast of Florida. This week, strong full-moon tides and the new-moon tides in two weeks provide some of the best action you will ever see tarpon fishing. Tarpon will congregate in the deep 90-foot hole off of Egmont Key, waiting for the falling tide. Once the current is at its fastest, crabs will start to go out with the tide. Tarpon will make their way to the hole and wait for the crabs. Some of the biggest mistakes that I see people make during fishing is dipping crabs in the drift and running through the pack of fishing boats. Crabs are all over the place; there is no reason to interrupt everyone's drift. Once the drift is over, go out and around the pack of boats, not through the fish and people. Running on plane will disrupt the fish and cause unnecessary boat wakes. Another problem I see is using tackle that's too light. I like 80-pound braid and 80-pound fluorocarbon leader with a 6/0 hook matched up with a rod rated up to 100 pounds. I can land tarpon fast so they do not fight themselves to total exhaustion.

Rob Gorta charters out of St. Petersburg. Call him at (727) 647-7606 or visit captainrobgorta.com.