Classic Aquasport

This controversy has been raging for years. Live bait fishermen in Boca Grande pass pioneered the fishery decades ago. However, in the last 10-15 years, anglers using jigs have had great success in landing tarpon in the pass. This has angered the old guard live bait crowd, as they claim the aggressive techniques and boats (generally outboards) used by the jiggers disrupt the natural flow of the pass and the fish that call it home.

The jiggers on the other hand claim that the live baiters are just suffering from a case of sour grapes, refusing to bring their techniques into the 21st century. I'm undecided on the impact that jig fishing has on the tarpon fishery in Boca Grande. However, I have also personally been on the receiving end of some of the old schoolers in Boca who for all intents and purposes tend to think they own the waters of the pass. And, if you ain't doing things their way, then you're just doing things wrong.

Several years ago, a live bait charter captain ran up on me while I was fighting a tarpon just outside the pass (in an area known as "The Pan"). In a maneuver to position his boat and client in a favorable location vis-à-vis the pod, he intentionally ran over my taught line and proceeded to reach into the water, lift my line (w/ tarpon attached), place it in his mouth, and bite the mono until it broke. Needless to say, not a very friendly bunch!