First of the year. Hooked two first time out a month ago, and thought it would be easy this year. Have been six times since and not a bite. Had no one to go with me and almost blew it off thanks to a little too much wine last night. First and only cast was full of menhaden. Set up and only two rods since I was alone and had plenty to chum. Two hours only a couple of sharks. Decided to move at 2:30 and at 2:29 the biggest tarpon I have ever hooked was on. Left rod in holder, tossed anchor line, reeled in other rod and turned into the waves breaking over the sandbar. It was the usual cluster#%^. Slack line, trying to drive and reel. This one was so big really couldn’t jump well and didn’t take as long as usual to get boatside. Unfortunately chaffed through the leader as I was pulling it in and never got hold of the fish or any pics. Went back to my anchor, put lines out and immediately had one roll behind the cork. Let out some line and he hit on the dropbsck. One jump and bye bye. Reset and had another on in five minutes. Same drill but this time a smaller fish and was able to grab him and get a few photos before release. Lots of big jumps from this one, some right next to the boat. Back to the anchor but dinner was over. First time this year I didn’t bring the go pro which sickens me. Really nothing like seeing a fish that big jump out of water that shallow.
More impressive than that impressive fish is your ability to take that selfie. Targeting tarpon tomorrow myself. A catch like that one would make the season.
What’s the bait of choice for tarpon? I know nothing bout this specie other than challenging once hooked.
“Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education”
18’ CC SeaFox
I am certainly not the authority on the subject but have had success with live, large menhaden which are plentiful during tarpon season. I typically fish in St Helena Sound and can usually find them somewhere between the Ashepoo and the ocean along the channel. Also plentiful along the beach between the north and south edisto anywhere from right off the surf to a few miles out. I would assume the same is true of the beaches around charleston.
