[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s Tarpon time! June traditionally is the month that tarpon will be rolling throughout the Big Bend region of Florida. The key to catching these inshore monsters is having the right gear to tackle them. A medium-heavy spinning rod paired with a 5000-7000 size spinning reel spooled with 50# braid will get the job done. A five foot 60# fluorocarbon leader tied to the braid using an Improved Albright Knot is also recommended to use with tarpon that can be pushing 100# and up. The key to live bait fishing these beasts is setting up in an area that fish are being seen and anchor. Rig up a good size pinfish or live mullet to a 5/0 off set circle hook and drift the bait under a slip-on cork. In the Lanark area, most tarpon anglers are fishing areas that fish can be seen moving over sandy bottom flats in four to seven feet of water.
Gag grouper and cobia are being caught in very good numbers in state waters all along the Big Bend. Look for good bottom in 35-40 feet of water and hold on! The state Gag grouper season is open until June 30th so take advantage of an above average year this year for bottom fishing. I fished public numbers a few times recently off Dog Island and limited out quickly with Gags on live pinfish and frozen menhaden. Kingfish are still hanging around structure all around the Big Bend. Rig up live bait to a light wire leader and free-line out the back of your boat while grouper fishing and more than likely it will get hit by a plus size king.
Redfish and gator trout catches will continue to stay hot in the month of June. Redfish will tend to stay close to structure in the summertime months and move off as the tide drops. Target oyster bars and rock structure at the top end of high tide and the first two to three hours of the fall. Work a top water plug or spoon to fool these opportunistic feeders. I am getting very good reports of boats limiting out on trout in the Carrabelle River area. Make sure you get a good look at the tides; Lanark, St. Theresa and Carrabelle River can get pretty shallow in certain areas. Work areas slowly and move off shallow flats as the tide falls; conversely, as high tide rises, move onto the shallows.
A number of anglers of FCKA.net say there have been fantastic reports of redfish and trout being caught around the bars on both sides of the Carrabelle River and inside Alligator Harbor. These fish have been caught in good numbers for anglers using Aqua Dream Living Spoons in gold. There have been really good numbers of sheephead and drum being caught in all areas of the Big Bend as well. Rustle up a few fiddlers on your way to the boat ramp or pick up a couple dozen live shrimp and try your luck on these saltwater convicts.
June is a prime month to begin targeting multiple species on any trip. So get out, support your local tackle shop and bend a rod!