Boca Grande Tarpon Fishing

Boca Grande, Fl.
20 May 2009
It's tarpon season in Florida. We concentrate on the silver king throughout the summer. The fish are in good numbers this year and are appearing in numerous places. Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbour and the beaches off Little Gasparilla Island are holding fish. It is not unusual to see 500 or more fish per day. Our success has been limited. Windy conditions and clear water require long casts that are very accurate. Refusals are common. Sometimes even perfect casts are turned down. Changing patterns often helps. But, each day we have had fish either take the fly or show a lot of interest. Today is the third day of cloudy, rainy conditions due to a small tropical system centered over Florida. This will soon pass and the fishing should get better this weekend.
Our alternative species is snook. There are a lot of snook along our beaches and in the passes. Steve Gibson's design of the DT Special seems to be the right fly. See www.kyakfishingsarasota.com for the pattern.
The best patterns for tarpon have been the Puglisi Peanut Butter, Bill Bishop's Mouse and Death by Rabbit ( a black/purple design). It is important to remember that tarpon will eat what is easy for them regardless of the pattern. So... presentation is more important than the exact design or color.
If you intend to tarpon fish you should practise casting a 12 wt. rod. You'll need to throw 60 feet of line quickly and accuartely. Do not assume you can do it if you don't practise. Handling a 12 wt. is much different from a 10 wt. Afterall, you wouldn't want to spoil opportunities after coming to tarpon country because you were over confident. Besides, it will make your guide's life much better if you can cast well.
If you are going to fish for tarpon in the next few weeks, contact me for the latest info.
Fish Hard,
Capt. Pete Greenan www.floridaflyfishing.com

Tarpon charters Capt Andy Boyette - Liar! BEWARE !!
5/22/09

My husband and Father have been looking forward to this 4 day fishing hiatus for months. We love game fishing as well as deep sea fishing. We logged in and researched some of the fishing charters for the southeast Florida Tarpon charters. We found Capt Andy Boyette's sites Tarponcharters.com. GoFishCharters.com. Spoke to the Capt. several times to make sure we actually used the boat he advertises, get a feel for the Capt, plans for the trip etc. Several calls to confirm the trip includig the morning of the trip as we were driving about 2 hours from Naples to Gasprilla Island. We called in the morning to conrfirm we were still on and he never bothered to return our call. That was our first warning sign!

We were to go fishing at 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm. We had lunch at The Pink Elephant. I highly recommend the grilled grouper sandwich.

We walked over to the dock across the street and there is the Tarponcharter.com boat. Capt Andy standing on the other dock talking to another angler. We introduce ourselves, and he is quick to say "I am not taking you out today because I am sick, I went to the doctor yesterday and had to get a shot" . He said he arranged for a different boat and Capt to take us out. He avoided answering the question as to why he failed to call us and let us know this. I inquired as to why if he was so sick was he there on the dock. Then he tells me he thought it was his sinuses and the shot was an allergy shot. Lame excuses now flowing from his mouth, one lie after another, he is not keep them straight. Now, the other boat that is supposedly taking us out is not even there yet. He is trying to sell us on this other person, taking us out to go tarpon fishing. As I am talking to him, this other couple walks up, a woman wearing bikini top, boobs hanging out comes up and gives him a great big hug rubbing her tits all over his chest as she does so. They get on his boat and he is now planning to leave with them and take them out fishing !!! Well, What is going on here ! It is fairly obvious, this Capt. Andy Boyette is so dishonest, and unprofessional ! He is getting ready to leave and mind you at this time the other boat is not even there to pick us up. We doubt that it is really even going to show up. We let him know we are very unhappy with all of this, his reply is either you want to fish or you don't I have someone else set up to take you out fishing. You just stay here and a guy is going to show up with a ranger boat to take you out. A RANGER boat is maybe big enough for the Capt and one angler not 3 people and the Capt. He left ... and so did we.

When you make arrangements for a trip like this, with activities packed in every day of a brief 4 day trip, you don't want to get stuck having been stood up by someone this dishonest, unreputable. He did make sure to charge our credit card for the deposit several weeks ago. I would not risk making plans with this guy.

Now keep in mind, we do A LOT of fishing on the Golf Coast. We asked for recommendations on who to fish with and who not to fish with. We have not done any Tarpon fishing and needless to say are extremely disappointed with the likes of this Capt Andy Boyette. Don't risk a MISADVENTURE with this DISHONEST, LIAR, BAIT AND SWITCH, UNPROFFESSIONAL, UNRELIABLE, EXCUSE MAKING, SHMUCK !!! He screwed up our short fishing hiatus. When you work hard and make plans for a brief getaway, you don't want to have that trip be cancelled / screwed up by someone like this. If you live locally and have the luxury to reschedule whenever I guess you wont mind using someone like this. But I wouldn't risk it.

"We go to great lengths to ensure our clients achieve a memorable fishing charter" BEWARE !!!!
This guy has several different websites with different names. Now we know the reason for this.

TARPONCHARTERS.COM, GOFISHCHARTERS.COM, CAPT. ANDY BOYETTE.
BEWARE, DISHONEST, LIAR, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK !

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I don't know Boyette very well. I hope you give tarpon fishing another chance. I suggest you talk to a fly shop about a guide next time. They have a vested interest in using reliable guides.
Capt. Pete

Capt Pete. Thank you for the advise. I will be sure to check out our next guide very well including references, and checking the fishing forums.

That is a good idea. I hope you have a wonderful summer fishing.
Pete