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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