Mullet run = Tarpon
Capt. Jim Hobales
October 21, 2010
Flamingo - Saltwater Fishing Report
101410
I was out still breaking in my new Yamaha S.H.O. 250. Its the time of year that a blast chasing the mullet schools. The mullet are thick and full of Tarpon, the best part they are hitting our baits. I threw the net and couldn't lift it into the boat this is just fun by itself, then I hooked one up and threw it in front of the rolling Tarpon. it didn't take long and the rod was doubled over with a 70 lb fish jumping in the air. This was the case four the next 4 hours,jumping over 20 Tarpon. I know this sounds like the last report but this is what's going on for the next few weeks. The other species haven't joined in feeding frenzy yet.
101510
I am in Marco Island today with my partner Paul catching bait for tomorrows Backwater Series championship. We caught our bait quickly so we could go Tarpon fishing and we did just that. We caught 2 big mullet and headed to Caxambas Pass, then we put out an 2 lb. mullet, The next thing I know Paul's hooked up to 150 plus Tarpon. It was a short fight the big girl threw the bait on the 3rd jump. We re-rigged and set out another bait, it didn't take long and we had another Tarpon in the air. This time the Tarpon threw the bait on the first jump but we were still loving it. We had to go get ready for tomorrow and make it to the captains meeting.
101610
Today is the day my partners Paul, Mitch and myself have worked for all year after a disappointing finish in last years championship where we actually had a chance at team of the year. This year we perform much better and were in the hunt until the last tournament where had some misfortune with a dead fish and the other measuring over. We ended up with no points we went from 6th to14th place, no matter, we are here and are giving it all today. We made our usual 60 mile run from Goodland to the Flamingo area in some sloppy NW winds, but I ran that new 250 S.H.O.at 57 mph and only burned 16 gallons doing it.
We pulled up and saw fish right off the bat but they were sluggish and turning off the baits. This is about "the one that got away" Paul had a solid fish pulling drag, I reached for the net and it was gone. We ended up with 6 fish caught and 3 missed and of course the missed fish were bigger fish! We had 10 1/2 lbs in the live well and were trying to get a kicker fish but we ran out of time. We made the long run back both fish were kicking good in the live well. We were just hoping some other had tough days as well. We made it back with no time left at PM. We were the last ones to check in again! Disappointment sets in again! We opened the well and our big fish was floating we were baffled and couldn't figure out why.
In the 10 years of competing in these Redfish tournaments I have lost only 2 fish and it been the last 2 tournaments. It is a great series and very competive, I along with my partners are the only ones from the east coast and we held our own this year. It's more about respect than money, we will be back next year!
101710
I am fishing with Gary from Matagorda,Texas today off of Miami Beach and we are fishing for Tarpon. I netted more bait (Pilchards and Mullet) than I could ever use. I threw out net fulls hoping to get some interest all day long and no bites on pilchards. The mullet were getting beat up inside of Government Cut by big Jacks, our biggest was 10 lbs. We drifted thru pods of Tarpon all morning long and they didn't even look at our mullet which was different than any other day lately. We ran inside caught some Trout and more Jacks while trying to chum up the Snook with pilchards. I threw hundreds of them and nothing turned on, sometimes I just don't get it! Gary had to leave and pick up his wife, I really enjoyed his company and his stories/pics of big Tripletail in Matagorda.
101810
I am fishing with Paul and John today out of Haulover marina in N. Miami Beach, right now this area is Tarpon central. We got out and caught a nice Jack and then had a 70 lb Tarpon on for a while. I was fishing Dumbfoundling Bay with live mullet, The next fish was a Shark which bit our bait in half followed by a Barracuda which did the same. We had a giant Tarpon slam a Mullet, miss it and not return. We had another pick up the bait, double the rod pull drag and then let go. This was follow up- by a Snook that hit and missed, I was looking for a "banana" because when things happen like they were I usually find one. They are bad luck and bring on silly problems.
102010
Today I am fishing with Bruce and we are on the beach right off of Haulover where the Mullet schools are being smashed by giant Tarpon. We sat in the schools for 3 hours with only 1 Snook bite But the show is incredible. I tried all the trick I know and they wouldn't eat our baits. We went to Dumbfoundling bay and tried there and hose Tarpon weren't eating either, but the Jacks were out of control. I think we had 30 or so Jacks up to 10 lbs. Its possible the full moon had some effect but the Tarpon on the beach were still eating. I saw a guy on the beach catch a 20 lb Snook put him in his bucket and leave!
This beach fishing is hot right now if your think you would like to try give me a call at 305 333 8149.
capt Jimbo
Flamingo Fishing Forecast:
mullet run for the next month
More Fishing Reports:
