Lake Tarpon Fishing Report

From: Capt George Medders Guide Service
Guiding and Fishing on Lake Tarpon for over 25 years.

Fall Fishing Report

Finally a break in the hot weather. Its refreshing to be able to get out on the water and fish with the cooler temps, plus the fish always get more active when the water temps starts dropping. the shad will start to bunch up this time of the year and the hungry bass will be close bye feeding on them. Keep an eye out for the birds feeding on the shad!. look for the bass to start moving in from the deeper water to feed on the schools of shad along the shallow grass beds and points.

In my opinion this is by far the best time of year for top water baits early in the morning, then as the sun gets up switch to rattle traps, small crank baits and spinner baits. I noticed a hatch on the lake this past week, this will only help the top water bite. My favorite top water baits are Pop R's,Tiny Torpedo's and Jerk Baits. Throw them as close to the grass beds as possible. I also like to throw toads and frogs over the thicker grass beds in the fall when the bass start moving into the heavy grass beds. after the bite slows down in the mornings try a carolina rig worm on the points, you can always catch a few nice bass that are holding on the points waiting for shad to pass bye, june bug and black blue tail worms are still the my favorite colors! Some of the best areas have been the mid lake bar along the outside pepper grass beds. the grass beds in front of Dr Reds has also been good. The shallow water out in front of brooker creek has been good early and gets real good after a hard rain and the water starts flowing, all the main lake points are also producing fish. Big Dolly Bay has some schooling fish feeding at the mouth when the wind blows from the north east. The north cove also has some fish moving in and out feeding on small shad and glass minnows. Otter creek has been slow this summer, but it always heats up in the fall when the shad bunch up. the west wind will blow the schools of shad into the shallow water in the outside grass areas. For you live bait fishermen, the shinner bite should start getting good as long as the water temp keeps dropping and the temps stay down. I have been taking 1/2 day trips from safe daylight till noon. I will start taking all day trips when the shinner bite picks up.

If you would like to book a trip or need any more info let me know. you can contact me at georgemedders@yahoo.com or call me on my cell phone (727) 237-7033

Capt GM ><>

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