Late start to tarpon season not a negative
SUSAN COCKING / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
scocking@MiamiHerald.com
Tarpon fishing season has arrived in the Keys -- albeit a month late -- but local guides are hoping for plenty of big fish pouring through the channels, bridges and along the flats through midsummer.
Captain Gary Ellis of Islamorada, who with his wife, Susan, runs the Redbone series of light-tackle fishing tournaments in the Keys and elsewhere, said he believes migratory tarpon managed to escape last winter's extended cold period relatively unscathed.
Two weeks of frigid water temperatures in January are blamed for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fish throughout South Florida and the state.
``The migratory tarpon weren't impacted by the cold. They were homies we lost,'' Ellis said. ``The migration has been to a degree normal, but 30 days late. We went into March with winter conditions, then into April with March conditions. From now looking forward, we're looking at a good tarpon season and big fish.''
Captain Paul Hunt of Homestead said that as recently as two weeks ago, water temperatures in Florida Bay had not broken the 70 degree mark -- considered optimum for tarpon fishing.
``But now I'd say we're right back to normal,'' Hunt said. ``I think it's going to be good up to the middle of July.''
Hunt guided his wife, Linda, and me to victory in last weekend's La Siesta Redbone at Large Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament in Islamorada. Fishing Saturday morning and evening, and again last Sunday morning, Linda and I caught and released four tarpon, including two of more than 100 pounds. Although we didn't weigh the fish, we got plenty of opportunities to gauge their size as they leapt repeatedly out of the shallow waters. All fish were caught using live mullet suspended from floats -- three in Race Channel in the backcountry and one in Teatable Channel oceanside.
A total of eight tarpon were caught and released among the fleet of 12 boats, but numerous guides and anglers reported broken lines, hooks that straightened or pulled out, and fish that chased live baits around but inexplicably gave up.
``These are new fish. They're acting a little differently,'' Ellis said. ``They're still settling down.''
Many tarpon bites during the tournament came without warning; that is, the fish failed to perform their characteristic oxygenating rolls on the surface that announce their presence.
``Because the water is cool and has more oxygen, you don't see anywhere near as many rolling,'' Islamorada light-tackle guide captain Bill Wert said.
Hunt said mullet is the bait of choice right now because the channels are full of them. But he expects live crabs to eclipse mullet as waters warm. And that makes fishing a bit easier.
``They just eat the crab,'' Hunt said. ``They don't have to bat it around.''
I have moved out of the World Wide Sportsman Marina and I am launching my boat at the La Siesta Marina www.lasiestaresort.com mile marker 80.2 bayside when I am fishing in Islamorada. I am trailering my boat now so I may access some of the other great fishing areas we have here in South Florida, Biscayne Bay (some great permit and bonefishing), Whitewater Bay in the Everglades park etc. Checkout my website for complete details about these new locations. www.finhuntercharters.com All of the Biscayne Bay launching points are within a 45min drive of Miami Intl Airport,downtown Miami,and South Beach. If you are in Miami on business and want to get in an afternoon fishing trip give me a call. 305-393-2495
Thanks, Capt.Paul
