As in, mark this off the bucket list. I’ve spent a lot of time fishing here in Florida but never targeted these. They’re around but I never really got to it. Last weekend I was surrounded by them rising and rolling alongside my boat in some deeper water. I got my gear together this week and set out before sunrise to copy last weeks timing. And as usual, it didn’t matter cuz they weren’t where I left em. So I began the grind of trying to find them or some of the other fish I like to target over here in the salt. I got popped twice on topwater but nothing got buttoned up. I switched back to jigs of different styles and colors and still didn’t find much but a bump now and then. An hour or so later I did get hit and turn what I think was a nice seatrout but his flash was all I got to see of him. So I kept on and about 9:30 I saw some rolling here and there but they were either too far off or uninterested. I looked south and here came a small pod of them, kind of rolling now and then as they came my way. Finally in reach I fired off a cast at them and landed just behind them. Perfect. Turned the reel a few times and got a large smack and I set the hook. Just like the trout, the smack and the flash was all I got. Disappointed I fussed some and retrieved the jig, checked it and looked far them again. Lucky, they hadn’t gone far. I fired off another cast, turned the reel 3 times and got the reward I was looking for. I set the hook and the jig found purchase that stopped the rod, and he hit the air thrashing back and forth. Took a minute or two to get the go pro turned on , I had forgotten to do that, and get a few jumps out of him and get him within reach of the net.
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My first Tarpon and they’re everything you think they are, lots of fun. The jig slid out almost without effort. If I’d given any slack he’d have been gone. A quick measure and back he went to play another day. I sat there and enjoyed the moment and thought that I’d better get to lookin for the next one. They were still around but most weren’t interested. I saw one roll at the outside of my reach but maybe with the wind to help I could get there. Landed close enough and I began the retrieve but he didn’t seem to want it. Finishing the wind back to the boat I began looking for another one to cast to. About four feet from the boat he had followed it up and he smashed it and tried to steal my rod. Drag screaming, off he went. Jumping a bunch of times and running off at will, I couldn’t get him close to the boat. I began to reach for the net, he went up in the air for another jump and came unbuttoned. This fight had gone on for almost two minutes. I’d gotten the best of him and would’ve released him anyway so all for the good. Now I was officially a happy boy. Prayers for these fish answered I went looking for what was next. I found this Seatrout a while later and he was just about 16”.
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The population of most of the fish in this area are just coming back after some fish kills and brown and red tides and other negative things that I don’t keep any of any variety, so he got a pass too. Shortly after that I’d had enough and needed to go so I headed in. Not a lot of fish but a very good day for me. Hope y’all get out and find the ones you’re after like I did today. Til next time….Skeet
