Tarpon

Well poor man’s Tarpon, but I’ll get to that. I’ve been hearing of some crappie coming from Lake Monroe and have no fish in the frozer plus I haven’t trolled in months. Slept in some and started fishing about 7:30 and I didn’t have to wait long for things to begin. Now the lions share were the shorts and it took til fish #3 for one to have some size and this one was fine at 13 1/2”. He went in the box. Along the way to where I wanted to end up I’d run thru some of the areas that have produced in the past. Long dry periods and then a flurry seemed to be the deal. One more about 13 went into the box and that’s all I wanted to keep. After about 9:30 someone threw a switch and they were done and only a few really shorts came to visit. Now it was 10:30 and hot with no fish, time for the house. Promptly followed by a sammich and a nap. A good day for me with 31 crappie and one bluegill. Maybe 8 were good keepers.
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This morning I had coffee with my queen and then went about the same time as yesterday. I just couldn’t go troll again. I pulled the trolling rig and put in some small poles and off I went. The meat fishers are about lately so I didn’t have high hopes. First spot was a bust and I eased into another pocket and hit the spot lock. Not much here either but a few smalls. Threw into some current with the Phenix and Soare and got a serious hit and some drag music and something hit the air. He ran again and then hit the air again and I got a good look this time. A lady fish had made its way down this far from the saltwater and liked my jig. Guys, they are exciting. Finally got him to slow down enough to get the net under him and took a pic before getting my jig back. He’d broken the line where he’d weakened it before going in the net. Finished the next hour with 5 good gills and a bunch of shorts and headed for the house. The jet skis were showing up now. Here’s buddy in a controlled state, which is rare for them. Hope y’all have a good week….skeet
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A hooked lady fish will go wild on you in a second !
Back when I got to fish for speckled trout a few times a year , we’d hang into a lady fish every once in awhile .
Most of the time we didn’t get them to the boat , but they were a hoot while they were on !

Awesome job Skeet. Some really good trips and good times.

Fun catches

I lied in that post, just showing my age I guess. The Phenix has the Presso on it. And that lady fish was sure giving the drag a workout.

They have a large tail built for speed, certainly a handful on ultralight tackle. Here in Missouri we have Skipjack Herring that I call the poor man's tarpon. Very fast fish that usually jumps a few times and looks like a miniature tarpon. Good catfish bait but I don't keep them.

Awesome post! Made me feel as if I was reeling in that ladyfish. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

I enjoyed the read, thanks for posting !

Got into ladyfish one time at the pier and had one on every cast for awhile. 1 out of 3 stayed buttoned up. Great show they put on. Great report.

It shapes like a Tarpon, looks like a Tarpon, it must have fought like a tarpon...lol. Good catch, Skeet!

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