I love tarpon fishing. My father in law just had quite an experience... he was fishing for tarpon in the St. Lucie River in Stuart ( east coast ) in his little 15' boat when he hooked a tarpon that towed him him about 1/2 mile. He finally got him to the side of the boat but could not wrestle him in for a picture. Afterall, he was alone and he's 78. And the fish he estimated at 180lbs+.
That's a very nice fish. For many years we fished tarpon from the Tampa Bay/Tarpon Springs south to Boca Grande - Gasparilla Island - Port Charlotte. However, the last few years we've pretty much stayed north in the big bend area and waited for the fish to come to us. Largest I've ever landed was 173# at the scale, way back in the early 70s. It's a shame we used to kill those beautiful animals just for the pupose of hauling them to a tournament weigh-in. I'm glad the sport evolved to largely a catch-release format as the fish serves little purpose beyond a wall mount (not even necessary today) or crab and shark food. Of course there's still the reality of a live release being taken by a shark. For me the time spent on the water searching for and chasing the schools of tarpon as they greyhound their way up and down the gulf coast is all I need. Hooking and boating one is just a huge bonus.
Great story about your f-n-law George. I have fished in that inlet and the Stuart inlet for trout and snook many times. 173# is a helluva fish Gaterz. I have only caught two tarpon and both were at 75#. Still great fun though.
Soooo......I guess you guys don't want to hear my tales of adventure fishing off the end of my dock in my northern Indiana lake for bluegill and red-ear the size of my hand or slightly larger. :roll: I'm envious. I would like to try tarpon fishing at least once in my lifetime.
MCG, I have never caught a tarpon that big. My best is maybe 100#. My father in law is one of the best fishermen I know. Here he is in Costa Rica with a sailfish I've seen tarpon that are in excess of 200# but never hooked one up. We release everything except the occasional snook or mahi-mahi. Sid, I love bluegill and sunnie fishing. Great eating and fun to catch on ultralight tackle. Meet me in Hobe Sound and I'll take you tarpon fishing. It's easy. Small boat, two rods, some live bait and beer.
You have a place in Hobe Sound George? Great area of Florida. "Soooo......I guess you guys don't want to hear my tales of adventure fishing off the end of my dock in my northern Indiana lake for bluegill and red-ear the size of my hand or slightly larger." Sid...my Grandfather and I caught panfish that big in Fla and he called 'em "titty Bream" because you had to hold 'em up against your chest to get them off because your hand wouldn't fit around them.
George....I am originally from Jacksonville and I have friends in Vero and in Stuart. Unfortunately I reside now in Michigan as I have for the last 27 years. I do visit various parts of Florida 3 or 4 times per year at least.