Fishing with Capt. George Tunison | Heed the weather reports and keep on fishing
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With Erin thankfully headed north and away from us, let's all hope the newest tropical disturbances follow a similar path. In the meantime, keep in close contact with current weather reports, stay well hydrated, use common sense when planning a trip and keep on fishing.
This past week three brutally hot days on the water produced an inshore mixed bag as we caught pompano, redfish, snook, Spanish macs, small trout and sharks, and jumped a few tarpon.
Tarpon are scattered with folks still hooking up in Captiva and Boca Grande passes and around the deep holes in Charlotte Harbor. Both sides of Charlotte Harbor, the west wall and to the east just outside the Burnt Store Bar have been hosting tarpon and in some cases in very shallow water.
The bottom of Charlotte Harbor or north Matlacha Pass off the Two Pines area are always worth a look especially just before sun-up.
For those on night-shift tarpon duty, hit the local bridges with an assortment of different sized and weighted soft plastic swim-baits. Often the fish prefer a straight eel pattern while at other times a heavier vibrating paddle tail configuration gets their attention. Depending on tides, tidal flow speeds, weather influences, bait locations, etc., the fish can be stationed from close to the bottom to chasing bait on the surface, so having a good assortment of different weight jigheads to cover the water column is a good plan.
On one of those great nights when the fish are up on or near the surface, an unweighted 8 to 10-inch eel can be potent medicine. Try rigging the bait with a screw lock hook which leaves the hook fully exposed resulting in more hook-ups. If you're not familiar with this rigging method, then check out the Hogy website and find their Soft Circle Hooks with the spring attached to the bottom of the hook bend and held in place with a soft bead. Simply screw the spring in the nose of the bait and start casting.
Experiment with retrieve speeds and action with this floating rig but over the years I've had the most success with a simple straight line, non-jerking or erratic action, slow to medium retrieve which can result in the bait being quietly inhaled to a heart-stopping huge surface explosion. Retrieve this bait just outside the bridge lights shadow line and hold on. A straight non-paddle tail Hogy surface eel can also be used to intercept day cruising coastal beach tarpon. Like cobia, tarpon love to chew on eels.
Yellowtails, grunts, mangrove and red snapper, red grouper, sharks and sporty barracuda are offshore waiting for the weather-wise angler. Plan your trip carefully so you make it home in one piece. If there's any question, stay inshore or hit near-to-the-coast GPS numbers and still have a great fishing day.
It's no secret that kayak fishing has exploded over the last several years and the amount of new gear that comes out each year to make the kayaker's life easier is quite remarkable. Obviously space is at a premium in such a tiny gear-crowded craft so keeping it small yet efficient is the key. A few things I've seen recently are worth passing on.
What's 5.24 inches wide, 8.96 inches tall and 10.24 inches long and can be installed anywhere even upside down in your yak? LiTime's new lithium 12-volt battery which weighs in at just under 20 pounds and retails for $256. The small Newport LoPRO lithium battery comes in 12, 24 and 36-volt sizes and ranges in weights from 22 to 31 pounds but pricier at $599 – $999.
Increase your range and all day comfort by installing Minn Kota's new 12-volt, 36-inch trolling motor ($1,499) with all the newest features including spot lock. Purchase the MKA-21 quick release and installer bracket ($42.50) to mount this to your kayak.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.