Quick Tarpon Trip

[basshead]

Had the opportunity to fly fish Apalachicola Bay area this weekend. Have a friend down there that loves to fly fish for tarpon. Only had one good morning of weather. We saw a handful of fish and had a legitimate shot at 2, maybe 3 fish. I was lucky enough to get one to bite.

The mental image of that monster opening her mouth and sucking down that fly will be burned in my mind forever. As soon as she was hooked she peeled off 150-200 yards and jumped 4-5 times. My buddy is a big time conservationist and will not land the fish to help protect the fishery, but will fight them a bit then pop the fly. Thats what we did and I was fine with that. The fish was in the 140lb range and by far the biggest fish I've ever caught.

We were able to fish maybe 4 hours because of weather and it was totally worth it. A little over 20 hours of driving for an experience of a lifetime is a steal for me!

Tom

[Catawba]

I've only ever seen video of that kind of Tarpon action. Congrats on the actual experience.

[Dirk]

Very cool. Congrats and I bet that got your heart pounding big time.

[turkey]

wow...bet that's better than a river striper bite...huh, dirk?

[Double Haul]

Thats awesome. I have always wanted to do that.

[Bruiser]

Nice!

[boykinsbuddy]

That's a dream fish. I hired a guide a few years back to take my son and I out for them down in Hilton Head. We went for some big reds in the morning and were going for the tarpon in the afternoon. Son ended up turning more than a little green from the heavy seas so we cut the day short. Never did fish for them. I'm now planning a trip this fall with my son and pop for some in the 50 -75 pound class.
Your 140 pounder is definitely a lifetime fish!

[Wizard Owl]

I saw one jumping on its own (I assume busting bait) in the Charleston Harbor last weekend.

I understand not bringing the fish into the boat, but dern if I'm gonna waste a fly without getting that fish beside me and getting a picture or two. I want to say I've caught a tarpon, not hooked one..

[boykinsbuddy]

AMEN!!!