Friday the 13th
Posted: July 13th, 2007, 2:11 pm
Turned out to be a killer morning on the water. Hit the ramp about 6:30 and started catching Reds right away. Caught several but all were under slot. Then moved around a bit and caught some huge blues. Moved a bit more... bam, two back to back Flounders with the biggest going 16". It was getting later and hot and I knew I had to be off the around 11to make it back into town. So I decide to go out to the 6' to 8' mark next to this flat and play with the ladyfish for a few minutes just for fun. Then bam... caught two big trout one at 24 and one at 26, several Ladyfish joined in on the fun too. Well... come to find out my drift took me right into the middle of a large school of feeding Tarpon. Had to be thirty or so. They didn't care that I was passing through. Then you guessed it BAM....
Pack of 5 inch gulp jerk shads... 5.95
1/4 ounce jig head... 75 cents.
50 minute battle with a 110 pound Tarpon... PRICELESS
This was on 6'.6" trout rod with 8lbs test and 20 lbs leader. He nailed a five inch gulp jerk shad on a 1/4 jig head. We were fishing for trout not tarpon.
I cranked the boat up and chased it down so not to get spooled. Fought him for 50 minutes. Had him within 15 feet of the boat rolling, gasping for air. I thought for sure he was mine. Then you guessed it... Bink.. the line gave out and broke (just above the leader). It was only 8lbs test. So, the next sound was the sound of two grown men hearts breaking at the same time, just like a little school girl. We sat in silence for about 20 seconds and then we were like YEAH that was KILLER.
The tarpon jumped twice at the beginning and rolled about ten times during the course of the fight. Even while we were fighting the one fish several tarpon were rolling in the background. It was just great. I'd tell you where I was but I'm sure you understand... Those fish have been around for a few days now and I REALLY want to catch one and have for about 20 years. Maybe this is my year, but I've thought that in the past and still the Silver King evades me. This is the closest I've come in about two years and I'm going back. It was a heart breaker to have that fish get off, but at the same time it was one of the best days this season.
Pack of 5 inch gulp jerk shads... 5.95
1/4 ounce jig head... 75 cents.
50 minute battle with a 110 pound Tarpon... PRICELESS
This was on 6'.6" trout rod with 8lbs test and 20 lbs leader. He nailed a five inch gulp jerk shad on a 1/4 jig head. We were fishing for trout not tarpon.
I cranked the boat up and chased it down so not to get spooled. Fought him for 50 minutes. Had him within 15 feet of the boat rolling, gasping for air. I thought for sure he was mine. Then you guessed it... Bink.. the line gave out and broke (just above the leader). It was only 8lbs test. So, the next sound was the sound of two grown men hearts breaking at the same time, just like a little school girl. We sat in silence for about 20 seconds and then we were like YEAH that was KILLER.
The tarpon jumped twice at the beginning and rolled about ten times during the course of the fight. Even while we were fighting the one fish several tarpon were rolling in the background. It was just great. I'd tell you where I was but I'm sure you understand... Those fish have been around for a few days now and I REALLY want to catch one and have for about 20 years. Maybe this is my year, but I've thought that in the past and still the Silver King evades me. This is the closest I've come in about two years and I'm going back. It was a heart breaker to have that fish get off, but at the same time it was one of the best days this season.
