Headed to Cheeca Lodge in late January. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best guide down there for Tarpon?
They are usually pretty scarce around the Keys in Jan. I would say your best bet is the Everglades backcountry that time of year. A lot of the Islamorada guides run across Florida Bay up into the park though.
I fished with Capt. Wells Gable a couple years back. We didn’t chase Poons that day but he’s a good guy and worked his butt off for me. Caught several nice Snook.
You might want to contact Capt. Charlie Owens at fishkeys.bellsouth.net. He’s a good friend of mine and is operating out of Hampton Inn in Islamorada. Don’t know what he’s up to these days, haven’t talked with him in about a week, but tell him I sent ya’
I’m Lost. I’ve Gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, PLEASE ask me to wait.
…
The most tarpon I have ever caught in a night was early feb in islamorada. A friend and myself caught almost 30 fish in 3 hours. You should be able to catch 10-40lb tarpon with no problem. However, a strong cold front will shut the bite down completely. The key is to fish under lighted bridges with free lined shrimp on #20 flouro while the tide is pushing from the bay to the ocean. Very small hooks like a #1 live bait hook and your shrimp is only good for a handful of casts because he must be strong enough to swim upright. Hopefully this helps
Tight lines,
Michael Mattson
843-224-3542
captmattson@aol.com
Capt Johnny Johansen
305-522-4342
We were just down there in Sept and fished with him again. He is a great guide and will put you on what ever is available and biting at the time. We ran to the Everglades as well and caught fish every day til our arms got tired (one day with him, 2 for a tourney), but I don’t know how it will be in Feb, give him a call and find out, he is a straight shooter and will put you on fish.
Capt. Frankie Ortiz.
I promise you won’t be disappointed! If you don’t catch fish with him, none of those guys are catching fish. Not only is he a great fisherman, he’s also the most lively and biggest personality you’ll find. You’ll have a blast with him regardless if the fish bite or not.
I worked a three day tarpon tournament this past spring and while the overall catch numbers were low, he was in the top three as far as catches per captain. Also, there was an auction to determine what angler fished with what captain for the final session of the tournament and for as long as he’s been involved, he’s brought in the most money by a longshot each year.
You will not be disappointed with Frankie Ortiz. Just realize that you’re not going down there during ideal tarpon fishing time. The migration won’t be for a few more months but there are always resident fish. I was able to catch tarpon year round when I was down there.
We stayed at Cheeca last April and chartered Capt Rich at R U Fishing Charters out of World Wide Sportsman and it was first rate from the minute we spoke on the phone.
I would highly recommend him
Now to other end of the spectrum… whatever you do, do not do business at Robbie’s
Squid Row 2
22 Shamrock WA
Flounder Pounder 2
16 Sandpiper Skiff
Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!!
“I’d rather be a conservative nutjob, than a liberal with no nuts and no job”