With a cold front pushing through this week my typical Fishy Fridays looked like a bust, so I decided to play hooky Wednesday and fish the pre frontal bite instead. Weather was absolutely perfect. One of those days just made for sight fishing with the fly rod.
Launched about 8a on a mid falling tide, and decided I’d go check on the tarpon spot after seeing one free jump last week. I anchored out and made few dredging casts but the tide was really ripping and I wasn’t seeing much, so after about 30min I headed back “offshore” to the same shoal I fished last week. Made the short mile or so run out on pure glassy water to see the shoal high n dry in the middle. Water was nice and clear, with just a faint breeze. Again, perfect setup. I Wasn’t on the pole long, and I see the first red, about 15’ off the starboard side. He’s just laying there right beside a stingray that was fanning the bottom. I dropped the fly about an inch in front of his nose, and he sucked it right in….Fish On!!!
After a short fight, and clean release, I get my gear back in order and push on. It wasn’t much longer and I see another red about 40’ at my 2oclk slow cruising, I take the shot, and put the fly about 3’ in front of him. I wait as he approach’s and give it one short strip and he devours it. He’s far enough out, that he gets on the reel pretty quick, and actually put up a pretty good fight.
After another clean release, and it’s back to pole. The next opportunity came from a tailer. He was far enough off my port side that I didn’t have a perfect view of his position, but as I’m getting ready to shoot, he turns and I catch a good view of him. I drop the fly about a foot past him and 6” or so in front and strip. He sees and goes for it, but somehow misses or stops short, and disappears in the grass. I had several more shots throughout the morning but no more hookups. Every fish had interest but just wouldn’t commit. I did have a funny incident though. It was Almost the same setup as fish #1 minus the ray. He’s laid up, but in a position that required me to cast at him on my back cast. I take the shot, and literally drop the fly on his head. He raises up to see what had just hit him between the eyes, and promptly takes off..
..
As I’m polling along I came across this gem.
Can’t imagine how much damage hitting this thing would do..
.. I did report it to FWC so maybe it’ll be dealt with.
Then to finish the day off, as I’m getting ready to jump down off the platform, a massive Tarpon comes swimming by the boat. Just few feet beside me. Solo. This guy is easily 6-7’ long and fat. Of course my 12wt was in the rod holder, and there was no way of finding him again, as he was heading into the channel, but man what a sight.
I also couldn’t miss opportunity to take a quick shot with this old crab pot. It’s a good answer to the old “how skinny do you fish” question.
