The tarpon fishing remains to be a hot bite. On the weaker quarter moon tides I’ve been fishing beaches, bridges and backwater areas that have been holding tarpon. The best baits have been small blue crabs, pass crabs, 3-4 inch pin fish and threadfin herrings. On the stronger new and full moon tides I’ve been fishing in and around the passes. The best baits have been small blue crabs, pass crabs, squirrel fish and mutton minnows. To the right is a picture of a nice tarpon landed by Jesse Ford on a recent charter with me.
On the inshore scene the last few weeks of heavy rain has really triggered a tremendous snook bite. The rains have dropped the water temperature and created a feeding frenzy. I’ve been targeting snook pretty much all over. There are snook in the passes and on the beaches preparing for their spawn. There is also plenty of snook in the back waters and on the flats as well. My number one snook bait is always a scaled sardine or what locals call white bait. If targeting snook in the passes or beaches a pinfish or pigfish is a good choice to try to eliminate the smaller males and target the larger females. If doing so please use adequate tackle to land them quickly and support the fish properly if removed from the water for a quick photo. Remember those large female snook are responsible for making more snook for the future and their safe release is very important. Redfish and trout have been biting good as well but to be honest I’ve not targeted them much with all the tarpon and snook fishing I’ve been doing.
Looking ahead to July I’ll still be tarpon fishing but I’ll also start to take advantage of the summertime mangrove snapper bite. They have already started to school up good and the bite will just get better as we move deeper into summer. I’ll also begin to run scallop charters in the beautiful crystal clear waters of Homosassa, FL. When scalloping I look for a grass bottom that has a decent mix of sand holes in the 3-6 ft depth range. Scalloping is like an underwater Easter egg hunt and is great family fun. If you’ve never done it, I highly suggest you do so.
If you’re looking for a charter I can be contacted at 863-224-1418.
Capt. Bobby Woodard
Fly ‘Em High Charters
WWW.Captain-Bobby.com