During these hot days of Summer we need to bring plenty of liquids and some kind of shade, be it a hat umbrella or a bimini top while out on the water. Those days when the east wind slows and the west wind picks up is when it is miserably still and hot. This is when you may become dehydrated and a P.A. friend of mine told me to chug down two Gatorades and cool down in the AC. It works - I tried it. Enough of that, lets talk about fishing/catching. Offshore this month you could get into those silver kings - Tarpon. Some big sharks are out there - those tiger sharks - that like sea turtles, aren't in compliance with the protected species like we are. There have been a few caught along the coast in Southwest Florida recently. There are AJ's out there also, and some cudas. They like to hang around the wrecks and you may even find some permit hanging around those same wrecks and reefs. There could also be some yellow tails too in the 70' range and there may be a king here and there and red grouper in the 80' range. Coming closer to shore/beach, you will find those linesiders that will be hanging on any type of structure along the beaches and just inside the passes. Then there are several docks that this time of year hold some big dudes. I have seen them out in 45' of water searching for a place to spawn. For those of you that are fishaholics like me and my friends, you could accomplish your S.W. Florida Grande Slam with a snook, red, trout, and tarpon. It is a lot of work but doable and it is a great personal achievement. The snook inshore will be along the edges of the harbor looking for a place to spawn. The reds should be scattered all around S.W. Florida and trout on the flats and grass beds. Trout are fun on a fly rod with a top water popper on a eight weight fly rod. I get most of my tackle from Fishin' Franks where they have the best staff and are very knowledgeable about all types of fishing. They have live shrimp when most don't. If you would like Capt. Bart Marx to teach you some fishing skills on your boat or on his, call 941-979-6517 or captbart@alphaomegacharters.com. Give me a call and we will get you hooked up. And always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{

June in Southwest Florida is full speed ahead for the Silver King / Tarpon in Boca Grande - billed as the best Tarpon fishing in the world. For me, all of Charlotte Harbor is great fishing for these high-flying game fish. All along the coast beaches you can find these tackle testers in search of food as they migrate here to feed and fatten up for the journey into the Gulf to spawn. Anglers from all over the world come to stalk these prize game fish. Some come to use conventional tackle with live baits, crabs,squirrel fish, shrimp, and mutton minnows. And some people come to cast to them off the beaches and around the harbor where you site fish for them, using big spinning reels and longer rods as to be able to cast long distances not to spook the feeding fish. There are others that will bring a fly rod 10-11-12 wt. to cast a fly to the pods of fish. Along the beaches on the bars close to the passes are great for this as it is shallow and you have a better chance to see them.  Also as you stalk these fish, always be aware of others that may have found the pod before you. Give them the room that you would appreciate yourself if you were there first. Most of all, if or when someone hooks up, give them room they need to fight their fish. I have seen fish jump into boats that stay to close and it is ugly. This fishing will continue for the next few months so get out here and get hooked up. I can accommodate all of the tactics that have been mentioned. To book a trip, call Capt. Bart Marx  at 941-979-6517 or e-mail captbart@alphaomegacharters.com  Always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{