False all in search of same thing a huge Boca Grande Pass tarpon. Tarpon etiquette was always evident with the traditional guides. However today, far too many boats that come to fish the pass show no respect for other boats, while at the same time showing no respect for the resource itself. This is a trend that locals have recognized and in their own ways begun to change by educating anglers as they become aware of their downfalls. A true sportfishing enthusiast cares about the fish and does everything in their power to release the fish properly to ensure the fish shares in the best odds to swimming off healthy. In today’s times, far too many tarpon are being abused and being fought simply too long on light tackle. Locals will tell you many tarpon are being released, but in fact are barely able to gulp air to say the least. A lot of these fish not properly cared for by unknowing anglers simply end up dying as a result of their encounter with poor handling skills. And even worse, some will become shark food as a result. In the real world, that of the tarpon, it is the health of the creature that will often dictate survival and we as anglers should be more than aware of the consequences of mistreating these precious creatures. Locals will ask that you hone up on your skills and knowledge of the tarpon, before attempting the monsters of the Pass. There is a group of anglers who use what is known as a “ jig” to fish the tarpon in the pass. This style of fishing has brought much controversy to the area. There are those that believe the jig device is unethical and they are still trying to fight the use of this particular piece of tackle. There are no laws banning the use of this piece of tackle presently, but there is a limit of three lines only in the water while fishing in the pass throughout tarpon season. Author Merry Beth Ryan with one of Photo by Capt. Van. “ Flight Of The King” continued from page 69

False Small flat boats wrapped like NASCAR vehicles have invaded the pass during tarpon season. They have their own style of fishing that is the exact opposite of the traditional methods that survived for over 100 years in the pass. The two different styles of fishing do not mesh therefore trying to fish one or the other style at the same time rarely works. If tarpon fishing in the pass dropping your bait down to the fish in deep holes is not your thing, perhaps sight casting to the lead fish in a school of tarpon is your calling. Beach fishing for tarpon allows you the angler, to get up close and personal with “ Mr. Tarpon”. It becomes more, you against the fish type of fishing. Your cast has to be almost perfect once you have gotten into position to intercept the school of fish, so make is count. You do not want to spook the entire pod of fish because if you do, they may never pop up again and give you another chance. Trust me when I say, if you miss the school or pod, it will be time to move on and locate another school of cooperative fish. Many anglers prefer to sight cast to pods of tarpon on the local beaches surrounding the Boca Grande area. Tarpon are migrating south to north from the Florida Keys and on around the Gulf Coast for the summer. Beach fishing the tarpon requires patience, as does most other types of fishing, however, not every fish that swims reacts to the presence of anglers, as do the tarpon. Do not chase rolling fish. It is best not to run your outboard engines, but instead use your trolling motors when approaching a school of tarpon. It is very important to let the fish come to you. If you are sight casting to tarpon you have to go into what is known as “ stealth mode”. It is not easy to remain calm when your seeing hundreds of rolling tarpon on the surface. But the quieter you can be, the greater your chances are at successfully landed your fish of a lifetime. her Florida pets. “ Flight Of The King” continued on page 104