Boca Grande - Charlotte Harbor, Florida - Tarpon, Snook and Redfish - light tackle and fly fishing Charters with fishing guide Capt. Mark Bennett-FAQ

Boca Grande - Charlotte Harbor, Florida - Tarpon, Snook and Redfish - light tackle and fly fishing charters with fishing guide Capt. Mark Bennett

Other Fish

What is flats and backcountry Fishing?

We fish the calm shallow bays, beaches and barrier islands with light tackle. The endless maze of tidal creeks and mangrove islands holds a host of large game fish. Tarpon, snook and redfish are just a few of the species that we encounter.

Are tarpon the only species of fish you target?

Absolutely not! I make a living year round fishing for all of the species of game fish this area has to offer. Snook, redfish, cobia, tripletail and seatrout just to name a few. However, during tarpon season (May-September) I do not fish for anything but tarpon. Unless bad or windy/rough conditions keep us from tarpon fishing (and that rarely ever happens).

Why do mullet jump?

Mullet jump because they are happy.

Where are we located?

Boca Grande/Englewood area is about one hour south of St. Petersburg/Tampa. Two hours southwest of Orlando and one hour north of Ft. Myers. We usually depart out of Boca Grande. Either at the Placida boat ramp at the base of the causeway or at 5th street at the Pink Elephant docks. We also launch at several other locations, in order to be closer to the fish. If you are staying on Boca Grande on the water (bayside), Little Gasparilla Island or Palm Island Resort we can also pick you up there.

What do we need for the trip?

What ever you might eat and drink. We supply tackle, fishing license, bait and a cooler full of ice. Polarized sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended but not necessary.

What type of tackle do you use, do I need to bring my own?

All of my tackle is state of the art. Mostly spinning tackle, but we use a few conventional reels. All of my rods are provided by St. Croix rods. Whatever the species we are after we will be rigged to the hilt for them. If you want to bring your favorite rod talk to me and I will tell you what you need as far as line size etc.

NO BANANAS ALLOWED ON BOAT DURING TARPON SEASON!!!

This also means banana muffins, trail mix, etc. I am not kidding!

How do we book a trip?

Give me a call or email. We can discuss and recommend best dates/seasons or check availability for your dates. We can also recommend lodging in Englewood or waterfront on Boca Grande island.

How do we secure a date or dates?

I take a deposit to reserve a date. All deposits are 100% refundable for cancellations due to bad weather or rough seas at my discretion. For customer cancellations, if I can re-book the dates with someone else I will refund your deposit in full.

The Photography on your site is great, how do you get so many great shots?

That is easy, for me anyway. My wife Jenni Bennett is a professional photographer. 90% of the best tarpon photos you have seen over the last few years in Sport Fishing Magazine, Saltwater Sportsman and Florida Sportsman are hers. Being on the water during tarpon season with me full time over the last 13 years and 500+ hookups a season means lots of opportunities. Jenni averages well over 3000 photos per season. The only hard part is choosing from the hundreds of unbelievable shots Jenni gets every season. This translates into magazine quality memories for all of my clients. She has her own website: www.jennibennett.com , where you can purchase prints, calendars, mouse pads and more with all of the top notch photography found on my site.

Why don't you fish for tarpon in Boca Grande pass?

Crowds, crowds and crowds. During the daytime hours the pass has 150+ boats crowded together all racing around trying to fish one spot. Fighting between boats is common. I prefer to fish for tarpon in a more natural state, as far away from boat traffic as possible.

Do you fish any of the tarpon tournaments?

No, I do not fish the tarpon tournaments, because the tarpon tournaments are all held in Boca Grande pass.

Why do other guides say that the pass is the best bet to catch a tarpon?

Because that is where they like to fish.

Don't take the "Boca Grande bait and switch"!

Most all tarpon guides advertise "sight fishing", "fishing the flats and beaches" etc. When in reality they only fish in Boca Grande Pass. If they mention fishing the pass, that is where you will end up. Trust me some things never change.

We talked to another Captain, he said that the beaches and flats are just as crowded as Boca Grande pass. Is this true?

How brain dead is that statement? Or that Captain for that matter? This shows you first hand the dangers of breathing excessive outboard exhaust fumes, caused by fishing in the over crowded pass. One look at any of my photo galleries or Video Page and that will answer your question over and over again.

I was told that the largest tarpon only live in Boca Grande pass, and the fish on the flats and beaches are much smaller.

Another false statement, in fact they are the same fish. Weeks before the tarpon start to gather in Boca Grande pass I am catching them all along the way. Giant pods of tarpon rolling and feeding on the surface is a sight to see. Once fish start to show up in Boca Grande pass that is the time to fish along the beaches. Casting to pods of tarpon finning, rolling and daisy chaining in the clear water is awesome for sure. Something you won't forget. The fish along the beaches are all coming and going from the big pass and other places. They have to get to the pass somehow, don't they? When they start to leave the big pass is even better. Overall boat traffic subsides, the fish are "happier" and so am I.

Other guides tell me that they fish where the "bite" is best whether it is in the pass, on the beach or the flats. What if the fish are only in the pass?

There are two kinds of tarpon guides in our area, ones who fish the pass and ones who don't. There are only a few guides that fish the flats and beaches everyday. I don't know any guides that fish the pass who also fish the flats and beaches on a regular basis no matter what you hear. With miles of coastline, beautiful beaches, mangrove lined islands, grass flats, shoals and rivers, why would all of the fish be in a 2 acre hole. While sitting in the pass everyday, unless these guides are psychic, how would they know anyway? Tarpon roam throughout our area, to think that all of the fish will be in one spot is crazy.

What if we want to fish in Boca Grande Pass or get involved in the many tournaments held there? Are you telling us it is a bad place to fish for tarpon?

No, not at all. The point I am trying to make, fishing in the pass is not my cup of tea. I mean no disrespect to the many guides who make a living fishing there. If you want to fish the pass or get involved in the many tournaments held there call or email me anytime and I will try to point you in the right direction. There are lots of guides that fish the pass everyday and I know some of the ones that have proven the test of time. I will be more than happy to refer you to one of them.

Also if you are thinking of trying tarpon fishing on your own in your boat. Boca Grande pass is the place to start. It is easy to find and doesn't require a lot of the specialized tackle and equipment (specialty boats, trolling motors etc.) to get started.

There are so many fishing guides advertising "Giant Tarpon" and "Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande", how do we choose?

Notice most of them don't even live in this area code. Go figure... Photos don't lie. You can tell when they are old, new, good or bad. How big and how many. They might say they don't take many photos these days, right... How many people do you know that catch 100#+ fish daily and don't take photos?

It is easy to talk the talk, but to walk the walk...tough for most. One day out will let you know,

I live for this!!