This week we saw the first phase of our winter time tarpon fishing start to kick in. We are hoping for a repeat of last years fantastic fishing. Last year the tarpon filled in very well with huge schools feeding on crabs and shrimp at the corner of the tides. This week we fished for tarpon twice both nights fishing was slow for long periods of time then the fish turned on like a switch.
Darin Jenkins the famous peanut farmer was out with me the first night after fishing for three hours without a strike Darin ended up with five tarpon to the boat and a bonus with a couple of nice permit.
The next night was with John McLoughlin and his two friends that were down from New England. Fishing again was pretty slow until later in the night when the fish gave us a short bite for about 45 minutes. We caught multiple mangrove snapper and proceeded to go 0 for 4 on tarpon until they shut down again. John did a great job and managed to get about a 40lb tarpon within a few feet from the boat before it jumped and shook the hook, he also caught a about a 24 inch snook as a bonus . All in al not a bad start.
I had a good time fishing with these guys, they put in the time and we got our shots. Hopefully fishing will get a little more consistant this month.
Good Luck out there and be careful Capt Jeff
