Chilly Back-country Tarpon

We left the dock at 8am and it was blowing 20 knots from the North. Christine and Jeff Thompson said they could handle it so after stopping halfway across the bay to regroup we pushed on towards the far backcountry. They really wanted a go at a Tarpon and since the cold wind had begun during the early morning hours the water temp was still in the high 60's F. Well the cold wet ride paid off. Christine caught an estimated 140lb Tarpon that really put on a wild show. Jeff had another jump and spit the hook.  Jeff did catch a Lemon Shark and a couple of Blacktips. We used Fox Sport Fishing Sailfish Trek travel rod and a Diablo 750 for these captures.

Christine Thompson catches huge Tarpon on a very cold morning

moments like this is what makes a cold ride worthwhile

Christine's Tarpon

Jeff spent some time fighting the Lemon Shark

Jeff caught this hefty Lemon Shark

Plenty of action was had later in the day with Seatrout, Spanish Macks and Mangrove Snapper.

Jeff holds a Spanish Mackerel for Christine

Day 2 was really tough. COLD..... water temp was down to 61F. No Tarpon sightings much less a take. We did spend some time catching a mess of snapper for another dinner at Lazy Days. As we finished up late in the afternoon balls of mullet were coming in from the ocean. As soon as it warms up the Tarpon fishing should go off.

Captain Skip Nielsen