We started off today getting an unexpected shot at a nice permit… a black tale sticking up through the wave about 40 feet away. I made the cast, had a follow and a little jack grabbed the fly before Mr. Permit could.
After that I broke off a bone, lost one in the mangroves and was starting to get a little frustrated. Then… the day turned around. My boat-mate, Charlie, caught his first fly caught bone, then his second and third. We found a school of bones that just wouldn’t spook and we caught bone after bone.
Then, we went looking for tarpon. We found them. We fished a deep cut with sooooo much life, it was just amazing. There were jacks busting bait and tarpon rolling and cudas crushing little bait fish. It was happening all around us and it was awe inspiring. Felt like being transported back in time to some virgin bit of paradise.
I had a tarpon eat my black death bunny about 20 feet off the boat. I was sure I had a good hook set on him, but he spit the hook on the first jump. I was shaken… literally. Took me a few minutes to get composed (but it was the kind of being ruffled with a big smile on my face). Had a second shot and a good hoot set. The fish took off and then jumped (caught on camera, I’ll get it up when I can) and then came off. I even jumped a third tarpon. A nice tarpon. Maybe 60 pounds. Awesome.
It was just a fantastic, wonderful day with Avalon guide TiTi and boat-mate Charlie. I caught somewhere around 5-7 bones, three snappers, a horse eyed jack (15 pounds) and jumped three nice tarpon.
We’ve even seen Franco this evening, the saltwater croc that hangs around the houseboat.
One of the most enjoyable days I’ve had on the water.
Yes... it is as awesome as it looks here.
