Think you have to go all the way to Florida to catch tarpon? Think again. They’re here!

I dare to say that between the God-awful heat, no rain to speak of and the ocean water temperature nearing 90º, I have been hiding in my man cave with the AC dialed down to the point that penguins might find it acceptable.

Always an early riser - and I mean crazy early between 4-5 a.m. - if fishing is on my daily agenda it usually starts just about the time I can make out my hand with my arm fully extended.

But by 10 or 11 a.m., me, my ever-present companion beagle Butterbean along with any penguins I may have bumped into along the way are stretched out in the man cave never once stepping outside until once again, with my arm extended, my hand disappears.

Quite the time clock huh?

As much as I try and break this pattern, once my eyes open, I am very much like an old Jack in the Box toy. I can’t confirm that the early bird always catches the worm, but overall those first couple of hours of sunlight are the cat’s meow.

Wait, that’s not quite accurate because before the coffee has finished brewing my three cats are meowing their heads off almost mouthing the words “Feed me Seymour.” Since I am the alpha of the gang, I pitch them all out the door with a gruff “Gee whiz guys, at least let me get a cup of coffee in me first!” Day after day, it always starts this way but after the door slams behind them, I revel at the silence that is only broken intermediately by the rooster that lives across the street. Actually, it’s a great way to start a day.

In my mind, the only upside to all this heat is it heralds the arrival of one of the most beautiful and exciting fish that swims. Tarpon!

You’re probably thinking: “Tarpon? Here? Oh, come on, those are South Florida fish!”

All I can say is from around now on through September, there are as many tarpon here as you’ll find down south. Actually, even though I have fished all over southern Florida, including the Keys, I never caught a tarpon there.

But right here, I have landed hundreds of tarpon, with many exceeding 150 lbs. and though I never killed one, a couple I know were over 200 lbs. I have had days when there were so many of these silver giants rolling on the surface that I literally couldn’t see where the school ended. Even on the horizon, brief silver flashes dotted the entire expanse of 180º.

I inadvertently caught a handful growing up while surf fishing but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that it was discovered that huge migrations of these giants were here. Giving credit to Capt. Fuzzy Davis - something I hate to do unless absolutely necessary since we are good friends and jokingly have a friendly “who is a better fisherman” relationship - he got the ball rolling with tarpon.

After that only a handful of us fished for, and caught “Silva Dollas” a nickname for tarpon since their scales are not only as big as a silver dollar but are equally as silver in color. Some years are better than others, but all it takes is to hook one and as goofy as it may sound, you’ll be hooked.

Though I don’t fish for them as much as I used to, there are a couple of aspects of these prehistoric fish that make them tops as sport fish. They jump, they do somersaults, they are incredibly powerful and no two fight the same.

Once hooked, some spend more time in the air than in the water while others sulk in the depths pulling so hard that if you didn’t have back issues before the hook-up, you’ll have them when you get home.

Sharp hooks are a must because a tarpon’s mouth is solid bone. They also gulp air as you fight them and from experience, each gulp of air adds ten more minutes to fight.

Rigging for them isn’t rocket science.

Two rods on top and two on the bottom. Using menhaden (both alive and dead) on the bottom and a fish finder rig with a pyramid weight, around a 4’ leader (60 lb. test) and 10/0 or 11/0 circle hooks.

On top, I use a Cajun Thunder cork, about the same length leader and as for the best hook, a 4/0 to 7/0 razor sharp J hook or circle hook.

I am big on covering the water column so rod number four usually as an egg sinker above the leader so the bait is about halfway down.

Chumming helps but be stingy doing it. I prefer chunking menhaden tossing a handful out every few minutes. Word has it they’re here so tomorrow I am going to give it a go.

One last pointer, find the bait and they are sure to be around.

My best month ever landed 48 while hooking at least twice that many.

I’ll let you know how it goes and hopefully I haven’t lost the touch.