The countdown to the legendary Boca Grande tarpon run is on. Fish are staging in numbers this week and the early action is already excellent. Snook are pre-spawn and crushing baits, and the flats around Sanibel are alive.
Tarpon Staging
The Boca Grande Pass tarpon fishery is just starting to fire and will peak in late May through June. Right now, fish are staging in numbers in the pass on outgoing tides and along the beaches from Captiva south to Boca Grande. Live crabs and threadfin on a 7/0 circle hook are the standard. Some of the biggest fish of the year — 150 to 200 lbs — get caught in this fishery, so make sure your gear is up to it.
Snook Pre-Spawn
Snook are at their pre-spawn peak in Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, and around the passes (Captiva, Redfish, Boca). Live whitebait pitched tight to the mangroves on a high incoming tide is generating constant action. Bigger fish in the 28–32 inch range are stacking at the pass mouths on outgoing — live pinfish on a 4/0 circle hook free-lined into the current.
Redfish and Trout
Redfish are on the flats and around the oyster bars throughout the Sound. Tailing fish are showing at low tide on calm mornings around the islands east of Cabbage Key. Trout are still on the grass flats at dawn — soft plastics on a jighead, or live shrimp under a popping cork.
Specific Spots This Week
Boca Grande Pass tarpon are staging on the outgoing tide — boats are drifting live crabs and threadfin through the pass starting on the upper stages of falling water. The Mile Marker 11 area on the inside of the pass is holding fish at slack. Snook are stacked at the mouth of Captiva Pass, Redfish Pass, and on the inside of Pine Island Sound around the spoil islands. The east side of Captiva Island on a high tide produces snook on free-lined whitebait against the mangroves. Inside the Sound, the back of Tarpon Bay and the flats around the Pine Island grasses are giving up redfish to anglers sight-casting at low tide. The grass flats off Sanibel’s Bowman’s Beach are still producing trout at dawn.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 79–81°F. New moon Saturday — softer tides but the dawn and dusk windows will fire. Light east winds Wednesday/Thursday. Outgoing at the passes for tarpon, high incoming on the mangroves for snook.
Local Intel This Week
Boca Grande Pass starts firing for tarpon this week and will peak in late May through June — the fish are staging now. Inside Pine Island Sound, the Cabbage Key area produces snook on the mangroves and redfish on the flats. Matlacha Pass has been giving up trout on the grass and snook in the back lakes. Captiva Pass on outgoing tide is the close-in tarpon option. Florida saltwater license required, tarpon over 40 inches release-only. Tight lines.