Our Florida fishing report page offers up to date information on
fishing in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Orlando and Boca Grande
area of Florida's West Coast. For more information on our Florida fishing charters and
tarpon fishing charters, please click the link below
Just
as during our last El Nino winter in 1998, it started out very mild and
then we got hit late with some Canadian Arctic air. Water temperatures
plummeted into the lower- and mid-50s. Normally, that is end of things
until the water rebounds into the lower 60s several days or sometimes a
week after a blow of this magnitude. Despite having cooler waters that
are ultra clear later than usual, those of us putting in our time are
still able to score.
Trout are normally
the bread and butter species of winter. While we've had our
share of fine winter trout, the bigger story is the redfish. Each
year a particular species of fish stands in the forefront of
cycles, and for this past year it has to be the reds. A passing
front will send the fish to nearby holes, creeks, rivers, ditches
and springs. On the first sunny day following the big chill, the
fish will "crawl" out to the shallows to catch a few
rays and maybe get lucky by finding something to eat. We have been
finding nice pockets of upper slot and over-sized reds on all
phases of the tides. However, the party really starts on the upper
1/3 of the flood and ebb. With a stealth approach, we've been
getting both quality and quantity.
The water is still
on the cooler side for neo tropical snook. The Vernal Equinox will
occur on March 21. The days are lengthening and as the ratio of
light to darkness increases, the biological time clock of the
snook signals that its time to test the edges of the flats. Late
fronts in March can put a damper on the snook, but by far, this is
the best month to catch large and unpressured trophies.
Kyle Mas was all smiles with a nice
Florida pompano. A little finesse is required to capture the
elusive Florida pompano and Kyle has what it takes!
Juvenile tarpon
have been very cooperative all winter. Many days the fish are not
showing well, but savvy anglers who have mastered time honed
winter tarpon skills are getting their fish. Most fish average 10
to 30lbs. While they have not the fighting prowess of their
parents, they are a blast on light tackle and often the final
ingredient in securing a flats "grand slam" (redfish, trout,
snook, and tarpon). Not a bad way to complete a winter day!
The Ides of March
are just two weeks ahead. Expect the king and Spanish mackerel,
cobia, grouper and permit to return to the nearshore waters then.
Giant tarpon will be the quest of those who hail from all
parts of the world wishing to test their mettle against the
greatest, big game fish on earth. Each year tens of thousands of
tarpon congregate along our coast in numbers second to none in the
world. The beauty of this fascinating species is its character
traits of purity and non-discrimination.They will eat anything and grace anyone with their company
regardless of their race, creed, color, or income.
Left and below images: Howard Fetter scored big with a state official
"Florida Gulf Coast Slam" (tarpon, snook, redfish), last
week.
For
me, the intrigue of tarpon is found within the theater of serenity,
euphoric desertion and sovereignty that I can share with many who have the
same common ambitions as myself. In today's modern era, we my not have
the tarpon to ourselves, but for that moment we find solitude and nothing
else matters. The joy of being able to take someone tarpon fishing and to
watch their reaction as that first tap turns wild and the hard pull from
the depths suddenly turns into a sub-surface to air ballistic missile are
bonuses of my profession.The
sounds of the ferocious rattle of the gill rakers, the sight of the
majestic, tail-walk dance of the silver king or the 360 degree back flips,
and the stamina needed for the fight by man and beast is a spectacle for
all senses. These are the experiences of a lifetime and for many of my
clients a challenge we refer to as "our annual calling".
CEO deckhand, Brian Timmons
and I took off on a busman's holiday after a last second postponement.
It was January, but that was not to stop the "B man" from
scoring a true grand slam (tarpon, snook, redfish, trout).
In sports, tarpon fishing is equivalent to the Daytona 500
of NASCAR, the World Series of baseball, or the Tour de France of cycling.
Tarpon are the crown jewel of Florida flats fishing and the apex of light
tackle fishing experienced anywhere in the world.I invite you as a serious contender in this championship game
to join me in this experience for 2007.
Call your personal trainer, start your weight training
today, and bring plenty of Ben Gay as the zenith of 2007 Florida fishing
is now just weeks away.
Screaming
Drags and Tired Arms!
Robert McCue
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