Fishing this year, generally speaking, has been marked by an overall lag in conditions and seasons. Winter was one in which unseasonably cold temperatures and winds held for long periods of time; and this trend has persisted late into Spring. Now officially in Florida's worst drought in the past 100 years, the fishing - when accessible - has been spectacular.

The tarpon showed up two weeks early this year, in the middle of March, with an awesome bite taking place on the inside of the barrier islands. A constant East wind kept all boats out of the Gulf. Of the eight or nine days the Gulf had been accessible during March-April, the reports were of a consistent bite. On May 18th, the wind began to blow, and it hasn't stopped since. The result was a dead stop to the tarpon bite, with most fish simply "disappearing." The tarpon have once again showed up en masse, and with water temps in the mid to upper 70s it looks that the season may last a good long while. On the snook side, my trips with Jack and John Felter, and Rob, Adam, and Austin Kunis, have been boating at least 20 per half day this past week - exploiting a good tidal flow and being where the bait is before first light.

This week marks our march to the moon's first quarter - that infamous time where we have one tide per day and everyone has to work a bit harder to get the fish to bite. The passes and the river are always my 'default' locations during these tides as each squeezes the water into a bit of extra movement - providing your best chance of a hookup. Windy conditions are forecasted over the next several days, so be extra careful on the water.

Remember: Don't jerk it 'til you feel the tug (and be prepared to yank and crank!).

Cheers,
Capt. Dave Torrance
Mercury Saltwater Team