Merritt Island Tarpon Fishing

SaltwaterSportswoman

It has been a blast catching juvenile tarpon out of the Merritt Island canals and ditches in the last couple of weeks with all of the rain we have been getting daily. There are a lot of factors rain has on you chances of catching fish in general. The first of course is the barometric pressure. The other primary effects are water temperature and fresh water. Rain affects water temperature when the water is warm by creating a thin cool layer on the surface. Depending on water temperature prior to the storm determines how long that layer will remain before being absorbed by the main body of water. Most of the time that calm just after a hard thunderstorm on a hot afternoon will produce some of the best fishing of the day especially for those of you wanting to throw top water lures. That cool surface layer seems to bring everything up.

What is crazy is to think that these dark small water systems are hosting one of the most beautiful fish, tarpon!
The small fish move far up the tidal creeks looking for small protected areas where they can live and escape their predators. Some of these fish become land-locked in small ponds and ditches as summer rains subside and the mangrove forest dries out. I am not sure if these specific tarpon grow larger and move out of the ditches?

I am fishing on fly and with artificial soft plastic baits. Early morning or just before sunset has been the best times for me. I find that from lunch time through the rest of the day that the bite shuts down.

duckmanJR

Nice work!

Tarpon Recon

One of my favorite places to fish. I remember taking a canoe down the canal that runs between Judson and hall road and midway through there was an opening my buddy and I caught 22 in 3 hours all of which were over 10 lbs freshwater fishing has never been the same since.....

Jettypark

Nice!!! thanks for the pictures and your insights...

bighardey

Nice ****!

Settin_Hooks

Great advise, nice fish!!

wareagle85

Nice ones, I love catching those little acrobats.

NSByak

Any particular flies that you prefer? Dying to get one on fly!

redjim

SSW, nice writeup and fish!

NSB, presentation is the key they will hit an assortment of flies if given in a pleasing manner. Most any minnow pattern will work. I have been lucky in the past three weeks and close to 60 releases, the rain really helps like SSW mentioned. A little white gurgler tied on something like a Gama SL 45 4# has worked the best. Also EP Everglades Special 2# has done well. Use the VERY best hooks you can get and keep them as sharp as a razor. I would suggest to mash barb for better penetration and resharpen hook after each fish.

Again not so much what you feed them yet how you deliver what you have.

Good Luck!

SaltwaterSportswoman

NSByak wrote: »

Any particular flies that you prefer? Dying to get one on fly!

I use just the clouser minnow, all light colors. Good luck.

on_the_rocks

Nice fish?
When are we fishing together?

BigwaveDave

Nice fish and Nice report! My wife and I saw you on television she was so impressed with you. You have encouraged her to start fishing with me more often thank you.

NSByak

Thanks for the replies. I'm interested in trying this but its kind of a drive for me to scout out. Was thinking of driving the canal roads and parking if I see something fishy? Looks like neighborhood area's from the bit of research I did on Google Maps. Anything I need to consider (don't want trouble from anyone while I'm there)? Would appreciate some ditch fishing etiquette (if there is such a thing?)