A friend and I each had boats on the sound for years. Mine was more of an inshore boat , he had a nice one for further out.
We fished the central Sound coastal areas AT LEAST once a week for a very long time--he still does, I sold the boat went to SR country.
It was a nice arrangement- His boat was moored around Clinton  and up the coast a few miles later on--mine was being trailored around to other areas.
Lotsa fish and lotsa great memories.
 

I can't believe how productive the Jersey charters and party boats were. Use to go out  and  come home with FOOD. Even went out for whiting. Tons of good smoked fish!  Never used spin gear, Jack, except on charters. That is one way to have a blast at a low price point. I wish I'd tried it.  The head boats out of northern Ma. and NH all go for cod and haddock and other tasty groundfish, but it seems VERY hit or miss and not very likely to get you into much fun.  Huge weights and pool cues only.  It's a shame Jersey got so overbuilt and overpopulated. Was a good place to be a fisherman when I grew up.

pafisher
!Hey Darby,when is the best time and place for those 75# tarpon?

As with most fishing -- that depends.

There are always tarpon in the back country of the Keys, but they tend to be smaller -- 10--50. For the 75+ fish, it is migratory fish up the ocean side. The typical season is May to early July in the Keys.

This will be my 16th year going the third week of June. Some years it is pretty much over, casting to 10--20 pods of fish per day. Some years it is perfect timing, casting to 50+ pods of fish in day.

Darby,do you use a guide or go it alone,and is all the fishing from a boat or can you wade?

Charlie I used to fish the Jersey fresh water scene too.In fact there were a few years that I did n't have a Penna. license as we always went to the Garden State.Musky,Paullinskil,Pequest,etc, rivers and Swartswood,Bear,Hopatcong,etc. lakes were some that we frequented.

pafisher
Darby,do you use a guide or go it alone,and is all the fishing from a boat or can you wade?

There are probably places one can wade in the back country, but I'm not sure how you would get there.

Fishing the ocean side of the Keys requires a boat, fly gishing it effectively requires a flats boat with a poling platform.

I have used the same guide for years. Some one literally has to die to get scheduled with him during the migration.

I have chased tarpon elsewhere, but not with the type of success found in the Keys.

Three weeks from today, I'll be there.

DarDys

pafisher
Darby,do you use a guide or go it alone,and is all the fishing from a boat or can you wade?

There are probably places one can wade in the back country, but I'm not sure how you would get there.

Fishing the ocean side of the Keys requires a boat, fly gishing it effectively requires a flats boat with a poling platform.

I have used the same guide for years. Some one literally has to die to get scheduled with him during the migration.

I have chased tarpon elsewhere, but not with the type of success found in the Keys.

Three weeks from today, I'll be there.

I hope you have a blast Darby.....and thanks for your info.

Yes great info dardys... I have always heard the keys are the spot for tarpon while Andros is the place for bones. Really would love to grab a tarpon one of these days. My father is retiring down in Florida so I may get the chance. Have fun on your annual adventure

You are welcome. And thanks for the well wishes on this trip.

I have chased tarpon in the Keys, Belize, and the Yucatan. The best results have been the Keys with regard to numbers and size.

I have caught bones in the Keys, Bahamas, Belize, and several areas in and around Mexico. I agree, Andros is the best I have experienced for numbers and probably average size. Although the biggest bone I have caught, 11 pounds, was a March fish from around Islamorada.

I'll post the results, good or bad.