Cliff and Mason Ondercin displaying a false albacore (little tunny) that Mason caught and released while tarpon fishing in the coastal gul.
Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had some action with tarpon in the coastal gulf recently. Cliff and Mason Ondercin, from Sarasota, fished several days with me. Cliff had numerous shots at tarpon with a fly one day and despite some refusals, he persisted until he jumped one. They also jumped a couple of other tarpon on spinning tackle with one broken off intentionally at the boat to save it from a hammerhead attack!
Another day we had a “blitz” of false albacore (little tunny) while we were tarpon fishing and they hooked up a couple of times, on a live bait and a DOA Baitbuster. Great job!
Tarpon fishing in the coastal gulf is a good option now but conditions are important. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is also good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Fishing dock lights in the ICW at night is usually dependable for snook and more.
Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
Rick is the owner of Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc. He's a full time fishing guide and outdoor writer based in Sarasota, FL. He’s been guiding since 1990 and is an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide here at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, the 2011 Orvis Outfitter of the Year.
