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Tampa Bay - Saltwater
Capt. Matt Ercoli
May 17, 2006
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
TARPON, TARPON, TARPON, it’s that time of year, my favorite time of the year. I don’t know why but no matter how many tarpon I have jump into the air it still excites me as much as the first. The stalk, the cast, the anticipation of the bite, the hook set and then that explosive first jump. My first of this season was a solid 150 pound plus, his first leap was tremendous. I was looking at the fish at eye level and remember from atop my tower, my eyes are about 12 feet off the water. Wow what an explosive fish that first one was, all of his jumps were like fireworks on the fourth of July. Tarpon really are the ultimate sport fish, smart, powerful, explosive, wary, and although they jump and run fast they still have a tremendous amount of stamina. We’ve been fishing for tarpon for about a week and a half now, since they first showed, and so far it seems be a very strong run. Some of the better days we have hooked and jumped more than a dozen, all in the 75 to 150 pound class and there are a lot larger ones out there as well. It should be very good until the end of July, the resident fish are usually very good in August and September as well.
As for other fish, snook and redfish have also been very good. Lots of small snook with a few trophies here and there. The reds have really picked up. I’ve had some great days on the large schooling bull reds. Most of the reds are running in the 25 to 33 inch range and the clear water has made for some very exciting site fishing for them.
Offshore fishing has been very good as well, the kings should be slowing down with warming water temperatures, we sure put a hurting on them while they were here, lots of 20 pound plus fish. The little tunny have also been very good with lots of 12 to 16 pounders. Spanish mackerel have been mixed in with them, some running 30 inches. Another nice bonus has been the mahia mahia, some have been biting as close as 3 miles offshore this year, probably because of the ultra clear water condition.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my report, if you would like to get out and catch some fish give me a call, until next time good luck fishing.
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