BigBendFishing.Net

big bend gyrene wrote:dbplug, struggled between two signature quotes, the Roosevelt one and the one below (for all the squids out there, including Eddie Joe!)

"A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons!" - Admiral David D. Porter, USN

Nice story, again.

I appreciate both quotes, and both have merit. We always liked to say, "Somebody has to take the beach, thats why we carry some jarheads along!"

My usual fishing buddy, who is also an ex-jarhead, appreciates my fondness for his military history, as he appreciates mine! But at least we both have some, unlike many of today's tough guys, who only like to see someone else take chances for them.

Take care,

EJ

BBG,
I had to follow your lead. This is my first night on this site. I was there w/ BBG to see the Hammerhead. It was amazing! It looked right at me. I can still picture it.

I have been catching bull and black tip sharks anywhere from Destin to Islamorada for about 5 years now (most of them 5-7 feet long) while wading, in kayaks, small boats and big boats and this hammerhead was longer than anyone of them. 5 years ago, my coworker started calling me "Sharkman" after I fought a 6-7' bull shark to my kayak while trying to target tarpon on a road trip. That was probably the scariest shark story I have but it was fun in the kayak. It took an hour to wear him out.

Is anyone consistently catching tarpon around here? I have to go on road trips down south to target tarpon (Keys, Boca Grande/ Captiva, and Tampa). I have seen them a few times but never in the same places twice.

By the way, I just wanted to say this web site is excellent. Keep up the good work![/img]

Welcome aboard, Sharkman.

The tarpon are spotty around here, and not many people target them. There are a few others that frequent our little forum that know much more about tarpon than I. Hopefully they'll chime in.

Most of the Tarpon hooked in the Econfina , Aucilla area are hooked while fishing for something else. Few & far between, but possible for sure !

Thanks for the info!
I haven't seen a tarpon once around Econfina or Aucilla.
I have seen them around St. Marks and West of St. Marks (my usual stomping grounds) a few times but not often. Once my wife and I found a school of hundreds daisy-chaining and we followed them in 8-10 feet of water from Grey Mare to Patty's Island for hours and they wouldn't hit (a large chug bug, a large storm swimming jig, a bucktail jig, zara spook, a Bomber Long A, large DOA shrimp, large curly tail jig, and I forgot what else I tried) I retied at least 10 times and put it on their nose while my wife kept putting me in perfect casting position. I would have killed for a live pinfish at the time. That's my 1 good Big Bend Tarpon story and I didn't even jump 1 of them. Eventually they spooked. It was the most frustrating day on the water but the adrenaline was pumping the whole time. I doubt I will get another chance like that.

Welcome to both of you. BBG, that Panga looks like a nice boat. Tell us how it works out for you.

I've seen hammerheads in the 5', and 6' range from Ecofina, to the east of St. Marks. Even saw a 3'er dang near face to face while scalloping.
I aint never seen no 10'er inshore though .
However he would be fun to hook on light tackle, like your previous post!!

Welcome aboard big bend gyrene

BBG, for Tarpon, there is only two places ya need ta know, Turkey Point and Mud Cove I don't fish for em, but the ones I know who do, swear by them two places and WELCOME ABOARD

Animal Planet channel (comcast) will have a special on
Hammerheads

Sunday August 13 at 7pm....

Ummm I think you have the wrong calendar MJ. TODAY is the 13th and it is not Sunday.

MamaK