Tarpon fly fishing is always a blast. Last year Doug hooked and fought a 100 pound plus tarpon and I jumped one that was north of 60 pounds. Well we finally had the right conditions to head to the tarpon flats. When we arrived, the water was clear and the wind quite reasonable. No question we will be able to sight fish today.
Minutes after putting on a purple and black tarpon rabbit strip, a 5 footer appeared right in front of the boat. The low light made it hard to see early in the morning. I put a cast close to the tarpon and it turn and attacked my fly! I hooked the 60 plus pounder and just like that, my reel was singing as the 50 pound backing was ripping off out at an alarming rate of speed. The tarpon rocketed out of the water several times. Hilian started the boat to follow and that helped me gather line. We were able to get the tarpon right to the boat, then it took off on a 100 plus yard run! The fourth jump and out popped my fly from the tarpon's mouth. Darn! What a frantic 15 minutes right at the start to the day!
Doug then took the 12 weight rod and started to ready himself! The tarpon were definitely moving about and Doug got several excellent shots at tarpon. They followed and didn't commit!
Well late in the morning, I was back on the casting deck. Hilian and Shawn saw some tarpon moving in. I was able to cast with one of Doug's white tarpon toads. I got a grab but it did not stay. Shortly after, I hooked a 30 pounder and managed to bring it alongside the boat. We took a few pictures and sent it on its way.
Just as Doug replaced me on the casting podium, the wind shifted and the tarpon flats lost that critical visibility. Darn, we did see some tarpon but not easily.
We soon headed to a local bonefish flat and had a great time chasing the ghost of the flats.
You know we came back the next day but sadly, the wind and conflicting tide had churned up the flat, so we went looking for permit instead.
60 plus pounds of jumping tarpon-a Five Footer
Hilian and Shawn
Eagle Rays were skooting by the boat a lot while we were looking for tarpon!
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