Sweat beaded down my temples. The hair on my neck was wet.
My arms were so tired I thought they would fall off. A
half hour had passed since the first hook up. How much more
could I stand. Six fish in under 60 minutes.
It was early morning and the back creek bustled with bait.
Fins and tails rolled on the surface and an occasional
explosion almost catapulted my angler off the bow. The
sun had just started to rise when the rocket came out of
the water. Blue iridescent foam sprayed in all directions.
My low light sunglasses were covered in salt over-spray.
Water from the mighty fish's splash dripped off my chin.
Light cascaded in arcs down each side into the erupting creek.
The giant fish exploded on the puppy drum fly and shook it
from side to side. Solid hookup. Running faster and faster
it split in front of the bow and then stopped and dove.
All of a sudden out she came. Head shaking. Tail bursting
with speed through the depths to reach the surface. Flying
like a solid rocket booster straight up and over on her side.
Splash!
Then back again. Second wind. Mindful that the hook was
still there, the shaking started all over again. Only now
she raced more furious that before. Every gesture was more
erratic and more intense. Until that moment when we thought
the rod would surely break. Slack!
Call her Cuban Tarpon, Ten Pounder, Skip Jack or just plain
Dynamite. Exploding on anything that moves in its path from
a fly to a Spook Jr. to a live mullet. The mighty Ladyfish,
will strike hard and without compromise. She will take your
breath away.
Ladyfish are in the Elopidae (Tarpons) family, elops saurus,
and similar to the Silver King, Megalops Atlanticus. They
are found everywhere in inshore saltwater estuaries, bays
and occasionally freshwater, occurring in tidal pools and
canals. They form large schools and harass bait on the surface.
Ladyfish will run between 2 to 3 pounds with the Florida State
Record being 4 pounds 10 ounces. They are known to spawn
offshore. Adults feed predominantly on fish and crustaceans.
So next time you want some unbelievable fun, especially on
a fly rod, hook yourself up a Ladyfish and be prepared for
the fight of your life. Who said Ladyfish weren't fun to catch?
Please don't teach your trash to swim.
~ Doug Sinclair
About Doug:
Capt. Doug Sinclair has relocated from New Smyrna Beach, Florida to
Grantsboro, NC. He specializes in fly-fishing and light tackle charters.
Doug charters the Coastal Carolina area of New Bern or Oriental.
Catch him on the web at
www.flyfishacademy.net or call him at (252) 745-3500.
Doug is also a Sponsor here on FAOL.
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