Selectivity
The concept of selectivity is an easy one to understand–there’s a really, really high concentration of one type of food organism, and the fish feed on that organism and shun all others. This allows the fish to target a known food item and thereby maximize food intake and minimize energy expenditure. Well, we normally think of selectivity as a trout thing, and it’s certainly true that they can become highly picky about the grub the eat.
But other species can, too. Tarpon are one of those species, especially when the Palola worm is swimming from the flats out to the edge of the ocean to mate. They flow out on the tide at full moon near the end of May, by the billions. I’ve seen tarpon, literally by the thousands, rolling and eating worms like a giant school of ravenous trout sucking down mayflies. It’s quite a sight to behold.
Well, it’s the end of May and the moon is full, and on the outgoing tide, the tarpon are there waiting. Capt. jake Jordan just sent these photos of the worm and imitation, a school of happy, worm-eaters, and one on the line. If you can get there, now is the moment.
The Palola Worm and its imitation--about 3 inches long.
A big school of happy, worm-eating tarpon.
"What is it with this worm?"