Winter Time Tarpon Report

The Renegade Angler

(Pardon My Grammar)
Even though it’s towards the end of winter I’d say it’s better late then never to mention how crazy the Tarpon bite has been. Granted none of these fish are giant by anyone’s standards but they are still silver princes. This winter I went out about everyday chasing big Snook, Reds, Tarpon, & Trout, and just about every day I’d hook up to a bunch of these micro tarpon. I’d probably land about half them but that’s just the way it goes. I was getting these tarpon in and around rivers, canals, and bridges. I was mostly getting them on smaller lures. I got most of mine on DOA terroreyez, Yo-Zuri 2.25” minnows, mini mirrodines, and Marker54 Shrimps.
(Do not jerk the lures just reel them straight and vary the speed untill you get hit.)
(Report Not Complete)

(The 40” Snook Report Is Soon To Come)

lukkyracer

Nice little tarpon. Not sure about the pic with 2 out of the water at the same time.

Master of Bait

Awesome poons! They may not be monsters, but I think most FLA anglers would be thrilled with those.

Gotta give you the benefit of the doubt on the double-fisted tarpon. Was it a double header with a fishing partner?

I'm 0-for about 25 over my last year in Florida, mostly because I hook them when I'm targeting other species. I'm usually under-gunned and they come unpinned, lol.

Haven't hooked one in a while, though. Do you typically have better luck with them later in the day at this time of year?

Tight lines,

MoB

The Renegade Angler

@Master of Bait said:
Awesome poons! They may not be monsters, but I think most FLA anglers would be thrilled with those.

Gotta give you the benefit of the doubt on the double-fisted tarpon. Was it a double header with a fishing partner?

I'm 0-for about 25 over my last year in Florida, mostly because I hook them when I'm targeting other species. I'm usually under-gunned and they come unpinned, lol.

Haven't hooked one in a while, though. Do you typically have better luck with them later in the day at this time of year?

Tight lines,

MoB

Nope I landed one tarpon and they where still busting on glass minnows so I picked up my other rod and landed another, but yea I finally found a fishing buddy lol.

I’d say that the transition periods like dawn and dusk are always better but the double header was mid day. You just gotta find them. Most of the warm water areas hold them like canals and out flows. I’m not sure where your out of but i haven’t had to much luck with them in backwater areas. Although we haven’t been targeting them because we have gotten so many and we are looking for 40” snook and reds. I’d fish far up rivers where there is little to no current in canals. In the summer time it’s always so much better in general with some spillways being good in winter but being unfathomable during summer for Tarpon and snook. Idk the bite really doesn’t stop no matter the season.

Tarponator

Nice work on those little guys!

Have you tried at night?

andrewthe1

@The Renegade Angler said:

Nope I landed one tarpon and they where still busting on glass minnows so I picked up my other rod and landed another.

Now thats how you kill two tarpon with one stone, literally!

And why you cant take big ones out of the water anymore........

SaltySardine

^ Im with him on this. you left one out of the water to hook another? Too bad your mom didnt leave you on the sidewalk as a newborn to go have another kid. Also, targeting snook in winter when its mild is all good, but its been wicked cold - leave those guys alone.

Young and dumb. grow up little man and respect the wildlife

Bassin Assassin

I see no reason to be insulting and abusive. Express your opinion or disagreement with his not releasing the first tarpon before catching the second, but calling him "dumb" and demeaning him with that "little man" garbage is uncalled for.

permit_me

geeze what hate. Good on him for getting into the juvi poons and snook this time of year. This year was not real cold. Today we fished crystal river my buddy stated the morning off with a nice snook feeding in 62 degree water.

GratefulEd

Wow, SaltySardine. If you can enlist a couple other TROLLS maybe you can wreck this forum too?

Rich M

Salty - Let us know when you stop being a jerk. You epitomize a keyboard terrorist.

Renegade - good show with the fish - keep up the good work. Poons are fun, no matter what size. We had a cold-water fish kill over here - lost a good 100 tarpon in the 18-20 inch class (gators, crabs, birds, etc. were happy). I'm hoping some survived.

Also - as you can see, need to be selective about what you put on here. Some folks just like to bust on others - hold the fish this way or that, don't do this, don't do that. It will suck the joy right out of life it you let it - don't let it.

Gettnreddy

Who gave you permission to take them out of the water. Why not respect the law and unhook them in the water. Some fishermen frustrate me.

lukkyracer

It is not unlawful to take tarpon out of the water that are under 40 inches. However it is unlawful to be in possession of tarpon unless you think you may have a world record. So what did he do with the first fish? Throw it in the grass so he could look cool with 2 fish. That would be considered possession.

Bassin Assassin

The FWC gives anglers the right to remove tarpon up to 40" from the water to take a picture. Make sure you know the regs Gettnreddy before you start chastising others for not following them.

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/fish-handling/

Elk Chaser

Those fish are a lot hardier than they get credit for. Good report OP

FusionZ06

Chill bros - while tarpon are a cool fish getting the quick double is no big deal. They'll survive...

Firetruck1

@SaltySardine said:
^ Im with him on this. you left one out of the water to hook another? Too bad your mom didnt leave you on the sidewalk as a newborn to go have another kid. Also, targeting snook in winter when its mild is all good, but its been wicked cold - leave those guys alone.

Young and dumb. grow up little man and respect the wildlife

@SaltySardine said:
^ Im with him on this. you left one out of the water to hook another? Too bad your mom didnt leave you on the sidewalk as a newborn to go have another kid. Also, targeting snook in winter when its mild is all good, but its been wicked cold - leave those guys alone.

Young and dumb. grow up little man and respect the wildlife

@SaltySardine said:
^ Im with him on this. you left one out of the water to hook another? Too bad your mom didnt leave you on the sidewalk as a newborn to go have another kid. Also, targeting snook in winter when its mild is all good, but its been wicked cold - leave those guys alone.

Young and dumb. grow up little man and respect the wildlife

Firetruck1

Total GOOGAN

SaltySardine

I read this in a book - anyone know what they are describing?
a mythical, cave-dwelling being depicted in folklore as either a giant or a dwarf, typically having a very ugly appearance.

too easy

The Renegade Angler

To those it may concern, the tarpon where only taken out of the water for the photo and were only kept out of the water for 130-150 seconds max.

Master of Bait

Nice, Renegade. I'm pretty sure the trolls are just jealous that you could outfish them with your eyes closed. As you can see, most of us here don't take any issue with your pic. Keep on posting, I've enjoyed looking at those monster snook, reds, and (somewhat less monstrous) tarpon. Good on ya, son

duckmanJR

I don't really care...BUT..

By FWC's definitions...when you " landed " that first Tarpon....Then, left it to catch another...You " had reduced to possession "....So, You would be in fact... in violation...even if you let it go after a minute or two.

Tarponator

Give the kid a break. The water is cold and the fish will be fine.

releasegear

nice work renegade