Travel Guide
The smaller, more popular passes like Channel 2 can get crowded quickly, especially on a tide change or around sunset, so good manners are paramount. If you're moving into or out of a fleet of anchored boats, do so slowly, and never cross closely behind another boat.
Try to figure out which way the fish are moving, and if you have to get in line, do so down-current, far behind the other anchored boats. Nothing will draw the ire of a fellow tarpon fisherman like moving into position in front of those who arrived before you.
And if you drop off of the anchor after hooking a fish, get on top of the fish quickly and wind your way through the fleet carefully, doing your best not to foul their lines or interfere with their fishing.
By staying right over the fish, you maintain better control, and if the fish decides to go under the bridge, you can easily determine which opening they will go through. If you have lots of line out, you'll almost certainly get cut off on the bridge abutment.
WHAT: Tarpon
WHEN: Spring and Summer
WHERE: Florida Keys, Islamorada to Marathon
WHO: It's easy to fish Keys passes on your own, or you can contact one of the middle Keys marinas listed opposite to book a charter. Many captains offer short four-hour charters around tide changes.
Islamorada
Holiday Isle
305-664-2321
www.holidayisle.com
World Wide Sportsman
305-664-4615
www.worldwidesportsman.com
Bud N' Mary's
800-742-7945
www.budnmarys.com
Marathon
Hawks Cay Resort
800-432-2242
www.hawkscay.com
Captain Hooks Marina
800-278-4665
www.captainhooks.com
The Tackle Box
305-289-0540
www.thetacklebox.com
World Class Angler
305-743-6139
www.worldclassangler.com
Capt. Skip Nielsen
305-664-9314
skipcyd@bellsouth.net
