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More Fishing and Boating

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May is here and as we predicted, the larger adult tarpon are arriving along with an increase in the activity of larger snook. Both species have been caught and released in some of the local waterways, outer shoreline, nearshore wrecks and fish havens.

As promised, Captain Bill Jones turned in a report of catching and releasing some nice sized tarpon. He hopes to get pictures of the event from his clients soon so I will hold their names until we receive the pictures.

I get questions about what kind of bait to use for tarpon. The list is a long one that includes live pinfish, crabs, mullet, minnows, small jack, bluerunner, defined catfish and ladyfish. Many tarpon hunters prefer fresh cut bait. The final answer is if they are in the mood they will grab just about anything including a piece of cloth that has been soaked in fish slime.

Years ago in the 1950s at the Naples Pier we would use the intestines of Spanish mackerel strung on the hook like you would a night crawler for fresh water fishing. The tarpon loved it. The bottom line is to try have an assortment of bait and fish at least two ways at the same time. An example would be one rig set out with the bait near the bottom, another rig with a float keeping the bait near the surface.

Keeping an eye out for tarpon working the bait on the surface is a must but does not mean you will find them deeper near the bottom. Trolling lures, jigs or spoons can also raise a nice size tarpon and increase your chances of getting into a fight with a large snook.

Do not forget the four month closed season for snook started May 1 in Gulf waters and you need a state-issued tarpon tag in order to keep a tarpon for a skin mount year round.

I also get a question every now and then — do tarpon have any food value? To the best of my limited knowledge tarpon are not known to be a good food value mainly because they are very bloody and bony.

Years ago I did run into one exception in Belize, CA. I was talking to my guide about tarpon and to my surprise he noted they eat them. They are very bony and bloody but they soak the meat in saltwater to remove the blood and then boil the meat until the bones are very soft. They make fish cakes and fry the meat in coconut oil along with other seasonings.

Several anglers have reported hookups with larger snook and tarpon only to get cut off in the mangroves. This tip is a gamble but it has worked many times for me. If a fish is headed into structure or mangroves and you know you will not be able to stop it, give it some slack.

The gamble is the hook might fall out but your odds it will back off and turn in another direction are good. Reeling the line in gently until it is clear of any debris then restarting the fight can get the fish to the boat for a release.

It is a good bet we will now see an increase in the amount of bait from the passes and outer shoreline out with some nice size snook running the beach.

They will be hunting the mullet. The smaller snook will be closer to the beach feeding on the smaller bait. Walking the beach and fishing the passes with tipped jigs, lures and spoons during the early morning hours and late afternoon hours could be very productive.

Our offshore wrecks and any floating debris will find you some permit lurking near the surface by the time you read this article. While live crabs will be the most desired bait, do not rule out tipped jigs. Be sure to look for permit flashing in the clear water and take a close look as to just how deep they really are.

Many anglers will pull up to their favorite honey hole, see them flashing and begin to work the tipped jigs or live crabs closer to the surface than they really are. If you can see them flash but no action, fish a little deeper.

As in almost all species a hooked permit should bring some of the pack with them. Having your fishing buddies get their bait close to the hooked fish can start a chain reaction of continuous fish on the hook.

It is also that time of year for a heads up, friendly reminder, wearing a flotation jacket is also a great idea when wading the passes and sandbars in case the strong tide undermines your footing. Fishing with a buddy also increases your chance of getting help if one of you gets in trouble.

Never swim against the current, swim with an angler to the nearest land fall or another sandbar to keep you safe until help arrives.

Having a whistle attached to the jacket will help someone find you if it is near sunset and if help does not get there before dark. Anyone out there looking for you should turn their motor off for a short time to see if you are using the whistle or calling for help.

Last but not least, never tie a caught fish on a stinger and tie it to your waist as a barracuda or shark might try to steal it from you and get a bite of you instead of your prize catch.

A person can be swept out much faster by a swift falling tide than you realize. Years ago at Marco River Marina I got a call that three young girls had decided to swim across Caxambas Pass with an inexpensive plastic raft and were swept out to sea.

Bert Morris of the Sheriff Marine Patrol was on his way from north Collier County and we both knew time was important and he asked me to go as backup in case he broke down on the way. I did and was amazed how far offshore I found the three girls had drifted offshore. The kicker was the raft they were clinging to had been leaking and down to about half of its inflated size.

They were in panic and all wanted to get in the boat at the same time. I was able to calm them down and took them aboard one at a time. We were back to shore with their parents in no time.

My 26 years at Marco River Marina spawned many very interesting stories, some very serious and many with a funny ending. For example, several years ago Miss Lillian Carter, mother of President Jimmy Carter visited the marina.

Be careful out there.

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Red Stier is a weekly contributor to the Marco Island Eagle. Questions or comments may be directed to redstier@aol.com or 172 Trinidad St., Naples, FL 34113.