Lake Tarpon
Published: Updated:
Lake Tarpon Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Lake Tarpon. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
Filter by
All Species
All Seasons
Sort by
Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonFallStructureBaitfishSchooling action has been strong early. Keep you eyes open for raisers and have a walking bait like the Strike King Sexy Dawg ready. 💥
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueDeep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)SeasonFallStructureBaitfishIt is late summer/early fall and the fish are really keyed in on baitfish. Cranking hard spots with suspended bait is the key.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructureBaitfish
Find schools of baitfish and drag Carolina rig underneath them for fish feeding on bait.
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonFallStructurePointsWhile most of the country is cooling down and the fish are moving shallow, the fish on lake tarpon are very much still offshore. With the days getting shorter, but the water temp still in the mid-80s the fish are in a little bit of a funk. The bass are still holding offshore on shallow points. Most of the schools are in between 5 and 9 feet of water. Unlike a month ago, the schools are pretty broken up. You can scan around and find them but you’ll only see a handful together. The Carolina rig has been the best bet to catch these fish. The bass aren’t chasing much so you need something slow, but with the schools busted up you also need something you can keep moving. The c-rig shines in this situation. I build my rig with a 3/4 oz weight and a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG. You can use a lot of different baits, but you want something with a little action. I am throwing it on a Dobyns Champion 765 and a Daiwa Zillion. My main line is 17lb Seaguar Invizx and the leader is 15lb InvizX.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueLipless CrankbaitsSeasonFallStructureSubmerged Vegetation
In 2-4 feet of water with clumps of scattered pepper grass and hydrilla on the edge of 5-6 feet of water with very little grass rip it through with the trap. In the 2-4 feet of water throw the spinner bait , Jack Hammer and the under spin ripping it through the grass.
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonFallStructurePointsOur nights have started to cool off over the last week. Water temps have been fluctuating between 80 and 85 degrees. This temperature fluctuation has the fish pretty messed up. Tournament weights have been way down. This past weekend only took 15 pounds and two weeks ago it only took 10 pounds. The fish are still grouped up in some places but they aren't in as tight of schools as they were. ou have to fan cast around a lot more now but when you get it in front of one they are still biting it pretty aggressively. One of the most efficient ways to find these fish is with a Humminbird Helix Side Imaging unit. Rather than fishing a bunch of dead water, we are marking fish on areas and then turning around to catch them. One of the best ways to cover water, but not move your bait too quickly is to use a Carolina rig. I am sweeping it pretty quickly and not pausing very often. The goal is to get it near a fish, but not swim it away from it really fast. The Zoom Trick worm has been a great bait lately. The fish seem to be turned off by a bigger profile bait. I am rigging it on a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG tied to 15lb Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon. I have gone up to a 3/4oz weight to keep the bait down while I am doing these quicker sweeps. Im throwing it on a Dobyns Champion 765 with a Daiwa Zillion 8.5:1 gear ratio. The fish are starting to act like they want to come shallow, but I think we are still a little while away from that happening. It is supposed to warm back up again this week, so we will see if that groups them back up or makes them even harder to catch. Thanks, Dicky D
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueDeep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)SeasonSummerStructureBaitfishThe water is HOT! Surface temps are 89-92 degrees depending on time of day and location. Fish are lethargic but catching some. Burning crankbaits and dragging Carolina rigs slow around baitfish have been the best.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructurePoints
Fish are in full summer mode. Fish are holding to contours sitting around shad. Fish move up on to points to chase bait. Carolina rig with worm has been catching most fish.
