Tarpon Season is Upon Us!

Southwest Florida is the tarpon fishing mecca of North America, and Boca Grande is recognized worldwide as the Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World — and for good reason. Tarpon season is here, and the fishing is already firing up across some of the best tarpon waters on the planet!

Tarpon season is rapidly approaching in Southwest Florida, and the action around Palm Island, Manasota Key, and Boca Grande Pass is already heating up. With spring temperatures rising, the legendary "Silver King" are beginning to show up in strong numbers, signaling the start of one of the most thrilling and sought-after fishing seasons in all of Florida tarpon fishing.

The highest concentrations of fish are currently being reported in the southern sound, Boca Grande Pass, and along the beaches of Palm Island and Manasota Key — prime spots for both nearshore tarpon fishing and inshore fishing in Southwest Florida. Tarpon are pouring in from the Gulf of Mexico, with schools gathering along the beachfront and inside the passes. The early morning tarpon bite has been particularly productive, with many anglers finding calm, rolling schools of fish moving during first light — ideal conditions for sight fishing for tarpon in Florida.

The water in the Boca Grande area is exceptionally clear right now, creating incredible sight-casting opportunities for tarpon. However, the clean water can make fish more skittish, and tarpon fishing on the flats may require a more finesse-based approach with lighter presentations.

Now is an incredible time for tarpon fishing charters in Southwest Florida, whether you're a seasoned angler chasing a world-class tarpon on fly or a first-timer looking to experience the best tarpon fishing in Florida. Don't miss your shot at the Silver King this season — Boca Grande and Palm Island are calling. Book your Southwest Florida tarpon fishing trip today!

Tarpon Season in Palm Island, Florida — Book Your Charter with Capt. Mike

Every spring, the waters surrounding Palm Island, Florida come alive with one of the most thrilling events in all of sport fishing — tarpon season. Schools of massive Silver King push in from the Gulf of Mexico, rolling along the beaches, stacking up in the passes, and giving anglers the kind of heart-pounding action that keeps them coming back year after year. If experiencing world-class tarpon fishing in Southwest Florida is on your bucket list, there is no better way to do it than from the deck of a boat with an experienced local captain. Capt. Mike knows these waters inside and out, and he's ready to put you on fish.

When most people think of tarpon fishing in Southwest Florida, Boca Grande gets all the headlines — and rightfully so. Boca Grande Pass is widely recognized as the Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World, and the fishing there is as good as it gets. But the waters surrounding Palm Island are equally world-class and offer a more intimate fishing experience. Nestled along Florida's Gulf Coast between Englewood and Boca Grande, Palm Island sits at the heart of some of the most productive tarpon fishing grounds in all of North America. From the pristine Gulf beaches to the nearshore flats and the legendary waters of Boca Grande Pass, this stretch of Southwest Florida coastline is absolutely loaded with tarpon from late spring through early summer.

Capt. Mike has spent years mastering the art of tarpon fishing along the Palm Island, Manasota Key, and Boca Grande Pass corridor. He understands the tides, the seasonal fish movements, and the techniques that consistently put anglers on fish. Whether you prefer the thrill of sight casting to rolling tarpon on the flats, live bait fishing in the pass, or testing your skills with a fly rod, Capt. Mike will tailor the trip to your experience level and put you in the best possible position for a hookup.

Tarpon are one of the most powerful and acrobatic game fish in the world. When a 100 to 150-pound Silver King inhales your bait and launches itself into the air, everything changes. Your heart races, your arms burn, and every second of the fight is burned into your memory forever. It's the kind of fishing experience that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else, and Palm Island is one of the finest places on earth to have it.

Tarpon season along the Palm Island and Boca Grande area typically runs from late April through July, with May and June widely considered the peak months for tarpon fishing in Southwest Florida. During this time, massive schools of tarpon migrate along the Gulf Coast beaches and funnel through Boca Grande Pass in numbers that are truly staggering. Water temperatures in the mid-70s, calm Gulf conditions, and an abundance of bait make this stretch of the season the most productive and exciting time to target the Silver King. Early morning trips are particularly rewarding, as tarpon tend to be most active and approachable during the first light of day when the water is calm and the fish are relaxed.

One of the most remarkable aspects of tarpon fishing around Palm Island is the stunning natural beauty and exceptional water clarity. The clean, clear Gulf water allows anglers to spot rolling and cruising tarpon from a distance, setting up precise, targeted casts to individual fish. Sight fishing for tarpon is widely considered one of the ultimate challenges in all of saltwater fishing. It demands patience, accuracy, and nerves of steel — but when everything comes together and a giant tarpon eats your offering right in front of your eyes, there is nothing quite like it in the world of sport fishing.

There are plenty of fishing charters operating in Southwest Florida during tarpon season, but local knowledge and experience make all the difference. Capt. Mike brings an unmatched understanding of the Palm Island and Boca Grande Pass fishery, a passion for putting his clients on fish, and a commitment to making every trip safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable. He works with anglers of all skill levels, from seasoned tarpon veterans to complete beginners, and takes pride in delivering a first-class experience on the water every single time.

Spots are limited and tarpon season charters fill up fast. Whether you're planning a solo trip, a family fishing adventure, or an outing with friends, now is the time to lock in your date. The Silver King are on their way, the water is warming up, and Capt. Mike is ready to take you on the tarpon fishing trip of a lifetime.
Book your Palm Island tarpon fishing charter with Capt. Mike today — before the boats are full and the season passes you by.

Fishing is heating up in the Lemon Bay, Englewood Beach, and Palm Island area as of March 1st, with snook season now open. Key strategies include targeting shallow flats, mangrove edges, and pass areas during early morning or evening incoming tides with live bait or topwater lures.

Snook: With the spring opening, snook are moving from deeper winter haunts to shallow flats and passes. Excellent action is expected in the early mornings on moving tides.

Other Species: Good numbers of redfish and spotted seatrout are being caught on the shallow flats. Pompano are still being caught in the bay’s deeper channels, and Spanish mackerel are appearing in the Gulf.

Locations: Focus on Stump Pass, the ICW, and around the docks and seawalls of Palm Island and Manasota Key.

Tips: Live shrimp, white bait, and soft plastics (e.g., DOA Shrimp) are producing well.

Note: Snook season is open from March 1 to April 30 in this region, with a slot limit of 28–33 inches and a limit of one fish per person per day.

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

Redfish populations are making a strong comeback in Lemon Bay, with consistent, high-volume action (10-20 fish days) around Manasota Key and Palm Island, including both juvenile and "breeder" sized fish. Sunny winter afternoons provide prime sight-casting opportunities on shallow grass flats and mangroves, with live shrimp, pin fish, and gold spoons yielding excellent results.
 
With consistent action, this area near Englewood has become a prime location for finding quality redfish, providing great, non-lethal (catch-and-release) fishing opportunities. 

Sheepshead fishing around Lemon Bay, Manasota Key, and Palm Island is excellent during winter and early spring (Jan–April), as they congregate near structure to spawn. Target dock pilings, mangrove roots, and bridges using fiddler crabs or small shrimp on #2 hooks with a 10-15 lb fluorocarbon leader. High tide is generally best, providing plenty of water to access food sources.


Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

This winter is prime time for a redfish fishing charter around Palm Island and Manasota Key. Post-front conditions are excellent, with fish moving from creeks onto warmer grass flats and potholes, feeding heavily on shrimp and sand fleas. When you book a fishing charter with us, we'll target oyster bars and mangrove edges as waters rebound, using live shrimp under a popping cork or free-lined presentations for consistent catches. Our fishing charter reports show solid numbers—even rebounding from past seasons.

The cooler water temperatures have concentrated the redfish into predictable feeding zones, making this an ideal time to book a fishing charter and experience some of the best action Southwest Florida has to offer. The shallow flats around Manasota Key are particularly productive during the late morning and afternoon tides when the sun warms the water and triggers aggressive feeding behavior. Live shrimp remain our go-to bait, but don't overlook the effectiveness of fresh sand fleas, especially around the oyster bar structure where redfish gather for warmth and food.

As we transition into late winter, conditions should only improve. The combination of warming trends and incoming tides will push more redfish onto the shallow flats, creating even better opportunities for your fishing charter. Whether you're an experienced angler or looking to book your first redfish fishing charter, now is absolutely the time to get on the water.

It's a fantastic time to book your fishing charter in South West Florida! Contact Capt. Mike Slattery at 941-626-6946 to reserve your redfish fishing charter today and experience why Palm Island remains one of the premier redfish destinations on the Gulf Coast.

Winter redfish action around Manasota Key and Palm Island remains steady and consistent when you book with experienced Palm Island fishing charters that understand how to adjust tactics for cooler water temperatures. While the massive fall spawning schools have dispersed, excellent opportunities still exist for targeting reds in the inshore waters of Lemon Bay and surrounding tidal creeks when you're guided by professional Palm Island fishing charters.

Success with Palm Island fishing charters comes down to adapting to post-front conditions and timing your efforts during the warmest parts of the day—a strategy our experienced captains know well.

Following cold nights, water temperatures settle in the low 70s and warm up through mid-day. Since redfish are cold-blooded and seek warmer water, the sunny afternoon feeding window is prime time—something Palm Island fishing charters capitalize on. Redfish move from deeper channels onto shallow, dark mud or grass flats as the sun heats the water. On low, outgoing tides, they stage in potholes, creek mouths, or deeper cuts where they ambush bait—prime spots that Palm Island fishing charters target consistently. Winter also brings exceptionally clear water conditions, making sight-casting on shallow flats highly effective.

Book your Palm Island fishing charter today to experience this steady winter action firsthand.

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946

The inshore fishing around Palm Island and Manasota Key is currently excellent for snook and trout, with a consistent bite on the shallow flats and along mangrove edges, while the redfish action is steady but requires a bit more searching. Fishing charters in this area have been capitalizing on these conditions, and the key to success has been targeting fish during the warmer parts of the day as water temperatures stabilize after recent cool snaps.

Fishing Charters in Palm Island, Florida - What You Can Catch

Snook: The snook bite has been described as "hot" with a high volume of fish being caught on fishing charters throughout the region. Anglers are finding abundant action around mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and points with good current flow. Most fish are in the 14-25 inch range, with some slot-sized and over-slot fish being landed, especially near deeper structure. Live pilchards (whitebait) free-lined or a 3/8 oz jig head with a white grub tail are top bait choices for fishing charter operators.

Redfish: The redfish bite is steady, though numbers are a bit more scattered than during their peak spawn a few weeks ago. Fishing charters are focusing on grassy areas with nearby oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, or sandy potholes, particularly on low, outgoing tides where they stage to ambush bait. On sunny afternoons, look for them moving onto skinny water flats to warm up, making for great sight-casting opportunities on guided fishing charter trips. Live shrimp, cut mullet, or artificial lures like gold spoons and slow-rolled paddletails are effective.

Trout: Spotted sea trout remain the most dependable species for consistent action and keeper fish on fishing charters. They are prevalent on the deeper edges of grass flats and channel edges. Drifting and bouncing jigs or using a live shrimp under a popping cork are popular and effective techniques utilized by fishing charter captains. The action is expected to continue strongly through the end of the year as they thrive in the cooler, clear water conditions.

Tips for a Successful Fishing Charter Trip

Tides: The fish are very tidal; moving water is key as it brings them food. Plan your fishing charter trip around the moving tides, especially the incoming or outgoing tides.

Weather: After a cold night, focus your fishing charter efforts on the warmer afternoons when the sun has had a chance to heat the shallow flats.

Gear: For snook and redfish, a 25 to 40 lb fluorocarbon leader is recommended to prevent the line from being cut on structure or the fish's gear rakers. This is standard equipment on most fishing charters in the area.

With a notable cool front moving into Southwest Florida, water temperatures are beginning to drop, triggering classic fall and winter fishing patterns. This shift in weather ushers in some of the year's most exciting inshore action, especially for our fishing charters targeting pompano and redfish around Palm Island and Manasota Key.

The cooling weather is the signal that smart anglers wait for, as it initiates the migration of pompano into the inshore waters and along the beaches. These hard-fighting and delicious fish are highly sensitive to water temperatures, with their "sweet spot" being between 65°F and 75°F. As the air cools and the shallow water temperatures decrease from their summer highs, the pompano push in to feed heavily on crustaceans in the bays, passes, and surf zones near Palm Island and Manasota Key.

Hot Spots: Look for pompano in areas with good current and sandy bottoms, such as channels between grass flats, around passes, and along the surf line. Choppy conditions can also be productive as they stir up the sand and bait.

Effective Baits & Lures: The go-to baits are sand fleas (mole crabs), live or fresh dead shrimp, and small pieces of clam. Many anglers find success using a two-hook pompano rig. For artificial enthusiasts, banana jigs or Pompano Jigs (pink or orange are popular colors) bounced along the bottom in sandy potholes are deadly effective.

While the initial cold snap might scatter the redfish temporarily, the bite improves quickly as the weather stabilizes and the sun warms the shallow grass flats. Redfish will move from deeper creeks and rivers onto these flats during the warmer parts of the day to feed and soak up the sun. The key is to target them as the water starts to warm back up after a cool night or several days of consistent weather. Our fishing charters around Palm Island and Manasota Key are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this action.

Best Locations: Target grassy areas with nearby oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, or sandy potholes. On low, outgoing tides, focus on potholes or creek mouths where fish stage to ambush bait.

Recommended Techniques: Live shrimp is a top choice under a popping cork or free-lined. Artificial lures such as soft plastic shrimp imitations (like a DOA Shrimp) or weedless gold spoons are also very productive, especially when sight-fishing on clear, shallow flats.

The current weather pattern is shaping up for fantastic fishing. Anglers can expect to enjoy a high-volume pompano run now and solid redfish action on the flats, especially during the warmer parts of the day as the post-front conditions normalize. Now is a prime time to book a fishing charter and experience some of the best fishing Southwest Florida has to offer in the Palm Island and Manasota Key areas.

Snook Season is OPEN! October 1st marks the highly anticipated opening of Snook season here in Southwest Florida, giving anglers the opportunity to harvest one of South Florida's most iconic and sought-after gamefish.

Snook are among the most prized gamefish in our state waters, and for good reason. These powerful fighters can be successfully targeted using a variety of methods. Whether you prefer live bait, artificial lures, or fly fishing gear, all have proven effective for landing snook in our local waters.

One of the best aspects of snook fishing is their versatility in habitat. You'll find these fish in an incredible range of locations throughout SWFL. Wade the coastal beaches at dawn or dusk, fish jetties and bridges during tidal movements, sight-cast to cruising fish on backcountry flats and along mangrove shorelines, or target the banks and outlets of fresh and brackish water lakes. This diversity means every trip offers new opportunities and challenges, keeping the fishing fresh and exciting.

The slot limit for keeper snook is 28" to 33" total length. Remember: you must "pinch the tail" and measure the fish at its maximum length for an accurate reading. With only a 5-inch harvest window, landing a legal snook is a true accomplishment—but the hunt for that perfect fish is all part of the adventure.

With snook season now open, there's no better time to experience world-class fishing in Southwest Florida. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, the thrill of targeting these magnificent fish in our pristine waters is an experience you won't forget.

Ready to book your trip?
Capt. Mike Slattery
📞 941-626-6946
Tight lines and happy fishing!

Tarpon Fishing Time!!! It's summer time in South West Florida and that means Tarpon are flooding into the area by the thousands. Early morning beach fishing, or late afternoon hill tides, there are lots of different ways to target these majestic fish throughout the area. 

Pictures this week are from my Oldest son's 150lb class Tarpon he landed this week, while fishing with his friends.  Drifting passes throughout the day can produce bites. Obviously, there are more productive and less productive tides, but the opportunity is gifted to those that work for it. Getting the opportunity to get in the water to release your fish, is a tarpon fisherman dream!!!

And, also pictured are photos from Rylan's first unassisted tarpon when he was 9 years old. Along with some snook fishing photos, including a 42" fish he landed when he was only 6 years old!!! Congratulations Rylan Slattery, you are becoming quite the fisherman, I love you and am proud of you!!!

It's a fantastic time to go fishing in South West Florida!!!

Capt. Mike Slattery
941-626-6946
www.palmislandoutfitters.com