Windy weather seems to be the norm. Most everyday it is blowing 20 knots and better with just a few exceptions. Tarpon fishing has been hit or miss depending on the evening that you fish. There have been plenty of seatrout in the Bay for those who want calmer water and still want to get out despite the windy conditions.
On Friday (1/5) evening we had winds of 22 - 25 knots from the SE at Haulover. It made for some very bumpy conditions. We had 1 tarpon on for about 5 minutes until we caught up with the fish. At that point, the hook pulled. The remainder of the evening, we caught 1 ladyfish.
Saturday (1/6) evening we gave Government Cut a try with Billy Green, John Anduono, and Kevin Caudle. The reports I've heard from down there have been the same as up at Haulover. Hot one evening and cold the next. On this evening, we watched numerous tarpon roll around without any hits until we got to the dusk period. At that point, they disappeared. The good news is that prior to dusk, we caught and released a mutton snapper and a permit. We remained persistent and finally marked a school of tarpon. A rod bent over and the battle was on. Some pictures and the fish was released. This was the first evening that I have been tarpon fishing this year when the wind wasn't blowing like mad. The wind was E/ESE @ 6 - 13 knots.
Thursday (1/11), the wind was back up. ENE/E @ 22 - 25 knots. Steve Adams and business associates Rory, John, and George spent a relaxing day in the Bay fishing for seatrout. We had to do a lot of searching and moved numerous times. At most of the locations we anchored at first thing in the morning and then after 12 noon we caught at least 1 to several seatrout. Everyone caught several fish, with Steve finding the largest fish of the day. Cajun Thunder popping corks and shrimp did the trick for all the fish.
That's it for now. We've got day trips and night trips coming up and I'll post another report as soon as I can to keep everyone up to date with the most current information.
Captain Dave