August 2015

8/19/15 Everglades Tarpon Action out of Islamorada in August

I had Keith and his son Zack out today for some tarpon fishing in Islamorada.  We fished a 3/4 day getting out early a little before daybreak.  We were able to get a good throw on some mullet and caught plenty of bait to make our day with.  We fished the last of the incoming tide around Flamingo hitting some channels where there had been some fish in the last week.  The wind was cranking pretty good out of the south, especially for this time of year.  Not much as far as tarpon action there though we did get a big blacktip shark and a big lemon.  As the tide started to quit we worked our way out west towards the gulf.  I saw a free jumping fish and another bust near a shallow bank and we set up there to fish.  A big blacktip bit us off and then we moved a bit further down where some more busting was going on, though nothing but sharks gave us any love.  After that we worked our way further out to the fertile grounds where there had been good tarpon fishing the last few weeks.  We saw a few free jumping fish and tried to set up on them, though again nothing but sharks would bite for us.  We moved a couple times and I finally just went and sat on my numbers for the last 30 minutes.  As fate would have it we got lucky and Zack hooked a nice 50 lb fish we fought and landed.  He got some good boatside pictures and that was a wrap.  Hard work and perseverance paid off, the guys wanted to fish again tomorrow though unfortunately I wasn’t available though I made sure they were put in good hands with a fellow guide.  1 for 1

Capt. Rick Stanczyk

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8/17/15 August Islamorada Tarpon Fishing in the Everglades

Tarpon fished today with Jerry and his grandson Dustin from Texas.  We headed out early and stopped around Flamingo to catch a little bait on the way.  Didn’t see a whole bunch of bait, but was still holding pretty good from yesterday.  We did check a couple spots and caught a dozen or so mullet though.  We ran out off the beaches where we had some tarpon action yesterday.  First up Dustin caught a giant snook of about 18 lbs, very nice fish.  Then we got rocked up by what we believe was a goliath grouper.  After that we caught a sting ray and decided to move out where I was seeing a few tarpon busting.  Soon after we hooked up and Jerry landed a nice 25 lb fish.  After that we moved again and jumped another fish off, then hooked and landed a nice 50 lb fish.  After that Dustin was up we moved one more time and Dustin hooked up soon he had a nice 50-60 lb fish too.  After that we put them out one more time and Jerry hooked up another fish in the 50 lb range.  Great fishing up until 11:00 or so then things slowed down, tide quit around noon.  We tried a few other spots in the area and had a few shark bites but that was it.  Great day though overall these guys will be back next year!  4 for 5

Capt. Rick Stanczyk

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8/16/15 August Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing Report

Got booked for today and a few bookings during the upcoming week now.  All of a sudden I have a full week of fishing had to mark tuesday off so I can get a little break!  That’s a good thing though.  Today we fished out back for a 3/4 day.  We left out early and caught some bait on the way.  First stop bait was OK we got one decent throw and then a handful more.  Though stopped in another area since we were waiting on the tide anyhow and got a crushing throw to load the cooler.  We tried around flamingo where there had been a few tarpon as the tide started to fall.  Didn’t see much though we had some good shark activity with some big lemons and blacktips.  After that we ran out west and saw a few tarpon airing out.  Set up and soon we hooked a few big bottom fish and caught a lunker snook!  After that we hooked a nice 50 lb tarpon and caught him.  My angler Zeb was thrilled with his first poon.  We had a large goliath grouper rock us up too.  We tried to get his wife a tarpon after that and moved around a bit where I had seen some fish busting.  Soon she had one hooked up but unfortunately he came unbuttoned.  After that it was time to go home.  Will likely be giving it a go again tomorrow as I have some bait stocked away.  1 for 2

Capt. Rick Stanczyk

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