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By JAY MASTRY
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2001
Proving there is no "correct" method for landing large tarpon, three of the biggest caught around here lately were enticed using different techniques.
Drifting an area of deep water near Egmont Key, Tony Famularo battled a 169-pounder Monday evening. After finding the fish on his bottom machine, he lowered live greenbacks to the indicated depth. The recorder will keep you in the school even when it isn't showing on the surface. Change baits often when drifting, the friskier the better.
Clark Nash guided wife Karen to a 151-pounder on Sunday. Fishing Longboat Key, they sight casted. After finding the fish, anchor your boat well ahead of the school. Have baits presented before the fish get to you. Live baits suspended under corks work well. So does a crab, pinfish, or large minnow flylined ahead of the pod.
Kenny Cleber's 152-pounder was the largest of seven we jumped and four we caught "blind" fishing the edge at Anna Maria on a recent trip. Each was tricked into biting our dead but fresh shad fished on the bottom. This technique allows you to get bites from fish you may not see rolling on the surface.
- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.