Special time: Drone spoons, windy days and changing conditions

Spring fishing is peaking and our weather will continue to heat up. This is the short window to enjoy our transitional fishing. It was a colder winter and the fish are hungry. Summer’s heat will overtake us soon. The baitfish are hard to catch for many of us, so it’s not easy for the fish to find either. They are hungry, so take advantage of this opportunity.

We are also entering our tarpon season soon and tournaments will be here before you know it. Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Please prepare and make reservations for the Ladies Day tournament. Tarpon are already teasing us.

The Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association is hosting its first Tarpon Season Kick-off Party at Whidden’s Marina on April 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. Come as you are and enjoy fresh fried mullet and hush puppies, cold beer and live music. There is no place in Boca Grande that is a better example of Old Florida than Whidden’s Marina. They preserve our old-school traditions, and we thank them for hosting this event. Many of our best local guides are based there. Several are third-generation fishing guides. That’s serious knowledge. Ask them to share some stories.

This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with other fishermen, learn about the guides organization and have fun. It’s rare these days to discover an opportunity to talk with guides and share experiences, so this is a great chance to meet the experts. Make plans to enjoy Boca Grande tarpon fishing folks and mingle with many of the best guides, fishermen and ladies around. Bring your appetite. It’s hard to find fresh fried mullet and hush puppies.

It’s time to experience and enjoy the after-Easter slowdown and before the seasonal crowds with excellent fishing. The back country is on fire if you are patient and can catch some minnows. Tarpon are available and hungry, and they will just continue to gather around the Big Pass. Expect more boats and people in May and June.

Mackerel are scattered all over the Gulf beaches and into Charlotte Harbor. Many folks are not familiar with mackerel. They were the biggest fisheries back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Unfortunately, our fishery managers went from no restrictions to total shutdown of king mackerel in 1986 and crashed these spring and fall fisheries. While Spanish mackerel were still open, most anglers stopped fishing mackerel without the bigger kings. We have Spanish mackerel available and easy to catch.

There are several methods of trolling with artificial lures and spoons to successfully target mackerel. Metal planers and Drone Spoons are my go-to hardware rigs. Try about six m.p.h. speed and carry plenty of ice to preserve your catch. You can expect to hook up with a few bigger kings occasionally. If you locate concentrations of feeding fish, try casting jigs and spoons for exciting action. Mackerel are high-speed action fish. Multiple hook ups are common. Take advantage of abundant fish and liberal bag limits. Eat them fresh for best taste.

Our weather is still transitioning, and we will have windy days. It’s hard to pre-plan with changing conditions, but that’s why it’s not as busy. If you have flexibility, take advantage of the good action when the weather cooperates. Do not miss this special time to enjoy our unique fisheries. 

Capt. Van Hubbard’s column Hook, Line and Sinker began in the Boca Beacon in 1988. He lives in Placida. Email him at captvanhubbard@gmail.com