Archives June 2016

Tarpon Season

Tarpon Season action boat-side

Capt. Jesse landing a fish during Tarpon Season while his client snaps a few pictures.

Are you passionate about fly fishing? If so, then you are familiar with Tarpon. The Silver King. Megalops Atlanticus. Poon. For many fly anglers catching a Tarpon on fly is the pinnacle of fly fishing. Ever year, tens of thousands of anglers migrate to Florida for Tarpon Season. Every Tarpon Season, hundreds of thousands of Tarpon migrate along the coast of Florida. Fly anglers and Fly Fishing Guides, often refer to this phenomenon as Tarpon Season. Becoming increasingly obsessive as the season gets closer. Leading up to the beginning of Tarpon Season, anglers will begin booking their dates with their favorite Tarpon guide, making travel arrangements, checking the integrity of their equipment and stocking up on flies.

Tarpon Fly

Example of an effective fly during Tarpon Season.

It isn’t any different for Guides, prepping to guide an angler to a Tarpon is a massive undertaking. The prep work starts well in advance to the first charter of the season. This prep work shouldn’t be taken lightly. In most cases, an angler has invested thousands of dollars into this particular fishing trip. As a guide, you need to be to match the investment made by your client. Not financially but the effort needs to be matched and exceeded. I take this preparation very seriously. I’ll begin tying flies and rigging leaders months before the season kicks off. It doesn’t stop there, rods and reels are double checked, new gear is ordered. Early season scouting becomes critical. Finding a few spots that are holding early season, “happy” fish boosts your confidence level. Confidence is critical when you are Tarpon fishing.

Tarpon Season in Gulf of Mexico

Rolling Tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico.

A Tarpon is a big, predatory fish with years of genetic programming to migrate, feed and reproduce. Its during Tarpon Season that anglers and guides will find the highest concentration of Tarpon in particular locations. During the migration, Tarpon frequent shallow basins, deeper flats, or a cruising oceanside sandbars. Spending time to study this behavior has helped make me a knowledgeable Tarpon Guide. Knowing not only where fish will be but why fish are there is critical. For an angler, feeding a big Tarpon a clump of feathers and fur tied to a hook is life altering and addicting. After you catch your first Tarpon on fly, I can guarantee you will be anxiously awaiting the next time you’re hooked up to The Silver King.

If you’d like more information of fishing Tarpon Season or to book your dates call Capt. Jesse Register of Flyin’ High Charters at 407-448-2017.

Fishing the Louisiana Marsh

The word is out… By now, you’ve probably heard about fishing the Louisiana Marsh. If not, you’ve been living under a rock. If you want to sight fish big Redfish, then you need to be fishing the Louisiana Marsh during the Fall and Winter months.  Fishing the Louisiana Marsh, whether you are a Fly or Spin angler, should be on your bucket list. The Louisiana Marsh, for me as a Fly Fishing Guide, is pretty close to heaven. Why? Its pretty simple…. Big fish in skinny water that want to eat.

Corby, who resides in Central America, makes an annual trip to the Marsh to chase big Redfish with me.

Keep in mind… fishing is fishing, it can be unpredictable. It might be; the weather, the tide, the moon phase or some other factor we have zero control over. Don’t expect to show up and just because you’re in South East Louisiana, a big Redfish is just going to lay across your lap while you and your buddy snap a few pictures. You need to bring your “A game”. There are regularly clouds and wind, sometimes we have dirty water. You pair clouds, wind and dirty water together and you’ve got some tough conditions to manage. With that said, the Louisiana Marsh is a world class fishery and you owe it to yourself to check it out.

On his first trip to the Louisiana Marsh, Frankie from Orlando, with one of a few really nice Redfish.

I remember my first trip to Louisiana in the fall, many years ago. I had never experienced Redfish behavior quite like what areas of the marsh offered. That was something I never thought I would say. When I’m not a fly fishing guide in Louisiana, I guide on Mosquito Lagoon (once famed as the Redfish Capital of the World). I figured I’d seen a Redfish do just about everything. Boy, was I wrong. Louisiana Marsh Redfish are a different breed of Redfish.

Have you ever had a big Redfish bull doze your fly so hard he creates a wake so strong its pushing the fly away from his nose? Have you had 3 Redfish, around 30 lbs, competing over your fly? Fly fishing for Redfish in the Louisiana Marsh is world class and you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Kenny, from Alabama, with a Louisiana Redfish “Pumpkin”. Sight fishing these fish when they are lit up is one of the coolest experiences as an angler.

Deciding to take a fishing trip, whether it be to the Louisiana Marsh or to some remote location, is a big decision with a lot of details. An angler has to figure out how to get to the destination, where to stay, are there places to eat, tackle shops, etc. Flyin’ High Charters tries to take the stress out of planning a trip like of that magnitude. When you fish the Louisiana Marsh with Flyin’ High Charters; the toughest decision you’ll have to make is when to come down to the bayou. There are numerous hotel options as well as some incredible local eateries around where we fish.

Scott M. from the Atlanta area with a 30+ pound Redfish caught in less than ideal conditions during a harsh winter cold front.

Your trip to the Louisiana Marsh is sure to be a good one!

Young Fly Angler Stone Sacco with an absolute PIG Redfish!

It is important to note, you are required to purchase a non-resident Louisiana fishing license. You can purchase the non-resident 3 day skiff license online by clicking here. If you’d prefer to purchase over the phone you can do so by calling 1-800-765-2602. You’ll be given an authorization number, write that down and bring it with you. The license is valid for 3 consecutive days.

On a day off in the Louisiana Marsh, Capt. Jesse gets to get on the bow of the boat and take a few shots at some big Redfish!

If you’d like more information on fishing the Louisiana Marsh or to book your dates call Capt. Jesse Register of Flyin’ High Charters at 407-448-2017.