Recently I was tarpon fishing in Boca Grande. The trip is a yearly family tradition. My husband, son and I prefer to fish the beaches and Charlotte Harbor rather than the often crowded and famed Boca Grande Pass.
Let’s get one thing clear here, I love to fish and I am a non-professional fisher-lady, actually somewhat of a novice at the sport. Although a novice I was taught some basic fishing rules and etiquette, as I fish with a well known local guide by the name of Captain Scott Moore.
During our trip I personally hooked the tarpon of a lifetime! I fought the huge fish for more than 30 minutes when another angler cast into the pod that I was fishing, crossing my line. Thinking he had a fish on, he attempted to set the hook, and cut my line, I lost my tarpon. I was not happy.
I wanted to scream profanities but knowing my Captain would have not tolerated any aggression - I actually just sat down and had a bottle of cold water. Captain Scott handled the situation with Captain grace and aplomb. It was his gentleness that made me think that perhaps the angler had no idea of what he was doing, or maybe he just didn’t care, but it made me aware that there are a few things that anyone attempting to catch a tarpon should know.
These are a few basic rules of etiquette that will increase everyone’s odds of actually catching a tarpon and keep everyone happy.
1) Running an outboard motor close to a school of tarpon will spook them and cause them to leave the area.
2) When making a presentation to the fish, TURN OFF your motor well away from the school. Make the final approach with an electric trolling motor of just drift into the casting range of the fish.
3) When another boat is working a school of tarpon, don’t approach them. Wait your turn, and consider that it might be a Captain who makes his living fishing.
4) If another boat hooks a tarpon close to you, give them room to fight the fish. Motor in the opposite direction slowly, or just sit still and let them move away from you. They will have a better chance of landing their fish and it may prevent a tarpon from jumping in your boat and smacking you in the head!
5) If you are just cruising an area where other anglers are fishing be mindful that it is tarpon season and give them a wide berth.
Tarpon season can be fun for everyone if we just show some simple kindness to our fellow fishers and other boaters.
Article by LucyLu
I was born a commercial fisherman's daughter in Cortez, an old fishing village off the west coast of Florida where you can still experience "Old Florida" and get a really good grouper sandwich. I went to school and became an anesthetist, after privileged years of practice, I jumped ship to work in the family business - Cannons Marina. I love my job and the view. I am crazy about my dog. Being out on the water is magical. I still get giddy every time I see a dolphin. Often I brag that I had the opportunity to swim alongside a humpback whale - it was freaky and pretty amazing. Fishing for tarpon and marlin make me happy. My life is no doubt boating, but I also love paddle-boarding cooking and travel.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
good post. thanks for the tips.
Twenty five years ago,my first trip to Boca Grande,we called it “Yankee’s invade Paradise”we made some foolish mistakes.One thing for sure down in that area,they let us know right away.We almost got smacked in the head on that trip.
Way to go angler!
I loved that article. If the Captain Scott is the one I know, I think the lessons he brings back from his experiences and teaches us landlubbers makes him a fine man to learn from. We love Cannon’s Marina. Pat McCarthy
Yea, Angler!
Can’t wait for Tarpon fishing! It is the most fun you can have with your family.
I am familiar with the Captain, but, who is the writer?
What a fish story ,so how big was it now?
It was HUGE!
Hi Holly- The was the fisher-lady-Lucy!
Thanks-
Lucy Miller
Lucille, as you know I have been an avid tarpon fisherman for over ten years with my own boat.
I agree there is definite fishing etiquette when it comes to megalops atlanticus. However, there is a lot of myth as well. Some of the new 4 stroke engines are as quiet as a trolling motor and dont spook the fish at all. I have had them swim right up to my boat. I also have a rule that if I cant boat the fish in 20 minutes I let it go. By working the fish sideways you can get it away from the pod and land a fish up to 150 pounds in 20 minutes.Keeping the fish in the pod causes more chances of abrasion on your line and it’s often that another fish
hits the line and snaps it. I have practiced this and timed it many times. I think it is better for the fish not to have hours of fighting.
PS: google Michelangelo and the tarpon.
I discovered on the Sistine chapel where he depicted Noah , He painted Noah with a tarpon by his side. No mistaking it.. they must have once been plentiful in the Mediterranean and no one until now ever noticed it!
Hey Mary-
Thanks for your input and right on!
I did google Michelangelo and the tarpon and found only a note posted by you but no photo? But nonetheless, I know for sure that you are a brillant photographer, artist and fisherlady and I will be looking for Michelangelo and the tarpon the next time I am in Rome.
Thanks again and come visit us!
There are lots of myths indeed. I think the one about the four stroke engine not effecting tarpon is one of the latest.
Tarpon swim up to the boat because they’re curious, engine or not. I fish shallow water and attempt to approach them without even the trolling motor. They might not spook on a four stroke, but I guarantee you they know you’re there.
Drift to them or use a push pole and you’ll see your odds of a hook up increase.
Hey Rusty-
I agree with you about motors and either drifting quietly or even using a push pole. But the fact remains, that a four-stroke Yamaha Motor is much better then not having one at all!
Take care-