Late Season Tarpon in Tampa Bay 

The full moon in July usually kicks off a good run of late season Tarpon fishing in the bay and this year was no disappointment. I planned to take a few days off last week to capitalize on the action as best I could. Some days were slow and some days brought consistent action. Luckily the storms cooperated for the most part and we only got blown off the water one day. When you add it all up we did pretty well and even got some decent photo's to boot.

My buddy Gary gets out every blue moon but he's bowed up on his second Tarpon of the year here....

 Acrobat... 

Button hooked bruiser... 

 'Showin off her shoulders...

 Last gulp before landing...

We leadered the fish twice and were ready to handle her for Gary's photo's but this Tarpon had other plans.  She got a shot of energy and decided to try entering the boat on her own. But she didn't; luckily she bounced off the Power-Pole and the rod that was positioned in the starboard rod holderIn the process she trashed a 4500 baitrunner and snapped the hook.  Tarpon fishing ain't easy and it ain't cheap either.

Gary certainly earned himself a beer after the bout with that fish... 

   Remnants of the baitrunner...busted handle and bent body.

 My buddy Vince Stegura from www.skinnywaterculture.com hooked up to 1 of his 3 Tarpon that day....

  Boatside jump shot...

  Spunky fish... 

Next up my buddy Nathan got the hot hand and hung a few. It would be impossible for me to pay Nathan back for all the Tarpon he's put me on over the years in Boca Grande, but still it was fun to at least begin putting a dent in that debt. As expected, he whipped a nice 100 plus pound class fish in about 10 minutes. The guy's got the mojo and the skills to match, that's for sure.

Nate doing some heavy lifting... 

Gill shaker...

  Just about done...

  Still a little frisky....

  Nathan and his Tampa Tarpon!

  We jumped a few more before I got a hook to stick and then I took my turn on the bow for awhile.

  This is what it's all about....

  Here was the next contestant... 

  Leadered and still a little green...

Here's Brad and Brittney Novalsky from www.floridasportswoman.com fighting a fish.

Can you spot the random Tarpon rolling in the bottom right 1/4 of the photo behind the boat?

My Dad's turn now. He came down from Georgia for a few days to fish and we got off to a slow start going 0 for 1 on Day 1, then things picked up on Day 2 when we sailed a whole bunch of fish.

We hooked 3 for him and he fought and lost all 3.  He was disappointed but it happens.  Next thing we know he put a hook in his own fish and fought the beast for 55 minutes. We knew it was a big fish but didn't know just how big. 

Dad with his hands full, and yes we finally got the belt right side up on him...

About 45 minutes into it I asked Dad if he was OK? His response was "she'll quit before I do". Duly noted.  And truth be told I should have known better than to ask that question to begin with.

The fish stayed down and pulled the boat almost 2 miles from our anchor only coming up to gulp every now and then. Dad had a hard time keeping her from gulping but he finally did it and got her to come up on her side.  When I got a good look at her I could tell it was one of, if not the biggest Tarpon I've ever been up close and personal with.

Personally, I think a lot of folks overestimate the size of their fish but that's just my opinion. I usually underestimate the size of the fish to counterbalance that (at least that's what I've been told). Unfortunately we never got many good pictures of the fish that showed her size, but if I had to guess I'd say she split the difference between 150 and 200, or thereabouts.    

In any event we leadered the fish and everybody's jaw just about dropped at her size. One headshake was enough to finally saw through the 60# leader and away she went no worse for wear.

Best shot we got right near the boat.... 

And now to the close...our last day of fishing I jumped on with Brad and his buddy Sweat for a late trip, just a few hours. I was pretty beat down and tired, sun burnt and badly in need of some rest. Nonetheless I hopped aboard and gave it a go...just one more poon on this moon!  

Wishes were granted....