Man is Ruined...Tarpon!
Posted: June 21st, 2008, 8:46 am
Teamed up with fly addict Noleflyfisher for a day, or two, of tarpon fishing....we got to our first area, found a likely spot and set up. We figured if it sucks, lets go redfishing....Nole was getting used to my 11wt, rolling out some casts when I say, "Poons"...he is in the game now!
It took some time to figure out how to lead them, then we were counting follows, but after 4 or 5 without an eat...man!
After a while, we figured out how to entice an eat, then started getting eats, lots of eats, but blowing the hook up...damn it! It happens so fast...discussed and came up with game plan B or F, can't remember:
This string were in the zone for 50' or more
Nole says, "I'm hooking the next fish damn it...you watch"...The man don't lie...A string at 2 oclock and Nole puts his fly in the right spot. EAT, and FISH ON! Nole pinches the line and applies hook set and POP goes the leader, like a cap pistol.....sheeet...there goes my tip
That spot now has a unique name. Day is about done, but it was a damned good one. On the ride in we both decide it is worth risking our livelihoods to return in the am. I re-rig the 11wt, new set of knots, Nole ties some more toads.
Day 2, We were both feeling pretty good about our chances today. We're not set up 5 minutes and a nice string comes perfect at 11. Noles first cast is on the money...plays the toad, the 3rd massive fish rolls and eats like a bulldog. FISH ON!
The fight - a roller that bears down:
Getting close:
A ruined man:
A nice poon and a tired fisherman!
We got it licked now! Let's pull out a 9wt and see what we can do (the 11wt is history-broke at the boat). No biggie, jumping them is the name.
My turn. A nice group of 6 or so at 12:00, lay out and play the 2nd and 3rd fish, the 3rd one gives a massive eat....fish on! Were freakin two for two!! This poon gave 3 gill-flaring aerials and a nice fight before eating through the 60lb flouro! Were offically pumped. Of course reality returned and we started getting spooky fish and follows. Later however they started getting frisky...I got a nice string at 3 oclock and the 3rd fish exploded on the fly... the 20lb flo gave way pretty quick but it was a nice to get another hook up.
What a couple of fabulous days man! We ended up with a many many eats, 4 hooked fish and 1 landed. Can't wait till next time
BTW, Nole ties a mean toad 
Thanks dude.
It took some time to figure out how to lead them, then we were counting follows, but after 4 or 5 without an eat...man!
After a while, we figured out how to entice an eat, then started getting eats, lots of eats, but blowing the hook up...damn it! It happens so fast...discussed and came up with game plan B or F, can't remember:
This string were in the zone for 50' or more
Nole says, "I'm hooking the next fish damn it...you watch"...The man don't lie...A string at 2 oclock and Nole puts his fly in the right spot. EAT, and FISH ON! Nole pinches the line and applies hook set and POP goes the leader, like a cap pistol.....sheeet...there goes my tip
That spot now has a unique name. Day is about done, but it was a damned good one. On the ride in we both decide it is worth risking our livelihoods to return in the am. I re-rig the 11wt, new set of knots, Nole ties some more toads.Day 2, We were both feeling pretty good about our chances today. We're not set up 5 minutes and a nice string comes perfect at 11. Noles first cast is on the money...plays the toad, the 3rd massive fish rolls and eats like a bulldog. FISH ON!
The fight - a roller that bears down:
Getting close:
A ruined man:
A nice poon and a tired fisherman!
We got it licked now! Let's pull out a 9wt and see what we can do (the 11wt is history-broke at the boat). No biggie, jumping them is the name.
My turn. A nice group of 6 or so at 12:00, lay out and play the 2nd and 3rd fish, the 3rd one gives a massive eat....fish on! Were freakin two for two!! This poon gave 3 gill-flaring aerials and a nice fight before eating through the 60lb flouro! Were offically pumped. Of course reality returned and we started getting spooky fish and follows. Later however they started getting frisky...I got a nice string at 3 oclock and the 3rd fish exploded on the fly... the 20lb flo gave way pretty quick but it was a nice to get another hook up.
What a couple of fabulous days man! We ended up with a many many eats, 4 hooked fish and 1 landed. Can't wait till next time
BTW, Nole ties a mean toad Thanks dude.
