Lake Tarpon
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Lake Tarpon Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Lipless Crankbaits
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
78°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Crankbaits 7'-12'
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Carolina Rigs
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
82°
Our nights have started to cool off over the last week. Water temps have been fluctuating between 80 and 85 degrees. This temperature fluctuation has the fish pretty messed up. Tournament weights have been way down. This past weekend only took 15 pounds and two weeks ago it only took 10 pounds. The fish are still grouped up in some places but they aren't in as tight of schools as they were. ou have to fan cast around a lot more now but when you get it in front of one they are still biting it pretty aggressively. One of the most efficient ways to find these fish is with a Humminbird Helix Side Imaging unit. Rather than fishing a bunch of dead water, we are marking fish on areas and then turning around to catch them. One of the best ways to cover water, but not move your bait too quickly is to use a Carolina rig. I am sweeping it pretty quickly and not pausing very often. The goal is to get it near a fish, but not swim it away from it really fast. The Zoom Trick worm has been a great bait lately. The fish seem to be turned off by a bigger profile bait. I am rigging it on a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG tied to 15lb Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon. I have gone up to a 3/4oz weight to keep the bait down while I am doing these quicker sweeps. Im throwing it on a Dobyns Champion 765 with a Daiwa Zillion 8.5:1 gear ratio. The fish are starting to act like they want to come shallow, but I think we are still a little while away from that happening. It is supposed to warm back up again this week, so we will see if that groups them back up or makes them even harder to catch. Thanks, Dicky D
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Reeds
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
62°
Pitch into pencil reeds about 3-4 feet in with water about 2-4 feet deep.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Carolina Rigs
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
85°
While most of the country is cooling down and the fish are moving shallow, the fish on lake tarpon are very much still offshore. With the days getting shorter, but the water temp still in the mid-80s the fish are in a little bit of a funk. The bass are still holding offshore on shallow points. Most of the schools are in between 5 and 9 feet of water. Unlike a month ago, the schools are pretty broken up. You can scan around and find them but you’ll only see a handful together. The Carolina rig has been the best bet to catch these fish. The bass aren’t chasing much so you need something slow, but with the schools busted up you also need something you can keep moving. The c-rig shines in this situation. I build my rig with a 3/4 oz weight and a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG. You can use a lot of different baits, but you want something with a little action. I am throwing it on a Dobyns Champion 765 and a Daiwa Zillion. My main line is 17lb Seaguar Invizx and the leader is 15lb InvizX.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 0-6'
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
62°
Fish are staging up still prespawn waiting for warmer weather to move shallow to spawning flats. Majority of fish were caught cranking transition zones, weed lines and shell bars leading into spawning areas.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Crankbaits 13'+
Structure
Baitfish
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
85°
It is late summer/early fall and the fish are really keyed in on baitfish. Cranking hard spots with suspended bait is the key.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Lipless Crankbaits
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Bluegill
Fish are moving up staging to spawn. Weed edges adjacent to spawning areas are starting to load up.
Chris
Bronze Ambassador
1/21/23
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Docks
Water Temperature
65°
Fish are moving into canals and spawning flats. Keep your eyes open for bed as some may lock on.
