Fish On

Is there anything better than a bite or nibble on the end of the line? I don't care if it’s a bluegill or a tarpon that "tug" blows my hair back. I was in Florida for the Memorial Day weekend to celebrate my recent engagement with family. We hadn’t seen family since I popped the question. We also had the chance to chase one of Florida’s coveted big game fish. The day after we got into Florida, I landed a 125 lbs 70 inch tarpon. Fun!!! She gave me a 45 minute fight with a few jumps. I was spent. This is 45 minutes on heavy tackle – 80lbs test and one of those old, massive Penn saltwater reels! I couldn’t imagine using anything lighter and you wouldn’t accordingly to the Captain who took the lady and I out that afternoon. Having a sturdier outfit, as he called it, allowed you to fight the fish, get out of the gaum that can be tarpon fishing for that part of Florida at that time of the year and not exhaust the fish so he can recover to fight another day. A father son combo, the Captain and Scooter were part of the old Florida contingent - inboard engine, heavy tackle, 4 AM fishing, squirrel fish for bait, relying on depth charts, not following the crowds and very serious. Everything you would want in a guide actually. It was interesting to hear about the good ol’days when “you could walk across the bay on the backs of the tarpon” and “these tournaments, no respect for the fishery, light tackle and two stroke outboards are ruining it for everybody. I hope my grandson will be able to catch a tarpon one day.” I do too! All in all, any fishing is fun especially tarpon and I’m fired up I can say I’ve caught a tarpon; however, I don’t want to deal with all the crowds especially the douche bags with the matching outfits, tricked out boats and enough rods and gear for a Calvary. Based on what I saw, I could see a "Best in Show" type of movie about tournament tarpon fishing. Even the lady said it was a bit of shit show at times and took away from the Zen of fishing. I couldn’t have said it better myself.