Sea Pro’s got the Mojo

I had just gotten back from Key Largo. Literally. The family and I left at seven in the morning and we were back by twelve. The car was parked in the driveway, barely unloaded, and the boat prep began. The plan was to meet with Rich around two so we could catch the good outgoing tide. I really wanted to get some weekday tarpon fishing in, especially with four days left on my vacation, and the boat hadn’t been run in almost two months. Besides, the family had spent so much time together, we were just about sick of each other. Time to go.

First, a little background information. Our vacation in Key Largo was a family trip. Swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, grilling out, catching local bars and restaurants as well as sightseeing were on the agenda. No fishing. The irony is hilarious. Here we are in fishing paradise, never having fished these islands before, and no fishing for me. I didn’t even bring the boat, but brought one fishing rod just in case. I cast out off a few docks just so I could say I fished in Key Largo, but this was a family trip, which was fine with me. Needing some rest badly, this was a great vacation even without chasing the trophy fish of the Keys. Everyone had a good time.

So my boat, a 2004 Sea Pro bay boat, is prepped and ready to go, Rich arrives at two and we dropped in at Cockroach Bay boat ramp by two thirty. Sure, I was tired, but being on the water can be a quite relaxing, especially on a weekday, in this case, a Thursday. A great escape after a long drive.

Off we go in search of threadfins. That was a big disappointment. All the markers were barren. Rich and I searched every one on the south shore side of the bay to no avail. Not getting too concerned, we sabikied up a few threads at the Skyway and started some drifts, waiting for the crab flush. A decent hill tide was predicted today. The well would have some pass crabs eventually.

The current at the Skyway was strong, and to be honest a little intimidating in my little Sea Pro. Only being an eighteen, water was coming over the bow when idling back from drifting. The other problem was that we were drifting way too fast. Having the bait in the strike zone for longer than thirty seconds was nearly impossible, plus on every pass we had to make sure the vessel would go through the bridge pilings without a mishap.

Finally the crab flush started but much less than expected. After working hard for about a dozen crabs, I decided to hell with the drifting, wanting to anchor up and relax, not having to worry about hitting the bridge, getting my crab in the zone for enough time to get a strike, and so I could relax with a cold one. After anchoring, the only issue was we were getting a little damp, and keeping balance was top priority.

Rich and I finally sat down for a few and soaked our baits in the strong currents. Seeing no sign of fish was discouraging, but at least we had a chance to relax, and weren’t fighting the pilings, wind and waves. Plus we had the time to let our bait flow in the strike zone for a while.

About thirty minutes of drifting crabs through the current with no takers, I finally kicked my feet up, put the rod in the rod holder, and let the crab soak in the general area I had been seeing fish all year. I didn’t want to kill the crab in the current, but we had a few more and to be honest I was getting a little restless, planning on leaving soon. Wouldn’t you know it; the rod went off in the rod holder and I just happened to pick it up at the right time.

After unhooking us, Rich put me to the bow and I was fighting a fish, on my boat for a change. Don’t get me wrong; I have hooked my fair share of tarpon on the Sea Pro before, but have never landed one. In addition, I had never landed a silver king on my new rod and reel I bought last year. I felt like my boat and tackle were cursed.

Every time landing a tarpon I was on different boats, and usually whomever I was with happened to hand me their rod to fight the fish for whatever the reason. Sure, some of this is credited to the fact that I have been on other people’s vessels to tarpon fish the majority of this and last year, mainly because my friend’s boats are bigger or they were offering free rides. Who can turn up a free ride on a boat?

So here I am, the only boat around, fighting a nice tarpon on my “cursed” rod and reel. Being very tense, I tried not to horse the fish. My knots worried me. The hook bending worried me. A shake or break off worried me. The entire battle seemed like forever, and this fish stayed green for a long time. After about thirty minutes, she was boatside for pictures, and finally, a silver king graced the side of my boat for a change, on my own rod and reel, knots, and hooks. It was a great feeling, and I had a little luck on my side, being that the hook was bent pretty straight. I got some pictures and even took a DNA swab to turn into the tackle shop.

What a long day it was, after leaving Key Largo in the morning, immediately fishing Tampa Bay after getting home, going out in my own ride for a change, and bringing the first tarpon to the Sea Pro. You would figure I would have been tired, but I was stoked for hours afterward.

Since that day I have brought a few more tarpon to my own vessel, but I won’t forget the day I had finally accomplished something special, something I had been looking forward to for months, maybe even years. Going out completely own my own accord, and getting that fish.