Tuesday was a late afternoon trip targeting the big redfish I have been on the last 4 days. What's the old saying that's why is called fishing and not catching. Beautiful late afternoon, not a boat in sight and two great guys Dave and Dan onboard. Its doesn't get any better that that. The area was dead not as much as a hint of a redfish or anything else. We made a small move only to find the results the same. About this time Captain Steven feels like a big zero not getting on the redfish I have spoken so much about. With a slack low tide I made the decision to abandoning my game plan. We ran over to the Skyway Bridge to get some bait different bait as we only had grunts, in short order we had threadies and white baits. We were now off to an area I have been targeting for some time now.
I short order Dan had a trout to the boat plus a visitor following, yes the man in the gray suit. Several casts later Dan had a fish dancing on the surface and pulling drag, moments later he had the Black tip shark next to the boat. Now it was time for a quick photo and safe release. This became almost comical as Dan grabbed the shark 4 times only to lose it each time, it did not take much of this to finally break the leader.
The action was constant with a real mix of mackerel, bluefish, trout, sharks, and lady fish and oh yes the legendary 3 spine snook. Simple technique today, live threadfin and scaled sardines fly lined on a 1/0 hook with a 30 pound fluorocarbon leader.
Then the fun began about 30 minutes before sunset. A beautiful Tarpon inhaled a big threadfin and we were off to the races. The Silver King made several spectacular jumps early leaping totally out of the water. It then ran off 100 yards of line in a matter of seconds. Back and forth we went gain 50 yards lose 50 yards. The Tarpon made several more jumps within 20 feet of the boat. Simply amazing to watch! Four times we had this 6' beauty to the boat and each time the Tarpon manage to muster the energy for another run away from the boat.
Great evening with 2 super guys. Dave, Dan it's indeed a pleasure having you both onboard.
Capt. Steven
