Post by Adirondack-Jim on Jun 21, 2007 20:42:45 GMT -5
I've been fishing freshwater all my life but recently had the opportunity to go on my second saltwater trip. I thought smallmouth bass and steelhead fought hard but what a shock at the power of saltwater fish. Fished the the Florida Keys outside of Marathon for four days in mid-May with my friend JC and Captain Diego Cordova.
Flats fishing was a blast as it's all visual and pretty much spot and stalk. But stock up on the sun screen even in May.
My friend JC with a smal barracuda and a snapper.
May is the season for huge tarpon that are 6' long and weigh 100 lbs. plus. Pretty much like hooking onto a car going by the house doing 40 mph. I absolutely could not believe the power of these fish. We had a 90 pounder up to the boat and an 8' to 9' lemon shark showed up to have it for lunch. We were able to break the fish off before the shark had a chance. Below is about a 120 pounder we were able to boat.
Seven mile bridge just east of Marathon. Pretty impressive bridge work and the large tarpon stack up between the piers.
We were very fortunate to land a 22# permit. Could not believe a 22# fish could beat me up trying to get it to the boat. It was like trying to pull a garbage can lid on steroids through the water sideways.
We stayed a small mom & pop motel and out hostess and her family made a great dinner with the permit. It was delicous...
I'm envious of folks living in an area with this kind of fishing and can't wait to go back. If you ever have a chance for saltwater fishing don't pass it up. I'm thinking a retirement chasing fisher in the winter and saltwater fishing in the spring might be a great combination. I think I'll talk with my wife...
Flats fishing was a blast as it's all visual and pretty much spot and stalk. But stock up on the sun screen even in May.
My friend JC with a smal barracuda and a snapper.
May is the season for huge tarpon that are 6' long and weigh 100 lbs. plus. Pretty much like hooking onto a car going by the house doing 40 mph. I absolutely could not believe the power of these fish. We had a 90 pounder up to the boat and an 8' to 9' lemon shark showed up to have it for lunch. We were able to break the fish off before the shark had a chance. Below is about a 120 pounder we were able to boat.
Seven mile bridge just east of Marathon. Pretty impressive bridge work and the large tarpon stack up between the piers.
We were very fortunate to land a 22# permit. Could not believe a 22# fish could beat me up trying to get it to the boat. It was like trying to pull a garbage can lid on steroids through the water sideways.
We stayed a small mom & pop motel and out hostess and her family made a great dinner with the permit. It was delicous...
I'm envious of folks living in an area with this kind of fishing and can't wait to go back. If you ever have a chance for saltwater fishing don't pass it up. I'm thinking a retirement chasing fisher in the winter and saltwater fishing in the spring might be a great combination. I think I'll talk with my wife...