After a couple of months trying for a Tarpon, success was at hand.
Ran to one of my favorite areas in search of Reds, still no grass so the prospects were dim; Bait around the spoil islands is fairly heavy when a few scattered a quick cast to the area with a popper nailed a 17 inch Trout. Not a bad start. Worked the edges of the Mangroves and managed a 17.5 inch Snook. This is encouraging. As I worked my way out of the shallows a Splatter Poler started to fish one of the deeper edges. Saw him land one good sized fish, from the flash, probably a Ladyfish. They have been active on the flats. Measured a pair a couple of weeks ago and they were 21 inches to the fork. Commercial boat moved to another area that I like so I moved on down to an island that holds Snapper. Did not see him hit any fish he left and headed North. Hit the Snapper hole, one short and nothing else. On the outside a 20.5 inch Trout nailed the Gulp. Worked a few edges on the islands, nothing. Back to the canal. Came into the back opening, not a sign of bait or Tarpon, hopes sinking low for another week. Pitched the Gulp to the Mangrove edge, maybe a Red in hiding. As the Gulp dropped a Silver Flash came off the edge, and it was off to the races. First thought was big Snook. A long run and a circle back to the boat and I could see that it was a Tarpon in the 20 to 30 pound range. Success at last. Three more runs and she came to where I could catch the leader and get the hook out. A little disappointed that she did not jump one time. Moved back to where she hit and started using a hard bait. Landed a pair of Trout. One measured 19.5 inches and the other was 14 inches.
Fishing is slow, but is improving as the summer passes.