I made my first journey right down to the Florida Keys this previous November and naturally, with how a lot I like tarpon I needed to go feed one. So I did the vacationer factor and visited Robbie’s of Islamorada on our first full day down within the Keys after we had about an hour to kill earlier than a snorkeling tour. Situated proper off of U.S. Freeway 1 (Abroad Freeway) on the correct as you cross the bridge onto Decrease Matecumbe Key. Robbie’s has outlets arrange out entrance of the dock in addition to a waterside restaurant that permits you to watch all of the tarpon craziness occurring. They’re additionally a totally functioning marina that has a number of out of doors actions out there for individuals to partake in such, as boat excursions, snorkeling, boat leases, jet ski leases, and fishing charters.
Fishing Protection on AllOutdoor
Whereas I’d have cherished to exit on a celebration boat journey to chase after some patch reef yellowtail or no matter was biting, we have been operating on restricted time that day. We had a 20-minute drive again as much as Tavernier to fulfill the boat, so this was the proper exercise to get probably the most out of our time. A brief little journey earlier than having to make our method again up north U.S. Freeway 1.
Once you pull into the car parking zone you will note loads is occurring at Robbie’s, there are a number of outlets promoting completely different souvenirs and attire. When you get inside Robbie’s propper you simply see about each picket floor lined in greenback payments, apart from the tarpon. Because the signal says don’t put greenback payments on the tarpon, don’t the tarpon. Make your method via the middle in direction of the drink coolers and you will see a manned register the place you pay for admission or fish to feed to the tarpon.
So there are two prices to get entry to the tarpon feeding space. You possibly can simply pay $2.50 per individual for entry simply to stroll across the tarpon feeding space. However that’s not what most individuals are right here for. The buckets of baitfish to feed to the tarpon price an extra $5 per bucket. Every bucket has anyplace from 5 to eight baitfish, today all of it regarded like alewives/pilchards. Although it may be one thing else one other day. Not going to lie this was positively probably the most I’ve ever paid for some useless alewives, proper underneath $1 a bit with 6 bait to the bucket.
Bucket of useless fish in hand we went previous the register and out onto the dock. To the correct, you may see the out of doors consuming space of Robbie’s restaurant, a great use of previous busted fishing rods for an interesting-looking fence. To the left, you may see the water simply boiling with a multitude of huge tarpon. These fish know the deal and are very prepared for a free meal. The smallest of the tarpon in all probability ranged into the 50lb vary with the most important one I noticed being properly into the 150lb+ measurement being properly over 6ft lengthy.
The tarpon perceive very properly what’s going on right here, they may collect round anybody proper close to the sting of the dock anticipating a deal with. They are going to eyeball you making an attempt to see if in case you have a bait for them. It’s truthfully tremendous cool to be so near spectacular fish, they’re known as the silver king for a purpose. The closest I’d ever been to one in every of these within the wild earlier than was 25ft up from the pier so this was a pleasant deal with. Past simply the tarpon, the dock had a bunch of pelicans, these birds are assholes. They are going to chew the piss out of you if given the prospect. They are going to steal your bait out of your hand or bucket in case you don’t take note of the place they’re. I noticed at the least three different vacationers get their baits stolen whereas we have been there. Robbie’s even has grate put up underneath the dock to ensure pelicans can’t conceal underneath the dock and snap at any fingers that come down.
To feed the tarpon seize the bait by its tail in a pinch grip, and convey it fairly near the water. Be sure that to maintain the bait bucket in entrance of you to assist maintain the pelicans from stealing your fish. Then simply wait, the tarpon have wonderful eyesight and can measurement up the bait. Then simply wham a 50 to 150+lb fish will burst out of the water and inhale the bait. More often than not, they may simply seize the bait, however a few instances they inhaled my entire hand consuming the bait. Additionally, don’t be that asshole who tries to seize and choose up the tarpon out of the water. It’s horrible for the fish and also you’ll get kicked out of Robbie’s so quick it’ll make your head spin.
When you’re out of bait, you don’t have to go away straight away you may simply keep and take within the sights, simply make sure you go away your empty bucket on the desk. There may be loads to see moreover simply the tarpon, this large nurse shark got here out from underneath the dock as properly to see if it might snag a chew to eat as properly. Once you’re executed although simply head out the exit gate, and stroll round some like we did. The outlets have been fairly neat and a pair had some cool shot glasses we grabbed for our assortment. When you have a bit time to kill within the center Keys I positively suggest you make a cease right here.
