Just cant get enough in St. Simons Island! Well the last few days have been great with some big fish, tailing reds, and tarpon. As I sit here listening to the thunder from a lightning filled storm that just rolled through I think about the day I had the pleasure of being part of. This morning I headed out with Jeffery for a little red fishing. We only had about 4 hours to fish so we stayed close and got some really nice reds as they came out the grass. After that I headed solo north in search of a few tarpon to tangle with. As I met up with a couple buddies from Savannah they stayed in their boat and I stayed in mine. We got several shot but not much was going on. The day before we boated some big fish in the 120+ pound range and even got a 16lb red fish to eat. But that was yesterday so we moved on. Arriving at new water I watched and as I cast at a few cruising fish I had one roll about 5 feet off the side of the boat. The fish was just under the surface and I was able to slap the fly in front of it and the fish sank out of siteangry. As I went to pick up the fly the fish can out of the green water from under the fly and went air born. I could only lift the rod as the leader was already in the guides. I watch as the fish went one way and my fly the other. I inspected the fly and the hook tip was rolled so I retied a new one. A few minutes later I made a cast at a fish that had just rolled and it ate! Game on as the fish jumped a half dozen times and as I cleared the line I realized it was just me and the fish. This is not normally a problem until you are ready to land the fish and there is no one to assist you. As the fish grew tired I pulled it close enough to grab the leader with one hand and before I new it the fish almost got a Prototype Hardy Rod designed by Andy Millsmileand a very expensive reel not to mention my hand. I scrambled to save the rod and stepped on another! This was not going well and the bad part was help was about 100 yards away but little did I realize they were also hooked into a 100+ pound fish. As I got another chance to land the fish I reached for the leader and got it again. For a second I actually thought I was winning and time seemed to stand still. Then the fish put everything back in fast forward and all hell broke loose as did the fish. winkIt was a fish and a day I will remember for the rest of my life. Tight lines and remember to hire a Full Time Knowledgeable guide. wink
Tight Lines and tarpon dreams
Scott