Member "steel eel" meant to post this but accidentally sent it to me in a b-mail, I want to make sure you guys see this one!!! .... "We went out of windmill point toward the east side of the cut channel and there were about 200 tarpon ruffing up the surface over there. We got close enough to see they were about 40 to 50 lbs and a lot of them. We didn't fish for them as we were set on flounder but, they were there just thought you like to know."

Let me get this straight......
They seen 200 tarpon roughing up the water, got close enough to see them, they were 50 lb class fish and they did'nt even give it a shot?!!!!
Because of flounder?????

I will reserve remaining comments as to not be construded as a mean spirited person.

Windmill point in on the eastern shore? Or the windmill point on the northern neck of virginia?

Where is windmill point on the eastern shore? I never heard of that there.

I think this may be a hoax or a mistake. Seeing 200 tarpon on the surface 30 miles up the bay seems a little strange. I have never heard of them even coming into the bay. Could they have been rockfish or even menhaden?

The farthest north I thought they came was down in the Pamlico Sound / Nuese river in NC......

I have seen them in the bay before over that way, also seen them in the pound nets. been fishin out of Oyster the last six weeks, had 10 on caught 4, the biggest was 82" long with a 52" girth.

Please clarify report's location.Need to fish this Thursday somewhere, just to get away.
Also, just saw a report last week of TARPON being caught August 11th in nets inshore at Newport,Rhode Island.

I would also like to change my plans from Spades to Tarpon if in fact this one is true. Sure would like to hook one. Whats the location.

His report is probably true .Tarpon do infact go that far up the ES.There have been 11 Reported Tarpon Releases in Va this year.They do mass up and roll around in the shallows.Maybe he didnt have any rods that were suited to fish for Tarpon.We dont get many Tarpon reports on this board dont run the guy off especially if you dont know what you are talking about.If you have a report for Tarpon bring it on.

I agree with Mega.I think the report is true, especially after re reading it and see the guy was referring to the eastern side of the cut channel coming from Windmill Point.There is a hump that comes up to 22 ft east of R"52", surrounded by deeper water. The bayside of the eastern shore also seems ideal for tarpon.Less traffic.

I was up past Smith Island Light on the Eastern Shore a few years ago and had 50 or more Tarpon in the 50 lb range all around the boat. I think they were blind or had lock-jaw though!
EG

Ok - don't want to run anybody off. I didn't suggest anyone was lying or anything just wondering if they may have been mistaken. Apparently the 200 tarpon 35 miles into the bay is not as farfetched as I assumed. I think I can help to shed some light on the location. The cut channel is (I think) the shipping channel that runs southeast to the range tower before the shipping channel turns south towards the Cell. The southeastern end of the cut channel is almost 10 miles north of the Cell. This puts the 200 tarpon essentially in the middle of the bay somewhere on the eastern side of the shipping channel. The shipping channel for the most part is 60 feet deep and the water on the eastern side is mostly around 40 feet.

Because the exact area is unknown and there haven't ever been any Citation Tarpon caught in the bay as far as I know and there definitly have been none recorded in the past 6 years I would not recommend targeting these fish around the cut channel without further information.

Manatees in Rudee Inlet isnt normal either but I saw it with my own eyes.The water has been so warm and clean I wouldnt be suprised if a Sailfish was caught at the CB line.

we have tarpon tourneys on the eastern shore every year, does every body live in the dark except mega bite ?

You have tarpon tourneys in the middle of the bay or on the seaside? Generally when people talk about eastern shore tarpon they are talking about the seaside inlets inside of the barrier islands - mainly Oyster Bay but also other barrier islands.

Also from what I know about tarpon, which admittedly is very little, when you see them playing on the surface they are not feeding and generally won't bite. At least that is what I was told and seemed to be confirmed from my trip to Boca Grand when I did see 200 tarpon in the 50 pound class with noone catching any and no charters even trying.

Here is my take. I believe the fish were seen. Don't doubt that for a minute. I just cant imagine this conversation taking place.

"hey Earl what are those fish over there working?

"Don't know , let's take a closer look"

"Awwww, those are tarpon. Look to be 50-75 lbs."

"Can we try for some Earl"??

"Naw, not today Jimmy, we are targeting flounder". LOL

Wireliner I have never heard of a tarpon tourney on eastern shore and I fish for them regularly. New to me, where have I been.

i targeted the silver kings on the shore for the last six years---no fish (except my 140lb monster off of tampa !) the fish dont bite on the shore-so be prepared to sit with a good book and good knife to cut all the bull rays you catch. oh--and with any boat traffic--i mean a small skiff a mile away incoming-the fish spook. the hype--like the housing market--is up this year on the tarpon and will disappear next.

take your boy fisihn

I have a 75 inch one Hanging on my wall.(Reproduction)If they are swimming on the surface and they are in a circle you have a really good chance at a strike.They also hang around in the surf I have seen them.

Last year around this time of year I was flounder fishing at the fishermans inlet bridge on eastern shore and my brother and I saw several Tarpon jumping completely out of the water chasing baitfish along the shoreline. We had no idea they were in the bay and had no idea on how to fish for them. We moved over along the shoreline with our light tackle spinning rods rigged with live spot and never saw them again. Awesome site watching these huge fish jump 2-3 ft in air and baitfish going nuts.

Been fishin the shore since 1982 for Virginias Silver Kings, People I have taken have caught 17, jumped off or lost 49. I started by going with one of the best, Jack Brady. There are tarpon guides over there. Brady still does it, Buddy Vaugh and Charles Stant. The reason we are hearing more about tarpon is more and more people are fishing for them, and aren't as tight lipped as the older guys. And as our weather patterns change we are seeing more fish. Yes there are hard to catch, but if you put in your time, learn there patterns and where and when to fish with a little luck , you will catch one. the time spent is worth the reward!!!!

Nicely said Capt. How about a quick posit so I can start putting some time in for them. I want to catch one and like hunting for big bucks, I don't mind putting in the time. Just need an idea were to start.

Oyster

Out of Oyster, Spidercrab Marsh, Gull Marsh, Man and Boy Marsh, The Ramshorn, Red Drum Drain, Black Rock Drain, Eckitty Channel. behind Cobb and Wreck Is. Magothy Bay.

Thank you Sir.....

My first trip for Tarpon was in 1976 with my Grandfather and Jack Brady. We landed one that day... and it's been a 30 year dry spell since! I just started fishing for them again this year and had 2 hook-ups with NO LANDED fish. That's okay. Heck, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Pete - What kind of hooks do you like?

SUGGESTION: Bring plenty of bug spray.

My first trip for the virginia tarpon was in 1999 with captain bruce foster and we only saw one that day. My second trip for tarpon was in 2004 with captain jack brady and we saw a bunch that day but no takers. Since then I bought a boat capable of fishing those treacherous waters and last year we landed our first fish that was 55lbs and 55" long. This year we jumped about a 75lber off and landed a 70lber that was 64" long. It is like hunting big bucks and it is definitely not for everyone. You have to be extremely dedicated and have lots of patience and can accept defeat. You will only succeed tarpon fishing on eastern shore two ways and that is dumb luck or just putting your time in. You will not get any information from anyone that fishes for them especially local eastern shore fisherman and if you ask them anything they can get extremely rude. Just my two cents on the virginia tarpon.

What type of lure would one cast to a Tarpon if you happen to run into one or even a school like mentioned in the original post?
GIL

If your flounder fishing chances are you will have live bait, cut bait, or try topwater plugs. Shiney spoons (try to avoid colors)

Always carry a cast net with you. Match the hatch. Chances are if you see them they will be feeding on whatever is local.

I have not fished for them much but alot of info was just recently shed on me by a tight lipped old ES tarpon fisherman. Sorry .....I could'nt resist.

A large green back mirrow lure, fly colors are dark , black and red, brown and orange, all black, waters is pretty dirty so you use dark colors.

cut spot on bottom--throw a couple ballon rigged live spot out there and keep a zara spook on a stiff caster.-----BAM!

This is my first post But would like all to know that there are tarpon in Oyster!! as well as some very large Bullfish which are more abundant. And have had some luck In the shallows. Cut bait will get you more of the bullfish so try to liveline livebait to stay away from the bulls. Me and my fishin buddy usually go late july early august when the water temp is upto its highest.

Anyone ever fished with Rick kellam on the shore?