| The best tarpon fishing hotspot on the planet is | | | | stack up, it's really best to get a guide who |
| no real secret to an avid tarpon angler. Tarpon | | | | knows what they are doing as the pass really |
| can be found year round at this location but there | | | | gets loaded down with a ton of anglers. But with |
| are certain times of the year when their numbers | | | | the sheer number of tarpon around, it doesn't |
| can be so thick that you could walk on top of | | | | really lessen any of your opportunities for |
| them so to speak, literally numbering in the tens | | | | catching one, just if your like me, I'd rather be |
| of thousands. Which would thus enable any angler | | | | fishing than untangling a mess from a first time |
| a fishing trip of a lifetime as these tarpon are | | | | pass angler trying to fish it alone. Could you do it |
| considered giants. So just where is this secret | | | | yourself? Absolutely, you could bring your own |
| garden of tarpon fishing, none other than Boca | | | | boat and have a go at it, just remember a few |
| Grande Pass. | | | | little rules to play by and make not only your day |
| Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island in the | | | | an enjoyable one, but everyones day on the |
| southwest portion of Florida along the Gulf of | | | | water enjoyable as well. |
| Mexico. This small little community starts | | | | Rule 1: Start your drift at the top of the pass. |
| absolutely booming during the months of May, | | | | Don't cut in and just line up with someone else |
| June and July when these tarpon hunters line up | | | | that's already drifting. In other words, don't stop |
| to take on their tarpon fishing adventure. Loaded | | | | your boat in somebody else's drift line. All boats in |
| with accommodations, restaurants and shopping | | | | the pass tend to drift the same way and in the |
| venues, it's the perfect place to bring the family | | | | same line. Just like back in school at the lunch line, |
| and sneak away on your own little adventure | | | | no cuts! |
| catching these great sport fish. | | | | Rule 2: When you finish your drift, don't just fire |
| Boca Grande gathers its name from the Spanish | | | | up your boat and go directly back up to the front. |
| word meaning "Big Mouth" and was used to | | | | Be courteous and make your way back on the |
| describe the opening waterway of the pass, thus | | | | OUTSIDE of the drifting line. |
| Boca Grande Pass. Back in the day, this pass was | | | | Rule 3: Tarpon can spook. Don't throw a wake |
| a thriving commercial platform and was utilized by | | | | with your boat. Take your time and ease back |
| cargo ships to haul processed phosphate from | | | | into position. |
| some of those very docks. That business slowed | | | | Rule 4: Don't anchor IN th pass. This is an easy |
| and is virtually non-existent since the opening of | | | | way to make everyones day absolutely miserable. |
| the Port of Tampa, and that's when tarpon fishing | | | | There you have it. Four simple rules to fishing one |
| really kicked into gear. | | | | of the greatest tarpon hotspots in the world, |
| During those special months when the tarpon | | | | Boca Grande Pass. |