Tarpon, Tarpon, Tarpon Although the bite has been noticeably different from day to day, casting to tarpon numbering in the dozens or tens of dozens has been pretty routine for the last few weeks. I'm pretty sure I haven't slept past 03:45 more than once or twice for about three weeks now, but most days, the extra effort made to leave the dock in the dark has paid off. Believe it or not, it's actually been harder to catch snook and redfish than it has been to find and catch tarpon for several weeks ... Due primarily to the fact that we have been concentrating on fly fishing for tarpon almost exclusively since the beginning of June. Snook fishing during the summer months can be absolutely fantastic, provided you concentrate on snook fishing ... Know what I mean? That means no stopping here or there to see about a tarpon spot or two on the way down south ... It means running straight to your favorite snook spot -- with your rods rigged -- and casting poppers and/or sliders with 9-weights or topwater plugs with baitcasters or spinning rods. Oh, and don't forget the 50, 60 and 80 lb. leader! Snook are every bit, or more, temperature sensitive than tarpon ... Getting to the bite early is what it's all about. Changing gears can be somewhat effective if you're casting jigs or spoons later in the day, but most of the biggest snook on fly rods will be caught between 06:00 and 08:00 during the summer months. After that, most fishable areas will be void of the biggest snook until surface temperatures have cooled again considerably. Of course, there are exceptions that occur during different stages of the incoming tides, but for the most part the morning falling tide is where it's at for big snookin'! As for the tarpon, give me a call and we'll see what we can work out! Ha! Your Guide, Bill Faulkner, Naples