first and only time i went tarpon fishing
was a private charter off of Useppa Island in Boca Grande Pass.
it was CRAZY as that was during the spawn and in a 1/8 sq mile area there was every watercraft known to man and so many tarpon that in some places you could see their backs breaking the surface, in 35' of water. YES, the entire water column was full of these amazing Silver Kings. and i only believed it because i saw it on the Lowrance AND on the surface.
dawn tide,,,,,,,,,heavy convench gear,,,,,,,,fighting chairs,,,,,,,,,color coded line to attack the zones of fish,,,,,,,,,,and the boat sets the hook!!
"GREEN on the tip!", "RED 20' down!" "GREEN up 10'!" !!!WHAAM!!!
my brother and i had a double header, his tarpon sounded for all it was worth and mine went out about 40 yds and did a tail walk away from us with 3 lines across her. my captain starts yelling to the john boat, the flats boat, and the 32' fully loaded Cris Craft to, "cut yer lines, reel 'em in, get outta the way, 2 FISH AWWN!"
so he's chasing both fish, my brother's continues to sound and hunkers down for five or six mins, after mine takes a second BREACH followed by running for Venezuela. within 10 more minutes my brother's fish is gone, and i am still on. they put me in the chair and we chase her some more. the next thirty minutes was full of gaining and losing then gaining more and more line. and after a third not so strong run it was time to subdue this trophy.
by the end of the battle, i had brought to the boat(with the excellent help of the Capt and crew)
a 74" x 110# Tarpon that was AMAZING to behold. i chose to release her that morn
and her flight and walk and battle remain fresh and vivid with me still to this day ~~some 26 yrs later.
