Episode 81: Capt. Frank Davis - Boca Grande Pass

Mill House Podcast

Few have seen the evolution of tarpon fishing in the famous Boca Grande Pass as Frank Davis. In the early 1960’s, his family moved there and as far back as he can remember his Dad used to take him tarpon fishing. Pass fishing for tarpon began in the late 1880’s and by 1910 Boca Grande was booming. Over the next hundred and thirteen years Presidents, athletes, and movie stars were there to capture this prized fish and a photograph of a dead tarpon hanging next to them.

In his teenage years, Frank worked on a harbor pilot boat, eventually becoming a mate on a 60 foot Hatteras. At age twenty five, he captained a boat that won his first marlin tournament - cashing in a hundred thousand dollars. But his heart was alway with the fish that swam in the pass where he caught his first silver king. Thirty six years ago he started guiding his home waters and has witnessed first hand the abuse by fishermen there by poor etiquette, pressure, snagging, tournaments, and greed. He championed the ban of jig fishing and the deadly Professional Tarpon Tournament Series.

Frank Davis is now regarded as the voice of reason for fishing the fabled waters of Boca Grande.