The Gulf of Mexico really came to life this week! Offshore reports are stacked with wahoo, big red snapper at about 200′, scamp and yellowtails as well. Two massive cubera snapper were caught during the Snapper Slapper tournament last week. Monsters! Jumbo mangrove snapper have been reported non stop from 8lbs to 10. African pompano, sailfish and mahi mahi were being reported from 50mi. Some cobia on the nearshore wrecks but reports have been spotty. Tarpon have picked back up after some spawning action on the last moon but have been steady all week. Pinfish are the bait of choice at the moment but you may want to still dip crabs when you can. Inshore snook and redfish action have been HOT!! There have been some snook on the beach and the reds have been decent sized on the flats. Night fishing has been fantastic with juvenile tarpon, mangs and snook on the lights.

Wishing a safe and Happy Fourth of July to all!! Tight Lines!

Well, we are half way through tarpon season and so far its has been one of the best we’ve seen in years!! Great numbers these last few weeks with some absolute GIANT fish being reported. Beach action has been great primarily in the mornings with passes being hot in the afternoons on the outgoing tides. Fly anglers have been doing extremely well also fishing black and purple patterns as soon as the sun is up. Crabs are still working well but we have been hearing that a lot of fish are being caught on pinfish and threads also. Red snapper season started on June 1st and is off to a phenomenal start despite some high winds earlier this week. The larger snapper are being reported in about 130-160′ of water. Several wahoo were reported a few weeks ago from a bit further out. Red grouper are still consistent in about 100-140′. Big mangrove snappers, yellowtail and scamp mentioned as well. Cobia have been spotty but still around, nearshore wrecks have been holding cobia as well as permit. Beach snook have been super plentiful these past couple weeks specifically around south Lido park area. South Siesta key all the way to turtle beach have had mentions of snook this week. Huge sheepshead caught at Venice jetty this week on a 5″ paddletail by one of our customers!! Redfish action in the bay has been great, bait is moving around frequently but has been consistent around bird key park and south Lido. Night fishing is on fire!! A great way to beat the heat and the lights have been loaded with snook and juvenile tarpon! We do not book guides directly through the shop but are more than happy to recommend one for whatever type of fishing you’re interested in. As always, stop in and see us with any questions!

Tight Lines

The gulf has really come to life these past few weeks. Wahoo have been reported roughly 200′ of water. Mutton snappers from the 120′ range have been cosistent along with red groupers and mangroves. Several scamp were reported this week as well. Kingfish have been reported all week from the beach out as far as 20 mi. Threadfins are thick off of the beach which draws in those big smokers. Cobia are still thick from the pass and out several miles off of the beach. Tripletail have been thinning out a bit but still being mentioned. Pompano fishing has been at its best lastely! Most action happening off of the beach and in the passes. Spanish mackerel have been loaded off of point of rocks. There are still plenty of sheepshead in the bay to bend rods and live shrimp are still best best for them. Trout action has been hot along with some nice reds and snook showing up on the flats. Lots of juvenile….and some adult tarpon have been caught at the bridges at night the past week. Stop in and see us with any tackle questions or needs!!

Tight Lines!!

****UPCOMING SEMINARS!!!*****

THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH 5:30PM– CAPT. GEOFF PAGE will discuss different tactics for landing the INSHORE SLAM! Snook, redfish, trout and tarpon!

TUESDAY, APRIL 23RD 5:30PM–CAPT. JEFFRI DURRANCE will be talking TARPON!!! Along with different methods of baiting, etiquette and boat placement!

NO RESERVATION IS NEEDED

Inshore and nearsore fishing have been the name of the game recently with weather inconsistencies making it tough to get offshore. The nearshore reefs have been very productive on the calmer days with steady reports of mangrove snapper, lane snapper, porgies, and amberjacks. Nearshore ledges have also been producing some decent hogfish these past few weeks. Live shrimp rigged on a 1/4oz or 1oz Hogball depending on depth is the rig of choice. Triple tail reports have dwindled a bit but just inconsistent with the weather. When they’re seeing them, they are eating and they are not small. Inshore pompano reports have been steady as well with most reports coming from the flats and passes. This will also vary depending on water temps. Sheepshead are a best bet!! Constant sheepshead reports with no end in sight! Any structure, docks pilings, rocks, and oyster beds are great spots to look. Live shrimp are suggested along with fiddler crabs. Frozen shrimp works as well but has a tendency to get soft and fall off the hook very quickly. More redfish being reported every day and already a few snook mentioned on the flats! Temperature fluctuation will change things a bit these next few weeks, but bring on the spring fishing!!

Tight Lines