Boca Grande Tarpon 6/22
Capt. Pete Greenan
June 22, 2009
Boca Grande - Saltwater Fishing Report
Boca Grande, Fl. 22 June 2009 Tarpon are still the target species, but a lot of different species are available now too. We have as many snook this year roaming our beaches as ever before. False Albacore are slamming the bait fish just off shore. If you can keep up with them, they are a hoot. We even have a few permit around that cooperate with most anglers. I have not been fishing for redfish at all this summer, but there is always that chance you'll run across them in the back country.Tarpon are the hot item right now. We have a lot of fish here this year. Most are schooling along the beaches near Boca Grande, but a few other, including some small ones, are rolling around in the back country. That gives us an option on very windy days. Here's what you need to catch the beach tarpon;1. a 70 foot cast with a 12 wt.2. a light colored fly over the sand bottom and a black or black & purple in the low light conditions. I like yellow/white and sand/yellow for the light pattern.3. Patience... You have to wait for the tide to move before the fish will. Pick a spot and stick with it. To catch tarpon consistently, you have to commit to being after them all day.4. accuracy... when you cast you'll need to place the fly in line with the fish well before they reach you, be at no more than a 30 degree angle from their approach, and keep the fly in their strike zone as long as possible. A fly that sinks too fast is below the fish and they don't eat down very often. Bill Bishop, in his book High Rollers, reminds us that the fly must be moving away from the fish. He says it is like a bumble bee flying at you. You'll spook when that happens.Now a word on casting. Practise with a 12 wt., no substitute! Place a 36 inch target at 70 feet measured with a tape. No guessing. Cast from all directions until you can hit your target 90 % of the time. Don't waste you time and money coming after tarpon unprepared. Don't be fooled into thinking you can do this without practising, you can't. Tarpon are a world class fish, most over 100 lbs. The fight can last as long as two hours, it's hot, windy, bouncy and visibility can be iffy. Catching tarpon is easy if you can do all of the above, but failure to do any of those things reduce you chances drastically.At any rate, get ready and come fishing. It's the best time of the year.
Fish Hard,
Capt. Pete Greenan
www.floridaflyfishing.com
Boca Grande Fishing Forecast:
tarpon and snook will continue to be plentiful through August.
Target Species:
Tarpon
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