I know this isn’t Florida but does anyone have any experience fishing Boca Grande?? Im heading there in 2 weeks with family and want to get a lot of fishing done. Any tips, tricks, or advise?
Employee at The Charleston Angler in the City Market. Want a hook up? Come see me!
Yes, I’ve been going down there the last several years, mostly for tarpon fishing, but also redfish, trout and snook. I try to leave the monster jewfish (excuse me, Goliath grouper) and the sharks alone 
I love Boca Grande.
Are you taking a boat with you? What size? What do you want to know? Boca is famous for the thousand pound slam. 1 tarpon, 1 shark and one goliath make a thousand [:0]
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I fished there about 20 years ago. It was Tarpon time and fishing in the pass was CRAZY. You could almost walk across it from one boat to the next. I remember several tarpon being eaten right beside boats. I was told that the local shark population has learned when all the tarpon will be in the pass and pick on the worn out tired ones getting caught.
We fished back in the flats and grassy areas and mostly caught trout. The mosquitos were awful. Pretty place though, lots of $ down there. Not me, I was mooching off a friend who’s uncle had a place down there.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
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It was Tarpon time and fishing in the pass was CRAZY. You could almost walk across it from one boat to the next.
If you think it was crazy 20 years ago, you should see it now [:0] During the main tarpon run there are hundreds of boats fishing the pass, a couple of feet apart, 3 foot chop usually and a very strong current. Multiple 100+ pound fish hook ups and fish jumping between boats all over the place, jumping over one and into the next. Passing rods boat to boat, It’s crazy alright!! I’ve been there 3 times in the last 5 years for the main tarpon run, don’t think I’ll do it again. Been there, done that, got the T-shirts
A few random pictures of the zoo…
Scenery was real good!
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
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Pretty place though, lots of $ down there.
Beautiful place for sure! Money for sure too [:0][:0][:0] I have a local friend who showed me around the waters on my first trip down there. He told me that the millionaires moved in about 20 years ago and bought out most of the locals. Then about 10 years later the billionaires moved in and bought out the millionaires.
A few random thoughts, while I’m waiting on fairing compound to dry.
Gasparilla Island is a unique place. They roll up the sidewalks early. There are not many restaurants, not many stores and they close earlier than I fish. They don’t allow any chain businesses at all, no 7-11 stores, no Holiday Inn, no Mariott, no BP stations, no billboards…
The toll bridge onto the island is about $10 a trip, so stop at the grocery store before you cross the bridge and get everything you need.
Remember to take your rods out of the T-top rod holders before going under the bridges 
The island is full of Iguanas, big ones! Pretty cool. Fishing is great. I’d be glad to share the spots I’ve had success with.
We stay at a small place called The Innlet. It’s perfect, efficiency with stove, fridge, microwave, everything you need, tie the boat up at your front door, boat ramp on site, easy access to ocean or back country… http://www.theinnlet.com/
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Another thing, if you are planning to fish the pass itself, it is so crowded that it has very specific rules.
http://www.bocagrandefishing.com/Rules.htm
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These rules are a guideline for all to follow. Due to the large number of boats of Boca Grande Pass, there must be some harmony among all involved. Keep in mind that the objective is to show clients and guests professionalism and a great time. By following these rules, we can all be winners and friends, hopefully. We have the best fishing in the world. Let's enjoy and preserve it."Short Drifting" is the most disruptive method of boat operation and it is despised by all experienced pass fisherman. It causes hard feelings and sets off a chain reaction when one crowds in between drifting boats, which then continues to the next boat causing chaos for everyone in the fleet. The end result is fewer fish caught and the more quickly spooked fish will move to another location. When finished with a drift, move back to the head of the pack on the outside of the drifting boats, NOT through them. Operate your boat in the pass among other tarpon boats at a rate of speed that does not create a wake, especially in areas of shallow water known as the "pan" and "hill". Keep the engine(s) running at all times and keep your boat positioned so as not to disrupt another boat's drift. Do not position your boat during a drift in front of or under the bow of another boat. Use tackle sufficient enough to control a tarpon with a minimum of 50 pound test line. Do not follow the fish. Once hooked, control the tarpon with your boat and take the fish out of the pack as quickly as possible before finishing the fight and releasing the fish. In case two boats tangle with each other's lines, the boat with the fish should move out of the fleet. The other boat with no fish should release his drag and then go alongsi
We probably wont be fishing the pass that’s for sure. Im going down with the family. They the old man is sponsoring the trip. We wont be getting a guide but will however be renting a boat. Im looking for some near by reefs, flats, coves, and other places to fish. What kind of tackle? Mono leaders? Steel leaders? types of jigs and plugs? The family (plus my lady) are putting the pressure on me to find them some fish. At the same time both my parents aren’t quite ‘intuned’ hunters or fishers and are under the impression that if you have a rod, a hook, and water, you can catch any fish in the world just by throwing a single unbaited hook in the water and let it sit…
Employee at The Charleston Angler in the City Market. Want a hook up? Come see me!
I grew up fishing in Boca Grande/Gasparilla/Charlotte Harbor, some of the best there is. Unless you really know what you’re doing, I’d recommend staying away from the pass. It’s not worth it really, fighting for a spot around 1 school of Tarpon with 100 other boats, it can get really nasty out there. Try out on the beach-side of the island early morning if you want to target them. There are two bays in Charlotte Harbor called Bull Bay and Turtle Bay. Skinny water in both of them but great spots for snook and reds. There’s also a good chance you’ll come across a school of Tarpon in the Harbor, they’re everywhere down there this time of year.
If you want a guarantee to put the family on some fish, buy some shrimp, anchor up just off any of the old trestles when the tide is moving either way, and drop your line up next to the pilings. You’ll catch mangrove snapper and small grouper all day. Be sure to use a good leader (30lb) or they’ll cut you off on the pilings all day too!
Redfish pass and Pine Island, short boat rides from Boca Grande on the south side of the harbor, are also really good. We used to fish Redfish pass late afternoons around dusk for big snook, lots of fun.
And yes, Gasparilla island is truly unique. I spent every summer on that island for prob 15 years. Its one of my favorite places in the world. Only way to get to it is by boat. No paved roads, one little church, no stores (unless thats changed recently). Beach is absolutely beautiful and even if there are a lot of people on the island, you probably wont be within 50 yards of the next person on the beach.
“…Livin’ and dyin’ in three quarter time”
-Jimmy Buffett, Nautical Wheelers
Im also curious on the spear fishing. I wont be able to hit any offshore reefs but I could maybe swing nearshore and inshore snorkel/free dive. Ive never done it before but would love to give it a shot. Any insite?
Employee at The Charleston Angler in the City Market. Want a hook up? Come see me!
The pass is a *****.I hooked a 200 pounder that pulled me all over the place.Guys were good and did all they could to get out of the way.I touched leader 1 hour later.it pulled us out past the Pass so it was pretty easy.I used the jig and plastic.After one fish i was done.i guess there were about 200 boats all over the small inlet.
Stonoman
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Im also curious on the spear fishing. I wont be able to hit any offshore reefs but I could maybe swing nearshore and inshore snorkel/free dive. Ive never done it before but would love to give it a shot. Any insite?
That’s not the place to learn spear fishing if the tarpon are still in[:0] It is one of the few places in the world where I won’t get in the water. There are sharks there that eat 200 lb. tarpon like potato chips. I snorkeled once at the old phosphate docks with a spear gun. There were goliath grouper there that looked like they could swallow me just by inhaling! Never pulled the trigger, ain’t going back in[:0]
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And yes, Gasparilla island is truly unique. I spent every summer on that island for prob 15 years. Its one of my favorite places in the world. Only way to get to it is by boat.
Say what? Gaspirilla is the island that the town of Boca Grande is on, and it has had a road to it for a mighty long time. It was first connected by a railroad bridge in 1905, first hotel in 1912. I’m 60 and there has been a road to it all my life.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
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Im looking for some near by reefs, flats, coves, and other places to fish. What kind of tackle? Mono leaders? Steel leaders? types of jigs and plugs?
Just use the same tackle and baits you’d use inshore here. No steel leaders unless you are fishing for mackerel or sharks. Trout are all over the grass flats, cast to the sand potholes. The mangrove shorelines have redfish, trout and snook. You can walk the beach front for snook also.
I’ll try to remember to get you some GPS numbers off my plotter tomorrow. I’ve got enough to keep you busy for a few days
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Cracker Larry, why is it only guys on the hooters boat? you got any charleston number for me larry? 
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Cracker Larry, why is it only guys on the hooters boat?
I don’t know, they didn’t tell me There were some other boats with hooters well represented out there though [:0]
Sorry, I don’t have anything much around Charleston except the same numbers everyone else has.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Sorry Larry, I was actually referring to Little Gasparilla island separated from gasparilla/boca grande by gasparilla pass on the north end of the island. No road to it.
“…Livin’ and dyin’ in three quarter time”
-Jimmy Buffett, Nautical Wheelers
Hey keep the info coming guys!! Im taking serious notes here!
Employee at The Charleston Angler in the City Market. Want a hook up? Come see me!
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Sorry Larry, I was actually referring to Little Gasparilla island separated from gasparilla/boca grande by gasparilla pass on the north end of the island.
Got ya 
Yeah, that’s a beautiful place for sure. That pass reminds me of the Bahamas:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
goliath grouper are in heavy numbers around the huge metal drums at the south end of the island, right before the pass. Across the pass are many small islands. we have caught plenty of reds and snook back in there, also look for some of old pilings near the small islands. great mangrove snapper and sheepshead bite around them. we go every year
16ft dixie
2006 25hp honda 4 stroke
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goliath grouper are in heavy numbers around the huge metal drums at the south end of the island, right before the pass.
Yes, those are the old phosphate docks. That place is loaded with fish of every size and description, but the goliaths there will blow your mind, and your composure, if you happen to be in water with them[:0]
It’s a great spot to fish, but if you are fishing for smaller species, reel them in fast or the goliaths will eat them. If you want to tangle with those bring a fighting chair, 120lb tackle, harness, belt, and a strong back. Toss a big live bait near those drums and hang on! I love watching people fight big fish, while I’m at the helm. That sport is better watched than participated in, IMO. I’m too old to fight 500 pound grouper.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
What about artificials? Stick with DOA shrimp under a cork near the mangroves? Gulp Crabs?
Employee at The Charleston Angler in the City Market. Want a hook up? Come see me!