Of course, we have plenty of other fishing available around here now; but Silver Kings are the bright shinning stars. We are blessed with thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of giant Tarpon in and around the Boca Grande area now. They have migrated here to gather into spawning aggregations and will come and go for the next few months. June definitely has the most fish, but most boats too. Snook fishing is great now also, but we can not keep any. Trout and Redfish are our table fare for now with some tasty Permit available, if you are patient. We caught Spanish and King Mackerel last month and some should hang around since most fishing has been behind about a month.

Yes, the economy has slowed things down but that also means fewer boats, and everyone is glad to have your business; so, make the best of things and go fishin’. Boca Grande Pass is world famous for its red hot summer Tarpon action. The Pass got too crazy for me back in 1995 so I fish everywhere but the Big Pass in season now. I have been lucky enough to live and guide here year round since 1981 and I just got spoiled with sight casting to schools of big Tarpon without the crowds and impatient skippers. Both opportunities offer hot Tarpon action. Traditional live bait Tarpon fishing at night is also fun and I recommend any of the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association members who offer this service.

Try the full moon, it is beautiful; I do miss this. You are welcome to bring your own boat down here but if she is not set up with necessary gear you are making your fun into work. Try a local experienced guide and enjoy the experience. Snook are gathering up finally. They were way behind schedule for the eating season due to cooler weather. We caught some good fish and had fun but not the numbers we have been spoiled by in the past. Fish are packed into the bait house basin at my home port, Stump Pass Marina, right now. So things have picked up since it warmed up. Catch a few and then try something else; please don’t beat up the spawning schools. Dolphins have become a major problem and you must stop fishing and move when they come over and eat your released fish. It’s against the law to feed dolphins!

We use only circle hooks to help protect released fish. Have fun just be respectful and don’t over do it; there are a lot of fishermen now. We have had some big fish around. We had a Snook spit out a twenty-one inch mullet as she shook her head at us after eating our whitebait; that was a big Snook! Trout and Redfish are doing fine. We have to work at it some days but can usually get you a nice mess of fresh fish for dinner and share great times fishing. Use the noisy corks here; they help attract hungry fish. Live minnows are best baits but soft plastics are productive and catch larger fish; even under those noisy corks. Concentrate effort around the deeper grassy edges for baitfish schools and be patient. We do have some powerful oversized Reds for rod benders.

Try the flats early AM. Permit are schooled up on the near and offshore reefs from about five miles and out. Try live shrimp or small crabs if you can get ‘em. Catch a couple for dinner and go play with the Cobia, big Barracuda or goliath Grouper to wear out your anglers. Waters have been crystal clear and offer exciting opportunities. You will need to be quiet and patient with spooky Permit. Spanish and King Mackerel were abundant in May and some should hang around through summer. The Macks are fun on light gear and abundant tasty treats. We anchor up and deploy frozen chum bags and live minnows for bait, with light wire or forty pound mono. Long shank hooks help prevent some cut offs on the mono. Be patient and let the chum work for you to attract and hold hungry fish. We just use bigger baits for the Kings. Carry plenty of ice to keep Macks fresh and enjoy some great dinners. Watch out for the sharp teeth! It gets warm fast now, so start out early and watch out for those evening thunderstorms. Be safe and have fun. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard Past President of Florida Guides Association and Winner of 1999 Mote Marine Award info@captvan.com www.captvan.com