The annual summer influx of juvenile sardines varies in size from year to year. This year it seems that the minnows had a great spawn, as dense schools have taken over many areas.

In the past, an unusually large summer migration of small bait has produced unusual fishing action. Every few years the bait gets so thick along the beaches in August and September that it attracts large numbers of tarpon, among other things.

Normally relegated to the stagnant back-waters this time of year, tarpon gorge themselves on tiny minnows. This is one the few times anglers can observe tarpon feeding at close range. A small group of fish will circle a tightly packed bait pod, then dart through the middle, gulping mass quantities of bait.

Watching them flash as they turn sideways through the bait pods is an amazing sight.

As with many fish, when tarpon are focused on eating mouthfuls of very small baitfish it can be difficult to get them to eat a single, dissimilar sized bait on your hook. By floating larger live baits such as thread herring around the perimeter of the bait ball in the open water you usually can get hooked up.

Heavy spinning tackle with a super-braid line is the preferred equipment.

- Ed Walker charters out of Palm Harbor. Call (727) 944-3474 or e-mail TarponEd@aol.com.

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