Contributing Writer Capt. Alex Moran
SpiritFly Fishing Charters
So America turned 250 this month #woot. My Aunt Jo-Ann is slightly behind that but she's still going. This crazy old jazz-hound wine fueled bat can spin a tale or vinyl record better than a hipster with a mid 90's trucker hat at a craft cocktail, joint or any of those revolutionary kooks with wooden teeth lighting cannons with; what I can only assume were hand rolled cigars dipped in tea from Boston Harbor (you have to dry them first, kids #askmehowiknow).
I don't know if she can spend a day on the skiff at the moment but an evening under the moon.... let's just say I'm not a gambling man but that's a safe bet. Big moons draw big personalities, at least that's what my years in the service industry taught me. Big personality and big fish. Like Tarpon.
What... You thought I'd write about something else this month? If I'm sweating while the sun is down and tying flies in my undies on the patio you can bet I'm thinking about silver. Not the mineral deposits that built "Carson City" Nevada, but the silver scaled buttheads that haunt my dreams swimming around our estuaries.
If we're going (briefly I promise kids...most of us other than Sophie, graduated a LONG time ago) down the history rabbit hole of this area and big game fishing the first recorded tarpon caught on rod and reel was at the south end of Pine Island Sound in a secret spot that rhymes with "Shmarpon Bay" by William Halsey Wood in 1885.
Once the secret was out, socialites and people of high social stature began to head to the quiet mosquito infested swamp of Southwest Florida.
If you ever have a chance to stop onto Useppa Island and grab a drink or a bite to eat the walls and bar are laden with scales and pictures from people who embarked on the water into the sunrise only to watch it drip slowly into the horizon after catching not only the fish of a lifetime but a brief moment of personal glory after conquering the elusive water dragon.
Many of the scales that are preserved even have hand written dates, weights, and the angler's names on them which adds a certain charm. I wonder what fishing around here was like so long ago. Meh. It doesn't matter, I've got grey hair in my beard now. The good news is that some of the grass we've lost is growing back and the tides will turn tomorrow!! #pivotpoint
Them there (not a typo I'm just a dummy) big moons I was talking about before sometimes have myself and my anglers baffled. Personally, I find that it becomes a feast or famine situation when the tarpon migration is rolling through. The fish are either (seemingly anyways) STACKED up inside our islands or they're swimming to the moon with sasquatch. In the late mornings you can potentially find strings of fish cruising the beach before pleasure boaters put them down in 6ft of water or so, be patient and bring an extra sandwich, as it could be a long day.
During the afternoons I like to hit the sandbars and edges inside the barrier islands, hoping that somebody got lazy and wanted to hide from the current (I would too, have you ever driven in Cape Coral's rush hour traffic??). While getting shots at larger fish this time of year may start to dwindle there are plenty of areas to get a bend in the rod. Following a good hard rain, there's a nice bet you'll be able to find Juvenile tarpon and snook fired up in the sneaky spots around Pine Island and Charlotte Harbor.
No peeking at your gps kids, learn with your eyes. It's more good harder satisfactionizing that way (if you know me you know).
If the poon aren't showing themselves and you're out of ideas there are plenty of grass flats to pry for large trout and jacks this time of year as the area is rife with bait. Hell, my buddy Mike Jones nabbed his first fish in literally 20 years on an impromptu visit recently.
Terrible picture credit goes to my drummer Josh (love ya buddy)....I'd focus on the outside of a sandbar as the tide falls out and toss either a paddle tail or a Clouser Minnow along the edge and make some magic happen. This is super fun if you have grandkids in town for summer break, who doesn't love a bend in the rod?!
As is customary in these parts I like to focus on snook near points with current but at this time of year I'm focusing on areas closer to the passes. Whether or not they'll be there I can't tell you but it's definitely a good bet. Small jerk baits tossed under the mangroves can be deadly, especially on a windblown shoreline, and a topwater plug along a tide line in shallow water at low light is a BLAST.
Rig your lures with a single hook to avoid the floating grass so you don't get fouled. On those rare calm mornings keep your eyes peeled while you're drifting a flat with the tide. I would advise having a larger rod ready to roll just in case the errant tarpon shows up across your bow. This is a special time of year, go make some memories.
Alright, I'm tired of typing and Robin is anxiously awaiting my keyboard barf. Hopefully you are all having a safe and fun tarpon season! Be safe out there and grab some trash while you're boating, please. Take care until next month, and if you'd like to hop on the boat give me a call!
Capt. Alex Moran
Spiritfly Fishing Charters
SW Florida
