The most exciting and rewarding way to fish these tarpon are with plugs. Mirrolures and Cotee Button Eye Minnows are top producers. A 4 inch shad tail jig is a top producer as well. Artificial lure enthusiasts troll large silver Crocodile spoons and diving 7-inch Mirrolures in various rivers during the summer. The Hillsborough River and surrounding ship basins are time-proven producers.
Many sportsmen love casting flies, plugs and corked live bait at rolling tarpon.
Fish are often found around the deep flats off Apollo Beach, Mermaid Point, MacDill Air Force Base, and the mud flats near St. Pete - Clearwater Airport. Pay close attention to the crab trap lines for a bonus triple tail. In closing, I'd like to say it's been a great pleasure offering you this series on my favorite Florida gamefish. Your response has been overwhelming, and I hope you've enjoyed reading about these fascinating animals. For those who couldn't make it down this year to sample the action first-hand, we look forward to seeing you in the future.