[flyfishgeek]

I am looking to make a trip in about 13 months. I know they run the keys area in mid to late Feb. I am interested in hiring a guide that can at least get me close. Anyone have any experience ? I will be there a week or so, plan on doing plenty of fishing on my own, but want a good shot at a tarpon

 

[Opry99er]

Find a guy named Dave Alfred. He writes for the paper down in Key West. Used to be my bass player.

He is very well connected down there and can hook you up.

 

[baetisrun1]

you strictly fly or willing to throw live bait?

 

[Bobco]

call tarpon jim williams up in Manila , he used to guide down there....

 

[flyfishgeek]

you strictly fly or willing to throw live bait?

The goal is on the fly, but I will do what it takes :biggrin1:

 

[flyfishgeek]

I would prefer a guide that provides everything, I will bring some of my own gear for the self guided stuff but can't fly with enough gear to cover the bases.

 

[briananthony12]

Scott Sommerlatte, he guides specifically for fly fisherman, and targets tarpon mostly. He is usually there form about mid February until late June.

 

[hobiecat]

A friend of mine has fished a few times for Tarpon. He says if you really want to have fun skip the mature Tarpon and go after the baby Tarpon....5 to 15 lbs. Says after one two hour tug of war with a mature Tarpon..it's kinda been there done that....just a lot of winching. But with the baby Tarps...He says it's a hoot...A lot more fun. I know he was down there fishing with Tarpon Jim.

Here's an article on the Baby Tarpon...I' m sure there are many more.

http://www.fishin-buddy.com/babytar.html

 

[flyfishgeek]

A friend of mine has fished a few times for Tarpon. He says if you really want to have fun skip the mature Tarpon and go after the baby Tarpon....5 to 15 lbs. Says after one two hour tug of war with a mature Tarpon..it's kinda been there done that....just a lot of winching. But with the baby Tarps...He says it's a hoot...A lot more fun. I know he was down there fishing with Tarpon Jim.

Here's an article on the Baby Tarpon...I' m sure there are many more.

http://www.fishin-buddy.com/babytar.html

I think this is a good route as well, fishing a little more inshore and a lot of other species in the mix, maybe chase a giant at the end of the day.

 

[Username]

Another vote for baby tarpon.

Anytime I'd be fishing for Snook and see a school of 5 or 6 six foot tarpon making their rounds I'd pull all my rods in.

Ive caught several baby tarpon on Yozuri Crystal Minnows.

 

[Username]

Make sure to visit Robbies if you want to hand feed full grown tarpon

 

[Bronco]

Lived down in Marco and chased tarpon alot. Going to sound crazy but find a true Floridian white trash guide willing to chum and throw bait for your best bet. I would have a tuff time counting the guides I have been with and a few where the big shot ones you see on TV, all where nice guys but none of them produced like the good old chumming/bait boys.

 

[ColoGregS]

Went out with guide Cap't Bill Welder. Had a great time caught lots of fish and his daily rate is reasonable compared to the seasonal guys.

He lives down there year round and can flat out put fish in the boat. He will not toot his own horn and tell you stories of how many and what big fish he catches but we had a good time with him.:biggrin1:

 

[Bronco]

I never did hire a seasonal guide only the year round resident ones. I wouldn't hire a seasonal guide. Just my opinion

 

[cochise]

Geek I got your man. Cap'n Rich Smith. You tell him I sent you and he will dial your ass in big time. Dude fishes his clients harder than any guide I know. First class and first class equipment.

706-508-BITE. captainrichsmith.com

 

[flyfishgeek]

Geek I got your man. Cap'n Rich Smith. You tell him I sent you and he will dial your ass in big time. Dude fishes his clients harder than any guide I know. First class and first class equipment.

706-508-BITE. captainrichsmith.com

Thanks Cody, I will check him out

 

[tarponjim]

Feb. is really too early. You can get them then, but you can have a whole week without a poon in sight too. In March is starts. April is pretty good. May is peak of the peak awesome. June still very good. All generally speaking of course, but February is really hit and miss. The captains mentioned here are all good, and there's a ton of good tarpon guides in the Keys. Loaded. Some are better with fly, some with bait, some with night fishing, some with chumming. (chumming is so easy its like cheating, but you WILL be hooked up to big poons--Key West Harbor.) Sight fishing to the babies is the most fun for sure. 5-30 pounders. Spin or fly.

 

[flyfishgeek]

Feb. is really too early. You can get them then, but you can have a whole week without a poon in sight too. In March is starts. April is pretty good. May is peak of the peak awesome. June still very good. All generally speaking of course, but February is really hit and miss. The captains mentioned here are all good, and there's a ton of good tarpon guides in the Keys. Loaded. Some are better with fly, some with bait, some with night fishing, some with chumming. (chumming is so easy its like cheating, but you WILL be hooked up to big poons--Key West Harbor.) Sight fishing to the babies is the most fun for sure. 5-30 pounders. Spin or fly.

THANK YOU !!!! I will adjust my calendar :thumb: I have nothing actually planned other than I want to do it and have a good chunk of the money already set aside