Winter Fishing **** - Tarpon Fishing

[carpeweekend]

Had the opportunity to steal an extra day and go tarpon fishing last week while on a business trip to Miami. What a blast. And I thought fishing for Springs was addictive. Hooked up on 7 tarpon and landed 3. All 75 - 110 pounds.

Very sore from fighting these big boys. And yes, that is Miami Beach in the background.

 

[getbent]

Right on, one fish I have yet to have a shot on.
Thanks for the post

 

[fshnfnatic]

There's one that's on my bucket list!Very envious carpeweekend.

 

[Califbill]

I have caught 100# Yellowfin tuna, etc. and Tarpon are the most fun fish I have ever hooked. I hooked about 10 to a 100# in Tortuguero Costa Rica and landed 5 to about 60#. Even the 10# one will kick you butt. And you see 95% of the Tarpon you hook, even if you long distance release, as they all decide to come 6+ feet out of the water. Guide in Tortuguero was $400 a day for up to 2 people.

 

[Whole in the Water]

Definitely one species of fish I would like to go for one day!

 

[Sculpin]

You scurvy dog. Great pics . Thanks for sharing .

 

[Wooly]

Awesome………one day…….soon! I hope!

 

[carpeweekend]

I had always thought that fishing Tarpon was this exotic endeavour but the reality was that we found a local guide right in Miami. It was about a 20 minute boat ride to where we were fishing in front of Miami Beach in an 18" boat. We were only 200 yards off shore in about 15 - 30' of water. $600 for a full day so was only $300 each for me and my buddy. The guide says that there are Tarpon there almost all year round.

As Califbill mentions, you see every Tarpon that you catch as they love to get airborne early and often. Expect to lose a bunch through them spitting the hook when they jump and the 60 pound leader fraying in their mouth while you fight them.

 

[happy hooker]

Definitely on my bucket list, great pics. What was the name of the outfit that you hired?

 

[carpeweekend]

The guide's name was Carl Ball (the tarpon slayer). (954)383-0145. He also guides for other species in the area - bonefish, redfish, etc depending on weather and what's biting.