Most of my trips this week took place during the early morning hours. I had a few productive days mixed in with a couple slower ones, but that’s been pretty typical lately.

One of the better mornings started by drifting the ICW drop offs in search of tarpon while putting the new Q8 Super Baits curly tail to the test. It didn’t take long to find fish. I lost one after an explosive aerial display, but a short time later connected with another that put on an incredible show before finally coming alongside the kayak. As the tarpon bite slowed, I made my way to a nearby mangrove covered spoil island, where a corner with nervous baitfish gave away the presence of a quality snook. After a hard fought battle that included several attempts to bury itself in the mangroves, I finally got the fish under control. I also found a few trout around the island before heading in.

On another early morning trip, I found tarpon holding around the ends of deeper docks while fishing with live pinfish. They were willing to eat, but keeping them buttoned up was another story.

If you’re getting out early, starting on the deeper ICW drop offs for tarpon before transitioning to spoil islands, mangrove shorelines, and docks for snook continues to be a solid game plan.