And just like that, it’s summertime!
When you spend as much time on the water as we do, it’s easy for a busy outfitter to miss the changing of the seasons—especially here in Florida, where it doesn’t really go from spring to summer, it just goes from hot to hotter.
After a lot of persuading from longtime clients, I decided to leave my beloved Big Bend for a few weeks and head back to my old stomping grounds in Southwest Florida to chase Tarpon and Snook. I spent three weeks down there, and I have to say, it was a huge success.
I’ll admit, it took a little while to get used to all the boat traffic again, but this year I ran my trips a little differently. Instead of focusing solely on Tarpon, we mixed things up. When the Tarpon bite got tough or the traffic got to be too much, we’d slide back into the bays and start catching Snook. That kept every trip exciting, and there was almost always a bent rod somewhere on the boat—which is exactly what we’re after.
As much fun as I had, after four weeks it sure felt good to get back home, see my family, and settle back into our sleepy little corner of the Gulf.
Now for the really good stuff…
The waters of the Big Bend are every bit as alive as when I left them. The Redfish bite has been strong and steady, with early mornings and late afternoons being prime time. If you’re throwing topwater at daylight, the MirrOlure She Dog has been getting hammered. Once the sun gets up and starts heating things up, switch over to a gold spoon or a 1/4-ounce jig paired with a Saltwater Assassin Sea Shad. That’s been the ticket.
The Trout have been just as consistent. As long as you’ve got moving water and you’re willing to stay with the fish, they’ll bite throughout the day. Start in the same water you fished for Redfish, and don’t be surprised if you get just as many topwater blowups from Trout as you do Reds. As the day warms up, start easing out into 4 to 5 feet of water and keep moving deeper as the temperatures climb.
One thing you definitely want to keep an eye out for while you’re on the flats is the silver flash of a rolling Tarpon. As I was leaving Boca Grande to come home, it seemed like the Tarpon were making their way north too. There isn’t much in fishing that compares to watching a Tarpon explode on your bait. You’ll spend a lot of time looking and waiting, but when it all comes together, it’s something you’ll never forget.
And of course, scallop season is here! Along with it comes the crowds in the usual spots. But if you’re willing to get away from the pack and explore a little, you’ll find quiet water and plenty of scallops waiting for you.
If any of this sounds like the kind of trip you’ve been looking for, give us a call and let’s talk. Our guides have a combined 90 years of experience fishing the Gulf, and nobody knows the waters around Taylor County better than we do. We’d love the opportunity to get you on the water and show you what makes this place so special.
See you on the water!
Capt. Greg DeVault