Tarpon season was put on a standstill in March with the Covid-19 Pandemic conditions were starting to blossom as water temps climbed and the cold fronts began diminishing. Most of March and April I was fortunate enough to fish in the Everglades Back country for Giant Tarpon as they started showing up in good numbers. We targeted these fish with fly and spin gear usually throwing 11/12 weight fly rods with Intermediate lines or just Int tip for easier casting and twenty pound class tippet. My go to leader is 8 to 10ft in length depending on water clarity. Big Black and Purple Baitfish fly patterns were doing best and smaller flies tied with feathers (there's nothing like the action of natural materials) that suspend was the ticket for laid up fish. I like to throw a 7ft MED Heavy rod with a 6000 class reel with 40lb Braided line for my spin fishing clients we are usually throwing soft plastics swim baits or Hard Plastic plugs. As a Tarpon Guide the wheels are always turning on how to stay in front of the fish we began seeing good numbers of fish swimming the Gulf coast from Cape Sable to Chokoloskee. Most of the time we would be casting at rolling fish but Blind casting was very productive when the fish were stacked up in a smaller zone. Most fish we were encountering were between 60-120lbs and for the most part were untouched due to the lack of pressure. Mid April I fished the Florida Keys although it seemed early for me there were fish swimming the Ocean in good numbers lots of big groups of Tarpon as they weren't being disrupted by skiffs, boats, jet skis etc...Oceanside Tarpon can be tricky you definitely want to have your casting down to second nature so that you can focus on the fishes behavior in order to sell the fly to get an eat. The Keys are expected to Reopen to visitors June 1st at 50% Capacity for Hotels, Restaurants and Businesses. If you are looking to Book a Tarpon Fishing Charter I have lots of Availability for June-July to chase these fish on A Fly rod or Spin Gear. Please visit https://www.jerryperezfishing.com/ to Book your fishing trip! JP
Capt Jerry Perez
Scannin Shallow Guide Service
PH 786 517 7261 or Email jp2436@ymail.com
