Keaton Beach 5/24 - 5/26 - MAZE of BOATS

[bigblister]

We headed south early Saturday morning to try to get into some big trout. The weather was perfect with a nice breeze to keep it comfortable. Dad, Lisa and I headed into 4' feet of water and decided to try a few gulp jigging on the bottom. Immediatley we hooked into some good fish between 17" - 19". The bite turned off after hitting the first hole and we decided to move into deeper water. We had a popping cork rig set up dragging behind the boat while we were in deeper water and a tarpon slammed a 4" pearl gulp and nearly broke the rod in half. DL grabbed the rod and the 70# plus fish jumped twice completley out of the water before snapping the line and then jumping again and throwing the popping cork and gulp. The fight lasted all of about 15 seconds - Unbelievable. I have never seen a tarpon to close to the boat.

We headed back north near grassy island and got deeper 7.5' - 8.5' and started to pick up nice fish. Most were bitting on new penny and pearl gulp. I lucked up and bagged a nice 23.5" trout.


At this stop we decided to break out a bigger rig with 50# line to drag a pin fish. And once again another huge blow up and a gigantic tarpon is dancing across the surface of the water. This fight lasted a little longer maybe 30 seconds, I was about to crank the boat up to chase it down but the big boy broke the line again. Any tips on baggin a tarpon??

We ended up Saturday with 10 nice trout from 16" - 23".

LL with a few nice trout.

The end result


Sunday we were joined by my sister and her boyfriend. Also, there seemed to be about a 100% increase in boats. We dodged boats in route to try some redfish. We were skunked on the redfish but AL bagged this nice 21" trout.



The fishing was slower and it could have been due to every spot we stopped seemed to have a boat running within 500 yards. I don't know?

The result from Sunday was a slim 7 fish from 15.1528" - 21".




Monday was hot and there seemed to be little water movement. We tried shallow, deep, popping corks, jigging and topwater. Not much happening, but had a great time on the water. Ended up the trip with 18 trout and 2 big rock bass.

[Barhopr]

keep the rod out of the rod holder and in your hand, set the hook hard on first hook up, little to no drag during the first hard run, you ain't gonna stop her anyway, Bow to the king on the jumps(put as much slack in the line as you can)then if she settles into a tug of war, go down and dirty............
Thats just what I've read and seen on TV

[Reel Cowboy]

Its nice to hear a good report from Keaton. I hope to try it this weekend.

[FUTCHCAIRO]

WE ALWAYS USED 5-6' STEEL LEADER WHEN FISHING FOR TARPON, THE UPPER SIDE OF THE TAIL IS LIKE A RAZOR AND WILL CUT YOUR LINE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LONG LEADER, THIER GILL CAGE ALSO HAS VERY SHARP EDGE. WHEN WE FISHED FOR TARPON DOWN AROUND NAPLES WE WOULD USE CATFISH FOR BAIT, ONE ABOUT 12 " LONG FREE LINED WHILE WE WERE ANCHORED, LET THE WATER MOVEMENT DO THE WORK FOR YOU.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

[mjsigns]

Nice report