Tarpon on fly (with pics)

Fishing Saltwater Fly Fishing
1

I did my obligatory tarpon trip with my good friend, Rick Grassett. We love to fly fish for tarpon “after the season is over.”

We anchored on a shoal in the inshore Gulf of Mexico and had several shots. Finally, I connected in early afternoon. I used a chartruese Toad. Took 32 minutes to land the 110-pound tarpon. It was a single fish and took an 80 foot cast.

The fish was swimming along the bottom in 5 feet of water. So, I put the fly about 20 feet in front and let it sink until the tarpon was within a few feet. I twitched it a couple of times and the tarpon inhaled it.

2

He’s definitely giving you the eyeball…

3

JEALOUS! Very Nice!

4

That, my friend, is impressive.

Gives me a new name for my pb 8#+ bass… bait. :wink:

5

Steve,

That is one wonderful fish. Congratulations! 8T :slight_smile:

6

Always intrigues me when a fish is trying to look at the fly, or fisherman. Makes your wonder is their IQ is really 5 or if thats just what the “scientists” say.

7

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing

8

What wt. Rod ?? Sure way to give the legs a workout.
Thanks for sharing another adventure. Well done

Philip

9

I would guess an 11 or 12 by the size and length of fight.

10

Steve,
Thanks for sharing your amazing experience!
Doug

11

It was a 12-weight with a clear sinktip line, 20-pound leader and 80-pound fluorocarbon shock. Fly was a chartreuese Toad.

12

Steve,

I’m as green as your “Toad” with envy! Great job! Nice Fish! That’s a trip I’ve got on my “list”, I’m always delighted to see photo’s and action like this. Thanks for sharing the adventure, good going.

13

Thanks. It’s a lot of fun and you should give it a try soon. I’ve added a photo that was taken by Rick Grassett of me fighting the fish.