The legendary Boca Grande tarpon migration has erupted into full glory, delivering spectacles that even seasoned anglers find breathtaking. Perfect weather conditions have aligned with the arrival of thousands of silver kings, creating the ultimate tarpon fishing scenario throughout our waters.

Daybreak provides nature's most magnificent theater—massive tarpon rolling and gulping air against the canvas of a fiery Florida sunrise. These primordial creatures, many exceeding 150 pounds, create an experience that transcends ordinary fishing and becomes something almost spiritual for those fortunate enough to witness it.

What drives this extraordinary gathering? The ancient dance between predator and prey continues as powerful moon tides flush millions of pass crabs into the current, creating a protein-rich buffet that fuels these magnificent gamefish. This seasonal phenomenon transforms Boca Grande into the undisputed "Tarpon Capital of the World" and explains why anglers travel globally to experience these waters.

The raw, untamed power of a hooked tarpon defies description. Even the most technically detailed explanation falls short of communicating what happens when 150 pounds of prehistoric muscle and instinct erupts from the water in spectacular aerial displays. These fish command respect from everyone who challenges them, leaving lasting impressions that call anglers back year after year.

As we move deeper into prime season, the tarpon fishing will only intensify. Limited availability remains for select dates in May, June and July—the absolute peak of our world-famous tarpon season. For those seeking the ultimate big-game fishing experience, this represents your opportunity to connect with the mighty silver king in their most storied stronghold.

Capt. Jesse Beye
Salty Jaw Charters

Some clients this past week got to experience a great redfish bite during a late February cold front. We caught lots of reds between 18-28inches with some smaller snook and see trout mixed in. Live shrimp was the bait of choice and we even got surprised with a small permit on one of the trips. March is right around the corner and comes with it warmer temperatures. We will soon be switching over to live minnows for fishing and the daily catch rate will skyrocket.

Salty Jaw Charters still has some great Tarpon days available over the next 5 months. So if you visiting Boca Grande, Manasota Key, Venice or Englewood give us a shout to come battle the mighty silver king in Southwest Florida.

Had a great day sight casting some nice fish around Boca grande with Scott Hocking,one of my weekly assassins. It was a sun filled day that was most enjoyable poling the beautiful back waters of Charlotte Harbor aboard my little skiff. We caught lots of good size trout along with a few redfish,the snook seemed to evade us most the day.

The 10 forecast looks incredible and will produce some awesome fishing in the coming weeks. With spring and Tarpon season right around the corner the calendar is starting to fill up for season so don’t hesitate to get a your trip booked. 

It felt good to get back out on the water after an abnormally cold week. I took out my little skiff with good client and friend Rick Avello  from the Philadelphia area and the fishing was pretty decent. It was the first decently warm day after a week of very cold temperatures and the fish were excited to see our soft plastic lures. We caught a total of 7 redfish and caught more then 30 trout with a few around the 20inch mark.

With spring right around the corner the snook fishing will start to heat up along with our water temperatures. Salty Jaw Charters is starting to fill up its Tarpon season so if you’re visiting the Boca grande Englewood area reserve your dates today.

Tarpon season starts around mid April and runs all through the summer with May and June being the peak two months. 

Winter low tides in the little skiff has been a blast these past few weeks. One of My regulars Scott Hocking from Wyoming had a great first day to start his winter stay. With a bluebird sky and a temperature in the mid 70s we put the snack down on them. We landed several trout, snook and redfish in beautiful Gasperilla sound just off of boca Grande. We fished primarily with soft plastic lures and the fish just couldn’t help them selves. Tarpon season will be here fast so book those plane tickets and a few charters to get in on the action

What a way to close out 2024! Salty Jaw Charters delivered exceptional fishing experiences throughout the holiday season, with clients landing impressive catches across diverse fishing grounds. From the protected waters of Charlotte Harbor to the open Gulf of Mexico, our anglers experienced the incredible variety that makes Boca Grande a premier fishing destination.

CURRENT FISHING CONDITIONS

Backcountry Report: The protected waters continue to produce consistent action with:

• Spotted seatrout showing up in excellent numbers
• Redfish patrolling mangrove shorelines
• Occasional snook providing exciting catches
• Bonus pompano making surprise appearances
• Best action during moving tides and around oyster bars

Nearshore Gulf Action: The Gulf waters are providing outstanding opportunities with:

• Quality mangrove snapper around structure
• Sheepshead gathering in growing numbers
• Gag grouper testing anglers' skills
• Hogfish providing delicious table fare
• Productive fishing on both natural and artificial reefs

TACKLE & TECHNIQUE TIPS
For backcountry success, we're finding live shrimp and artificial soft plastics highly effective when worked around deeper potholes and channel edges. In the Gulf, fresh cut bait and shrimp are producing quality catches around structure and reefs.

LOOKING AHEAD: 2025 BOCA GRANDE TARPON SEASON
The legendary Boca Grande tarpon season is approaching quickly! Known worldwide as the "Tarpon Fishing Capital," our waters host the largest concentration of tarpon anywhere during peak season.
Prime Booking Windows:

• April: Early season opportunities
• May: Peak migration begins
• June: Prime-time action
• July: Extended season opportunities

The mighty "Silver King" awaits, offering the chance to battle one of sportfishing's most spectacular gamefish. These magnificent creatures, often exceeding 100 pounds, provide unforgettable memories and the fight of a lifetime.

BOOKING INFORMATION
Don't miss your chance to experience world-class tarpon fishing! Prime dates are filling quickly for the 2025 season. Contact Salty Jaw Charters to reserve your spot and check this bucket-list experience off your list.

Whether you're a seasoned angler or planning your first tarpon adventure, we provide all the expertise and equipment needed for a successful day on the water. From tackle selection to fighting techniques, we'll ensure you're prepared for the battle of a lifetime.

Southwest Florida's legendary fishing grounds around Boca Grande are delivering exceptional action as we enjoy a stretch of perfect weather conditions. Local anglers and visitors alike are finding diverse opportunities both inshore and nearshore, with multiple species providing consistent action.
One of the most exciting developments is the arrival of sheepshead, as these highly sought-after fish begin their seasonal migration to our waters. Known for their exceptional table fare and challenging fishing tactics, sheepshead are providing anglers with both entertaining battles and delicious rewards. These striped battlers are typically found around structure, bridge pilings, and dock areas, responding well to live shrimp and fiddler crab baits.

The nearshore fishing scene continues to impress, with healthy populations of both lane and mangrove snapper being caught around natural and artificial reefs. Gag grouper are also making their presence known, giving anglers the opportunity to tangle with these hard-fighting bottom dwellers. These species are responding well to live bait presentations and are providing excellent action for both experienced anglers and families looking for a memorable day on the water.

In the rich backcountry waters, spotted seatrout numbers remain strong, offering consistent action for both artificial and live bait anglers. Adding to the inshore diversity, pompano are making occasional appearances, while redfish are mixing into the catch, creating exciting opportunities for anglers targeting these glamour species. The key to success has been focusing on moving water around oyster bars and grass flats.

For those planning a fishing trip to Boca Grande, current conditions suggest this is an optimal time to experience the diverse fishing opportunities our waters have to offer. Whether you're targeting tasty sheepshead, working the nearshore reefs for snapper and grouper, or exploring the backwaters for trout and redfish, the fishing action remains strong across all zones.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor the evolving fishing patterns in our area.

Another incredible day on the water with longtime client and friend Russ Bayner, targeting triple tail along the pristine beaches of Boca Grande and Manasota Key. While the sight casting opportunities were selective, our persistence paid off with several quality catches that made the day memorable.

One of the highlights was exploring the newly formed pass that Hurricane Milton carved through the southern tip of Manasota Key – a dramatic reminder of nature's raw power reshaping our coastline. For anglers planning their Southwest Florida fishing adventures, I'm happy to report that Boca Grande is back to full operations, offering all its world-class fishing opportunities.

For those interested in the Manasota Key area, the restaurant scene and beach access are expected to make a strong comeback by mid-to-late January, just in time for peak season. The recovery efforts have been impressive, and the fishing remains outstanding.

Looking ahead, I'm already securing dates for the highly anticipated 2025 Tarpon season. If you've dreamed of battling the legendary "Silver King" in the Tarpon Capital of the World, now's the perfect time to lock in your spot with Salty Jaw Charters. Don't miss your chance at the fishing experience of a lifetime!

Capt. Jesse Beye

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Had a great day with Mike Sheffar from Canada this last weekend. It was a very windy morning with some cooler temperature's, but we ended up catching a pile of fish with multiple inshore slams that morning. All three main species were biting in the back waters around Boca Grande which made for an epic day. Once the wind decides to lay down there will be lots of opportunities to chase king and Spanish mackerel out in the Gulf of Mexico in the coming months. While Manasota key and boca grande will take some time to heal up with accommodations for people to stay. There are still plenty of rentals off islands to stay for your fishing adventure. 

Salty Jaw Charters has been sidelined the last few weeks due to hurricane Helene and Milton. The coast line got pretty battered up after the storms but we are still in full operation. Boca Grande needs a couple months to get patched up, but theres plenty of rentals around the Englewood area for those looking for some great fall fishing. Lots of great species to capture a memory with around our are.

Whether your looking for shallow water fishing or getting out in the Gulf of Mexico we’ve got you covered so book your trip today.