Anglers on recent Quiet Waters fishing trips with Captain Brian Boehm, enjoyed good tarpon fishing and excellent dock light fishing. Tarpon season is nearly wrapped up, but there are a few fish still lingering around in the Gulf. We’re still doing a lot of fly fishing during our trips, but we are mixing in some light tackle as well. Temperatures have been warm during the day, so we have been getting early starts or focusing on dock lights at night.
Snook have been on the beach and in the passes. Baitfish patterns have been working the best during the day for fly anglers. Light tackle anglers have done well with paddletails and mirrodines. At night, the snook have been incredibly active. We’re catching good numbers of fish on the dock lights and we are finding some nice sized snook as well.
The deep grass in Sarasota Bay has been a good place to get the rods bent early in the morning. Seatrout, bluefish, and other species have been keeping us busy. There was a time when we were finding the occasional jumbo bluefish on the grass flats. It was not uncommon to hook up with a bluefish over 15 pounds while they were around. It has been a few weeks since we last encountered one. Recently, we’ve found small schools of jack crevalle busting baitfish on the surface. They have provided some great entertainment.
This was a memorable tarpon season for fly fishing anglers that fished in Sarasota, Florida with Captain Brian Boehm. We hooked a bunch of tarpon and got plenty boatside throughout the season. Tarpon season was full of unforgettably visual eats and epic jumps. Getting dragged out into the Gulf for extended battles with the silver king was the norm.
As previously mentioned, there are still adult tarpon hanging around in the Gulf, though the numbers of fish are down significantly from peak season. Fly anglers that have the patience to wait longer for fewer shots have a great chance at hooking a late season fish.
Juvenile tarpon have been rolling at day break in Sarasota Bay and have provided good targets for early morning anglers. We are doing quite well hooking juvenile tarpon at night on the dock lights. We’ve had success using both fly and light tackle.
The key for anglers fishing during the day in the coming months will be to get out early before the heat makes things uncomfortable for both the angler and the fish. Night time dock light fishing is going to be very good for the next few months. Anglers should have regular opportunities at juvenile tarpon and healthy size fish. The occasional redfish and seatrout can also be expected on the dock lights.
Thanks for reading,
Capt. Brian Boehm
Quiet Waters Fishing
941-400-6218
Sarasota, FL
