I spoke with Robert at Fishn' Frank's Bait & Tackle in Port Charlotte this afternoon. He was telling me that tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass is very good, but you have to use caution. Strong easterly winds combined with an incoming tide can send wave heights in the pass to 7ft in a short amount of time. The largest number of tarpon are being taken early in the morning from sun up until around 10am. Another good bite is occurring in the afternoon, but only lasts about two hours. Tarpon in the pass are averaging between 120lb and 140lb. Blue crabs, pass crabs, pinfish, and greenbacks are the best live baits. Break away tarpon jigs are the standard artificial. The large number of sharks that normally plague the pass have not shown up yet. Cooler then normal nights have kept water temperatures lower then the sharks normally like. Cobia fishing in Charlotte Harbor is good. Look for cobia around structure or following large rays. Pinfish and noisy artificials work great on cobia. Lots of redfish are being caught in Charlotte Harbor. Most are in the 6lb - 8lb range, but many reds over the slot limit are also being caught. Robert tells me that they are taking top water plugs, such as Zara Puppies and Jumping Mullet, early in the morning. Later in the day jigs, cut ladyfish or cut threadfins are working best. Snook season is closed in the Gulf Region, but there is great catch and release snook fishing on the beach and in area passes. For more information contact;
Fishn' Frank's Bait & Tackle
941-625-3888
4425 Tamiami Trl #D
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
www.fishinfranks.com/
