Lake Tarpon Fishing Report

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

Lake Tarpon Spring Fishing Report

Its Spawning time!

The water temperature is perfect to get those early spawning bass moving into the shallow water, the bass are actively starting to chase live bait around the lake, both live shiners and fast moving artificial baits are working now. most of the bass are feeding up, getting ready for the annual spawn. a few anxious males have made there way to the canals and shallow shorelines to get a head start. the big females are starting to show up in all the familiar early spawning areas. needless to say early spring is my favorite time of the year. My clients catch more big bass from Jan to March than any other time of the year.

Lets talk a little about the different ways to catch bass with live shiners during the spawn. in January I like to start free lining shiners around the deeper staging areas for those aggressive females that are fattening up for the love fest.as the water temperature rises I will start to fish a little shallower with floats in about 3 to 6 feet of water. I always use no less than 20 lb line with either #3 or #4 Kale hooks, depending on the size of the shiners. Heavy tackle is recommended this time of the year. You can use either braid or Mono. I prefer braid because you have less stretch when setting the hook on those big girls. I will usually troll the edges of grass lines but last year I started anchoring up and pitching shiners around structure like reed lines, grass lines and docks. I like to try different approaches because the lake is changing and with all the pressure the slower methods seem to produce when others fail mainly because the bass are getting a little more finicky.

If your an artificial fisherman, Rattle traps, lucky crafts, jerk baits, flukes, frogs, top water and spinner baits are working best right now, as the fish start moving into the spawning areas the slow worm fishing will get better and better. June bug with blue tail and black blue curly tail worms always work good but when the fish are on the beds use black chartreuse tail and black fire tail for best results.. You can try Carolina rig worms for the early deeper fish then switch to Texas rigs with lighter weights for the shallow fish. I also like to throw top water early in the morning, buzzbaits are good at times but you can't beat a pop r or tiny torpedo for that exciting top water explosion.

The best areas on the lake right now are at the mouth of the outfall canal early, then start hitting all the grass lines along the east shoreline, later as the spawn progresses hit the bays and canals.

As always please release all females ASAP so they can have a successful spawn, If you catch a trophy and decide to get a mount, just take a picture and record the weight and length, Most all taxidermist use fiberglass replicates now days and they only need the picture length and weight to make a great mount.

As everyone knows the superbowl will be coming to Tampa. I extend an invitation to all the out of state football fans to get out on the water and enjoy beautiful lake Tarpon with all the different wildlife and tropical birds while you experience some of the best bass fishing in the country. We are less than an hour away and transportation and lodging can be provided. Give me call or E-mail me for more information and to book a trip. We have several boats available for groups.

If you need any more info or would like to book at trip give me a call.

Thanks and Be Safe, and God Bless,

Capt GM ><>
Phone: 727-237-7033
georgemedders@yahoo.com

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