Fishing Boca Grande Pass:
Tarpon Capital of the World
In the “Tarpon Capital of the World,” opportunities to catch these big
fish are plentiful.
Head to Boca Grande Pass in spring to hook the silver king.
Welcome
to the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” Tarpon is one of the most
sought-after fish in the world, and the Fort Myers-Sanibel area
experiences one of the world's largest tarpon migrations. From Boca
Grande Pass to the reefs off of Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach,
tarpon migrate by the thousands during April, May and June.
Tarpon fishermen head to the pass in the spring,
when there are numerous tournaments. Most anglers fishing the pass are
recreational fishermen, and most hire a fishing guide who provides the
boat, equipment, bait, knowledge and a fishing license to pursue the
much-sought-after 150- to 200-pound giants.
Tarpon Facts
Although little is known about the
tarpon, this prehistoric animal is considered one of the most
interesting creatures in the world. The tarpon is the only fish with an
air bladder, which allows it to breathe air from the surface.
Mature tarpon have been documented at eight feet
long and weighing more than 350 pounds. The average tarpon found off of
Boca Grande weighs 50 to 85 pounds, with numerous fish well over 100
pounds. Some catches weighing more than 200 pounds have occurred around
the pass. Tarpon can live up to 55 years.
Catch and Release
In 1989, Florida implemented a tarpon
program that charges a $50 fee to kill a tarpon. Since tarpon can take
50-plus years to grow to 150 pounds, and because they’re not an edible
fish, catch and release is clearly the only way to go.
Bait
and Tackle
Anglers should use rods preferably in the
6-8 foot range with either rollerized or ceramic guides. Fishing reels
such as the 3/0 and 4/0 Penn models are popular. Reels should have a
good drag system and be wound with 50-80 pound Dacron line. Swivels
should be the 5/0 size, and leaders should be 10-12 feet long with a
rating of about 70 pounds. In the pass, four standard live baits are
used: squirrel fish, mutton minnows, crabs and shrimp.
Fishing Boca Grande Pass
Tarpon
generally congregate in the deepest areas of the pass. The Boca Grande
Hole is about 100 yards wide by 350 yards long. A smaller hole, called
the Coast Guard Hole, is closer to the beach. The holes are 65-70 feet
deep, and the remainder of the pass is about 40 feet deep.
Boat Operation in the Pass
Boat traffic in Boca Grande Pass is very
heavy, and enthusiasts who are not aware of the established procedures
for boat operation can create unsafe and frustrating conditions. We
suggest you hire a fishing guide for an enjoyable day of fishing. If you
must use your own boat, follow these guidelines.
Drifting the pass requires a team effort. Keep
your engine(s) running at all times. Try to keep your boat in line with
the current, not sideways. Unless your boat is keeled, you will probably
have the best luck drifting stern to the wind.
When you have completed a drift, move back to the
head of the drift by going outside the pack at a rate of speed that does
not create a lot of wake or noise. Don’t move back up through the pack.
And don’t anchor in the pass. It's dangerous, and it's a major
inconvenience to those drifting. Anchored boats have been sucked under
on hard outgoing tides (tides of 4 to 6 knots are standard).
