After church and lunch the skies were looking sketchy about 2pm

We talked and thought - worst case we will stop for a seafood dinner.
Emmett and Joel Silver are working on a fishing show called "My Very Own Fishing Show"
We would never have guessed, but by the end of the day we were wishing we had the camera crew with us!
As we arrived at the Panacea marina the bottom fell out. All rain and no thunder. Thirty minutes later it looked clear enough to try.
The shark hole is a quick run out and it didn't take long for Emma to catch her first

We were a little short on bait so I rigged up a Diawa D-Shock spooled with OLD 15lb test mono, one that I won at the social two years ago, with a jig head and some bluefish guts from yesterday.
Handed it off to Everett so he could catch something while we waited on another shark.
Seconds after it hit the bottom his rod bended double and he shouted, Fish On!
My first thought was a shark or big sailcat but the bend was strong and the fish kept pealing line off.
It surfaced and flashed red... a lot of red.
Everett fought the fish for at least 30 minuets. His dad Emmett and I coached him the entire time and he followed direction well.
He kept the pressure on, tip up and did not reel when the fish was pulling line off the reel.
I passes the rod under the anchor line at last five times... afraid she would wrap around it and break off.
He got the fish close to the boat and I realised my landing net was W-A-Y too small

Several more sounds and runs and the red was finally tiring.
I reached over the side to hand land the beast missing the first grab.
The fish turned and I leaned way out getting one hand on the tail just as the line broke

I pull the fish toward me and got a second hand on the tail with a better grip.
Turned her and got a hand under the belly and brought the fish in the boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The boat was filled with whoops and hollers as we all celebrated an amazing catch.



Examining the rig after the line was shredded and I really have no idea how it lasted that long!
The red was 42.5 inches long and a hefty 25.5 inches around absolute bull and was released unharmed.
Our hands still shaking the back rod jumps and a shark starts buzzing. Emma caught another one, this time a Black tip!
As Emmett is putting it in the fish box the unthinkable happens...
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... the cork rig starts singing and Holy Camoly TARPON ON!
As we look back a Tarpon breaks the surface jetting 3 feet out of the water- here is the look of shock on my face!

The fish pulled line like mad and I was worried I was going to be spooled.
Emmett jumped behind the helm and made chase while I gained line- he has caught many down in South Florida.
The fish jumped at least 10 times with Emmett exhorting me to bow to the tarpon.


We made great progress with the Tarpon showing itself near the boat with maybe 20 feet of line between us and the great fish the line broke

Still an amazing fish and a beautiful air show! Emmett estimated it to be about 125lbs

Knowing that it would be hard to top that action and with two sharks in the box we headed back to the ramp.

A little later we are chomping on the chompers



We relived the day during the meal, showing photos of the Red to anyone who slowed long enough to snag them by the table.
Unreal day on the water that will be hard to top!