Tarpon in St. Petersburg Fl

I am working on planning a trip to St. Petersburg to fish for Tarpon (Bucklist) Looking at going during full moon in June 7 - 12. Anybody on the forum familiar with St Pete and/or Tarpon fishing in general? Thanks in advance!

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

Grew up in St Pete and know the bay/area well. Are you bringing a boat, fishing from shore, or chartering while down there? You’ve got a lot of options for tarpon.

I’ll be down around that time south of there for tarpon as well.

Awesome! I am pulling my NauticStar. Probably stay at the KOA in St Pete

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

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Might want to check out the Florida Sportsman forums too.

http://forums.floridasportsman.com/

No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.

quote:
Originally posted by SouthernWake

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Don’t see it yet

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

I encourage hiring a guide for the first day or two to cut the learning curve and give yourself the best possible start.

Any method listed below you will see other boats doing and can pick up more on from watching them.
Here are some generic methods/spots to get you started.

Beach – Usually like to do this first thing in the morning. Look for groups of fish moving up and down the beach, move ahead of them and throw a crab or large threadfin in front. Stealth is key, move away and ahead of the fish and wait for them, do not play catch up or cut other boats off already set up waiting for them to move through. A good area to start is out front of the Don Cesar (giant pink hotel)

Skyway – Anchor on the down current side one of the round bumpers and drift the same baits back. I usually put a float and a free line out. Make sure to be ready to throw the anchor if you do hook one. Also don’t overlook bottom fishing here as there are grouper and snapper to be caught as well as Spanish.

Egmont Key – on an outgoing tide there will be a pack of boats drifting with lines out. Do not idle through the group start at the back and once you drift through circle back, do not cut anyone off.

Tarpon can be found in the bay but those spots are a little more guarded…

Don’t overlook snook and other fish worth targeting on your trip as well.

Thanks SW! Great information! Is there a boat ramp that is preferred?

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

My dad used to always target them in hurricane pass in the early morning with big mirrolures. That was circa 1990

“mr keys”

the ramp at ft. desoto isn’t bad. close to the bridge and egmont.

i would leave chas at 4 am, and be in st pete by lunch. drive safe.

Gene Morrison
Military Appreciation Day, Inc
Charleston Chapter Pres.

Boca Grand. Just came from Islamorada and it sucked.

I’m planning on going on this trip with JumpNCobia, Anyone ever used a fly rod? Recommendations for setup?

Thanks.

A Dudak

For the money it would take to get a quality tarpon fly set up hire a guide for less. They will get you far more shots at fish with a fly than you will alone, especially with little prior experience.
Imean this not to discourage you but to give you your best shot at getting one on fly.

Tarpon aside almost all my fly fishing on Tampa bay was done with a 7wt.

Thanks… I picked up an 8wt rod reel combo for Christmas to use on the lakes here. I don’t plan on using it the whole time, but would love to try it out. I’m used to Trout fishing in Pa with much lighter setups. I know it would be a stretch of my skills.

A Dudak

For easier fly fishing success look for fish in dock lights at night and throw a white deceiver or clouser.

I lived in Tampa, near Gandy from 2011-2014. For tarpon you can have some success near the skyway and south towards bradenton or anna Maria. I have a buddy Cameron Schurlknight that guides in Boca Grande Pass and kills it for Tarpon. It’d be worth it to let him get you on some fish. grandeadventures.com

As far as other fishing around Tampa/St. Pete, Upper Tampa bay north of the courtney campbell there are a bunch of mangroves that have a lot of redfish, snook, and trout. Weedon Island south of Gandy is ok if you go during the week, and Cockroach Bay is good during the week too. If you want to use live bait there is usually quite a bit just north of the gandy and in the flat near the st. pete pier. These aren’t any secrets or anything but you’ll definitely be able to get some fish. Let me know if you have any questions, I can give you some more specific info.

Scout 201
Yamaha 115

mtoddsolomon thanks for the great information…I reviewed the areas you mentioned for trout and reds and they definitely look great. I have never fished mangroves so we will definitely make are trip up to the Courtney area. One question I have is where is a good place to buy crabs for tarpon? We will need to buy bait for the first day until I get familiar the waters, etc…

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

The only tackle shop I ever went to was Gandy Bait and Tackle right beside the Gandy boat ramp. They have live bait and a lot of other tackle. Not sure on crabs though.

Scout 201
Yamaha 115

We fished w/ Rob Gorta in St Pete '15 & '16. Check out some of his youtube videos. Both times he launched from O’Neill’s Marina. They have live bait. Also keep your net handy because a lot of tiny crabs float in with the tide and you want to get them.

In '15 we filled the boat with bait (extra cooler for bait) then went to Passage Key Inlet. Most guides there “anchor” with the trolling motor. That year we chummed all the bait and landed 3 of 5. At one time we had 3 Tarpon hooked-up at the same time.

In '16 we did sight-fishing. The school we found behind Egmont Key didn’t want to bite, so we cruised the front beach of Anna Marie Island (no fish), then moved back in behind Egmont Key. This is the fish I saw, casted on and landed.

Remember your etiquette in St Pete. Don’t cut off others. Don’t interfere if a boat is hooked-up. There will be other boats fishing with you. Don’t point at the fish or the other boats will get a lot closer.

Regards

Nice Poon Denmark!!!

Thanks to all for the great information to help me plan for the trip! Reserv. has been booked!!!

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90