Fishing Boca Grande
7 May 2006

 

Busy is an understatement.  Fishing this week has been super.  Of course, the big news is tarpon.  They are  

everywhere.

 

Fished with Bud Swindel of Sarasota and his quest, owner of Saddleback Winery in Napa, Ca. with fly and spin on  

Monday.  WE caught several bluefish, seatrout and ladyfish.  On Tuesday I fished with Steve Stadler and his  

son-in-law in Sarasota for trout and mackerel.  Found tons of bait off Siesta Key but no striking fish.  Ended in  

the upper bay catching lady fish on fly.  Lots of fun.

Wednesday, Ron Whiteley and I traveled to Stuart, Fl. to give a presentation on behalf of the Florida Council FFF.   

After the meeting we fished with Jin Harter under the lights.  Jim took snook on a Clouser and Ron & I took nice  

seatrout to 22 inches.  The next day we fished with Jim again with little success, but lots of good fun and great  

opportunities.

Steve Parker and Frank Langford (sp) fished Pine Island Sound on Thursday.  Steve fought a 135 lb (est.) tarpon for  

twenty minutes or more before breaking the butt section of his leader.  Frank cast to fish with no takers after 

that.  Later Frank took a nice redfish from under the bushes.  Steve also caught reds in the back country on fly.
 

Pete and Kathy Smith of Anchorage, AK. fished Friday.  Pete started the day with a 100 lb+ 'poon near Gasparilla.  

We fished hard over fish until lunch with no success. The Fishery Restaurant offered a welcome respite.  Pete and  

Kathy took several bluefish and ladyfish in Turtle Bay.  The tarpon we saw there disappeared when run over by a  

tournament anglers speeding ( it is a 25 mph zone) through them.  The worst of the discourteous anglers because they should know better.  Kathy Smith rounded out the day by taking a average (100 lb) tarpon on a 12 wt. with a  

black/purple Puglisi pattern.  A tangled line and broken leader elicited an unrepeatable response.

Tarpon are hot right now.  It's the time to go.  Call or Email for dates.

Fish Hard,
Pete

www.floridaflyfishing.com