Went to dinner Friday night with a couple from the island. Had only met the guy briefly before but he seemed pretty cool and liked to inshore fish so I asked him if he wanted to try tarpon fishing in the morning. He had never been before but was in. Didn’t have a lot of time as I needed to be back around noon. I have not seen any menhaden in the usual spots for weeks so I thought I would need to get mullet which is normally easy unless I actually need them. Wasted a couple of hours on that and had only three. Almost threw in the towel but didn’t. As soon as I rounded the corner into St. Helena Pelicans were everywhere and s couple of throws and we were loaded with menhaden. Usual setup, two floats drifted over the sandbar on the flood. As soon as the water got deep enough the baitfish showed up. Saw a lady fish jump behind the bait, dropped back to that spot, and less than a minute later the rod bends and a nice tarpon breaks the water. Got my friend the rod, threw the achor, cleared lines and it was game on. Punishing fish. A couple of jumps but mostly just swimming deep. Like fighting a tuna. Had him close for s long time but could never get the leader. Fought for 50 minutes, most of which was just pulling up and winding down. My friend was dead but kept at it. Grabbed the leader but pulled the hook before I could get his mouth and measure him. Guessing 110ish. First time tarpon fishing, first tarpon. Pretty cool. Back to the dock by 12:30.
These are all still shots taken from GoPro video. I look like an idiot when the camera on my head but can usually get some nice pictures and video if we are lucky enough to catch a nice fish.
Been seriously thinking about a gopro recently. Don’t now if the wife would be upset, if I got one for fishing. Maybe, if I tell her it’s for her, maybe, she’ll let be borrow it.
Ya know, it must be nice living in Neverneverland. Remind me to come visit you, when I need a break from reality.
Yeah have been really lucky lately but a lot of time and effort and failure preceded it. Had 6 straight 5 or 6 hour trips without a bite, moving multiple times each trip. Finally found a spot that they seem to like to feed in just as the tide covers the sandbar on the flood. Lots of trial and error to find the hook that seems to give the best shot of a good hookup, and always plenty of big freshly caught menhaden for bait and chum. Sandbar will change over the winter and will have to start again from scratch next summer but until them I am going to keep after them until they leave.
I appreciate that modest reply FS. those 1st two sentences tell me that you put the time in. sure there’s luck, but a good amount of preparation preceded the luck.
And you gave the rod to your new best friend. I bet he thinks that you catch one every time. I would imagine he’s hooked as good as the tarpon was now. Great catch and good on you for sharing your fish with your bud.
I appreciate that modest reply FS. those 1st two sentences tell me that you put the time in. sure there’s luck, but a good amount of preparation preceded the luck.
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Yessir, much like the billiard world…it seems the more I practice the luckier I get:smiley:
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
quote:Yessir, much like the billiard world...it seems the more I practice the luckier I get
I’m a firm believer that preparation and practice prevents poor performance. And I love shooting billiards Been practicing that for 50 years. Still ain’t real good at it, but better than most.
