[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ay brings hot weather, so bring out the big rods and get ready for the silver king, the tarpon. Tarpon start to migrate north along the beaches, inlets and river to spawn. You will need some heavy gear to land one, as well as to make sure you catch and release them alive. Standard setup will be 8-foot rod and a medium to heavy 20-pound to 50-pound spinning rod. I use Blackfin Rods, built right here in Stuart. A Penn Spinfisher V5500 or higher loaded with 65-pound braid. For the leader, I use 80-pound to 100-pound to bring one to land or boat tied to a 7 or 8 circle owner hook. If you are casting, change out plugs to circle hooks to get the hook in the mouth. Best baits are white colored, greenies, mullet and pinfish. You can get these baits using a cast net. Look for deep holes where tarpon like to hang out. Stuart Causeway, Jensen Beach Causeway, Fort Pierce Inlet, Little Mud Creek and Big Mud Creek are great places to catch these fish. Moving tide is the best time. Snook fishing will be hot starting with warmer weather. Snook will be up early so get there during low light or dark times. Fish the lights and moving water. Toss out a pinfish or mullet on a circle hook under the lights and hold on. Fish docks that have lights that are facing down in the water. Bridges and fishing piers like Jensen Beach and Stuart are great places to catch these fish. Beaches and inlets will hold these fish to right along the edge of the trough so you don’t have to cast too far.
Big jacks will be spawning. Fish up 40-pounds can be caught with spoons, topwater plugs, chuggers anything that looks like a mullet or baitfish. Once hooked, hold on; these fish don’t know the word quit.
Tight lines!
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