‘A great start to spring.’ How a Palmetto captain helped catch a tarpon in Tampa Bay

Captain Griffin Deans is always one to leave a big bait soaking because he knows that is often what it takes to catch big fish.

“Even if we’re just trout fishing, I’ll throw something big out trying to catch something like a shark or anything else big that pulls,” the Palmetto-based captain explained. “Clients love the story of a big shark and it often makes a trip for them.”

After spending much of his winter chasing hogfish, sheepshead and grouper in the nearshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Deans recently returned to his specialty of flats fishing when the waters began to warm up. In doing so, he’s seen signs of spring and great fishing.

“The snook and redfishing is as good as ever. I’ve seen better redfishing this spring than since I started. I don’t know if that’s because I’m getting better at it now, but every day at 2 p.m., it seems like we’ll get on them for the back half of the day,” Deans said.

“I haven’t seen any small river tarpon around this year but already have seen pods of big fish off the beach, around the bulkhead and Skyway. That was a good sign after the cold winter.”

Knowing the silver king is showing early, Deans always keeps that big rod ready. When he was trout fishing a deepwater grass flat on Southern Tampa Bay, a client caught a ladyfish. Saving it for bait for the big fish, he tossed half of it back out on the big spinning rod and let it sit. Not long after, it was picked up.

Fisherman lands tarpon near Skyway

“At that flat last year, we got a tarpon in March. When the ladyfish was ate, the fish took off and we saw a big tarpon, probably 100 to 120 pounds.” said Deans. The tarpon took to the air as they gave chase. Deans cheered excitedly as the first tarpon of the year for his clients danced at the other end before being caught.

“Matt Bauer fought it for 30 minutes and it went to a shallow sandbar,” Deans said. “We got it landed and took some pictures!”

“I only really go to that flat because there’s always the chance at something cool. The tarpon last year ate a trout rod and 4000 spinning reel. It was smaller, about 50 pounds. That’s the stuff that makes a trip for people,” said Deans.

While a few tarpon may be around, March is still early to start targeting them for most anglers. Deans, like many captains, anticipates more fish arriving in May and books his tarpon fishing charters then.

“Those fish migrate up around May, and that’s when we start targeting the big ones. We’ll catch some small ones when they show in the river and some people can get them around the bridges, but the big mass is still a month or two away. But getting one that early is a great start to spring.”

This story was originally published March 17, 2024 at 5:50 AM.