05-09-2002, 07:51 AM
For the past three evenings, we have been tarpon fishing at Government Cut. The fish have been hitting both live crabs and shrimp. During the outgoing tide, there has been a decent shrimp run. Prior to the outgoing tide and before dark, crabs have been the ticket. <br><br>On Monday evening May 6th, the goal was to learn about fishing for tarpon in the bay. While waiting for the conditions to get right, we fished on the south side. We missed hooking up on the first strike, but the second was a different story. Herb Orth of Miami had all he could handle while fighting a 110# tarpon. After landing and releasing the fish it was time to go into the bay. The first spot had no fish. At the second location, we caught 2 large mangrove snapper before the tarpon made its appearance. Jack Plummer of Miami, learned how to still get in some tarpon fishing even when the wind is blowing to hard to fish outside.<br><br>Tuesday evening May 7th was another of those dream trips. Before dark we caught and released a 130# tarpon. After it got dark, we put out a shrimp and crab. Almost every drift produced a strike. When the evening came to an end, the final tally for tarpon was 7 for 7. Them Eagle Claw L197 5/0 Circle Hooks sure did their job this evening.<br><br>Wednesday evening May 8th was a very challenging event. There were about 7 boats fishing on the south side of Government Cut. Two were anchored and the rest were drifting. As if on cue, the tarpon started biting during the late dusk period. Our first fish lead us toward another boat that was fighting a fish. Then it ran for a channel marker in the cut. We were still catching up to the fish when the hook pulled. Can't explain why, it just pulled. The second fish made a dash for the main cut and in the process swam under the anchored flats skiff. Some how we got our line under the skiff, past its anchor rope, and maneuvered between it and the jetties and continued chasing the fish. Next the fish swam under an inbound freighter and did not get cut off. We finally landed it on the north side. Our next hook up turned out to be the fish of the night. Once again it made a dash for the anchored flats skiff. This time we were able to stop it. When we got it up, it was a 30# permit. Some quick pictures and it was released. The final score for this evening was 2 for 3 in tarpon and the permit.<br><br>Tarpon fishing will remain very good throughout May and in to June. The fish will be averaging 90 pounds and up. If you have always wanted to catch a 100 pound or bigger tarpon, this is the time of the season when you will have your best shot. Give it a try or call me @ 305 620-5896 to book a charter.<br><br>Captain Dave Kostyo<br>Knot Nancy Fishing Charters<br>305 620-5896 Charter<br>305 732-2628 Beeper<br>www.rnfl.com/knotnancy<br>nkostyo@bellsouth.net<br><br>