Biscayne nights report, 16 August

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

We fished the falling tide on Sunday and Monday nights this week and found small to medium tarpon in both docklights and up under bridges.  Since I'm still in the break-in period with a new motor, the Sunday was with a buddy - the Monday night was a charter.   That first night we jumped five or six fish, getting two to the boat for a release - the remainder jumped off in fine fashion.  We alternated between spinning gear with lures (mostly DOA shrimp) and fly gear.  I actually got to do a bit fishing myself for a change.  Here's a pic or two of one fired up small tarpon, about 20 to 25lbs and this old guy enjoying the ride...

 

with a 9wt rod (TFO, Mangrove Coast), an old Billy Pate reel, and a hooked up fish I was enjoying the night...

first time to the boat after a few minutes of slugging it out

second time to the boat, two or three more times and I was finally able to leader him for the release... Here's the pattern that fish ate... I call it "something shrimpy" since it's not exactly a shrimp pattern at all... 

 

The second night we found even more tarpon - but not one of them interested in anything we were working (just spinning gear that second night).  But we were able to turn it around with some docklight snook and jack.  Here's our best for the evening.. .

 

 

This time of year, hot as it is - night trips are a great idea...

 

"Be a hero... take a kid fishing"

 

Tight lines,

Bob LeMay

(954)435-5666

[SilverCreek 0]

I enjoyed the report and pictures.

Thanks for posting.

[caloosa bug 0]

👏 Good job Capt. looks like a blast. 

[niveker 0]

Agree with the others above. Always enjoy your posts, though I only get to the salt here in New England once or twice a year, if I'm lucky, and I've pretty much given up on spinning gear completely. 

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

In the backcountry of the Everglades most of our tactics (and gear, both spin and fly) would be very familiar to anyone that fished for bass… But when you add tarpon to the mix - things change… Big or small every tarpon is a distinct individual and no two tarpon behave the same when hooked.  At night we’re using relatively light gear, an 8 or 9wt.  For babies, fish less than 10lb,  we’ll use rods all the down to a 5wt.  We only break out the heavy gear when we’re faced with the big girls…

 

One other big difference is that along the coast this time of year many of the fish we hook have sharks after them the moment you’re fighting them to the skiff - where most will be released if possible.

[DFoster 0]

Great photos Bob!  9 weights and salt are an alien world to me.  I should visit it someday- looks fun!