Boca Grande Pass

     Boca Grande Pass is the inlet between Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. During the spring and summer months, thousands of anglers and tens of thousands of tarpon migrate to Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass. The tarpon use Boca Grande Pass to feed and mingle with other tarpon while preparing to spawn. The anglers migrate to Boca Grande Pass to test their mettle again the some of the largest and toughest tarpon in the world. The prespawn tarpon of Boca Grande are known to be the some of strongest due to the high protein diet of crabs that the tarpon feed on during the strong "hill" tide that occur during the new and full moons. The deep 70-80 ft of water and strong currents of Boca Grande Pass also makes catching large tarpon a challenging task. Most tarpon fishing in other areas is done in 10-20 ft of water.

Jig Fishing for Tarpon

      Fishing for tarpon with jigs in Boca Grande Pass is done best in depths of 30ft or more. It is also a technique made very popular the past few years due to high profile tournaments aired on local and national television. Because one must position their boat directly on top of the schools of tarpon, it is considered very rude to fish for tarpon with jigs in the shallower depths along the edges of Boca Grande Pass. Its best to cast bait or just leave the tarpon schools alone if you encounter the schools in less than 30ft and your not prepared to switch from jigs to bait. 

Live Bait Fishing for Tarpon

  

  Live bait fishing for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass can be done a number of ways. The traditional guides and anglers use drift boats to slowly drift along the ledges. Drift boats usually fish the afternoon and evenings because they are less maneuverable when the pass is crowded during the day.

     You can also sight fish for tarpon in and around Boca Grande Pass with spinning tackle. When the tarpon move out of the deep holes of the pass they sometimes gather in relatively shallow water and the best way to catch them is by free lining live bait. Crabs and threadfin herring are most commonly used baits.

 Jig fishing for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.

Live bait fishing for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.

Check out tarpon reports from Boca Grande:                Tarpon Fishing Report