Tarpon & Goliath
July 02, 2017 Boca Grande 4 photos
Grouper (Goliath)
Grouper (Goliath)
Tarpon
Tarpon

Trip Summary

In my line of work, you fish will all kinds of people. I can truly say the Fleming family was a blast to fish with. They were vacationing here for the holiday weekend. We had a trip set up but they were eager to get out a day early. I picked them up after my morning trip and ran them a few miles out to hook into some goliath grouper. There had been big jacks out here earlier in the day, our plan was to hook up on a few using artificial baits ( metal jigs and a popper ) and turn them into something bigger! Dad and Swope hooked up on some huge jack crevalle. The perfect bait for giant grouper down below! The guys really gave it their all, hooking and catching multiple goliath grouper. Swope even jumped IN the water with his catch for a memorable photo! ( click on photos to enlarge ) These guys also help me wrap up the first set of fin clippings for FWC. They have a study going on using this species dna Day two we were on the search for tarpon. We cruised the beach until we found a pod of fish. Every spring/ summer these migrating fish begin to flood our beaches. This is my favorite place to fish tarpon. Its quiet, not as chaotic as fishing in the pass. Anglers seem to enjoy it as well, there is thrill in the hunt. Tarpon fishing is sight casting on a whole other level. The guys were true fishermen and hung in there during a slow morning bite. We must of fished this school for about an hour before they finally began to eat. Their patience paid off, and they were rewarded. Mac landed a nice tarpon, it put on a show. Getting in plenty of jumps making for a memorable catch. James (dad) captured these incredible photos of his fish. We sent him home with a scale, hook and leader he used in landing his tarpon. Theres nothing like catching your first tarpon, especially in Boca Grande.
Andrew Herzog
Boca-grande, Florida, United States
Big Bully Outdoors thumbnail
Explore inshore grass flats and protective mangrove shorelines of Charlotte Harbor & Gasparilla Sound. Big Bully Outdoors offers a year-round fishing adventure and never-stopping excitement. Join Captain Andrew, who’s been fishing his whole life...

Other reports from this captain