Captain's Report - July/August, 2008

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Big game fish: Tarpon fishing remains strong along our beaches. We have been averaging eight bites a day, impressive by most anglers' standards. Live bait has been the ticket for our success.

Locations: Many tarpon are swimming in the massive schools of juvenile baitfish that have smothered the beaches. If you locate these 2-inch minnows, you will notice the tarpon swimming with the schools. Occasionally the tarpon will turn on, working the minnows into a tight ball, then gulp mouthfuls at a time. If you are near this activity, you can hook up instantly.

Tactics: We have been suspending live baits from a float then tossing toward the rolling fish. Pinfish, threadfin herring and pumpkinseeds have been our preferred baits. The pumpkinseeds, also referred to as Atlantic bumpers, have been our top choice. They can be jigged up with gold hook rigs along the beaches.

More action: There have been nice schools of tarpon working their way up and down the beach. Some of the northbound schools are hungry and a hookup inevitable. Their directional path indicates a good deal have spawned in the past few weeks.

Captain's Report - July/August, 2008

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Past Captain's Reports