Boca Grande Tarpon

[rsimms]

Just returned from an outdoor writer junket to Punta Gorda/Englewood, Fla. area, tarpon fishing the world-famous Boca Grande. And yes, it was grand. Day one was excellent (jumped six, landed three - would have been four but we got "sharked"). Day two the 'poon had a little bit of lockjaw. We only jumped/landed one. But I actually spent half the day with only camera in hand rather than a fishing rod and got some great pics. This is a "must do" experience for anyone who loves to fish. I also spent a morning hunting shark teeth!

 

[TN Song Dog]

Wow! Stuff of dreams! Thanks for sharing. Sharks can really ruin a day on the water though…

 

[Volbuck777]

Awesome.

 

[spoonie]

Awesome! I hate sharks, dolphins aren't much better either

 

[Setterman]

It's pretty shocking that there's still a reputable tarpon guide out there that allows a fish to get nailed by a shark. Any of the decent guides look for the warning signs and immediately pop a fish off to avoid this happening.

Great pics and sounds like a great trip

 

[Turkeychaser]

Awesome! Great pictures!

 

[rsimms]

It's pretty shocking that there's still a reputable tarpon guide out there that allows a fish to get nailed by a shark. Any of the decent guides look for the warning signs and immediately pop a fish off to avoid this happening.

Great pics and sounds like a great trip

NOBODY could have seen that one coming! The first sign of a shark in the vicinity was what you saw on video.

 

[Travis G.]

Sweet video.

 

[sll]

Awesome….. that lovely lady in the 6th pic was giving that rod all it could handle! ……get your minds out of the gutter!

 

[RoyalPrudent]

I nearly lost a big permit to a shark once. Had to break it off in about three feet of water and then do everything we could to deter the shark. It was a bit frustrating. I may have said a curse word.

 

[Setterman]

NOBODY could have seen that one coming! The first sign of a shark in the vicinity was what you saw on video.

Gotcha, dang sharks are a real problem. Wonder if the FWC is looking at ways to manage that pooualtion

 

[Pilch]

Cool! Who did you fish with?

 

[thirdwilliam]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Big Pop]

My one tarpon fishing trip I saw this exact same scenario happen with my son after he had hooked and fought a fish around Seven Mile Bridge for about 25 minutes with some of the wildest weaving in and out of bridge pilings and power poles you can imagine. Hammerhead came out of nowhere and nailed a hundred pound tarpon. We did later bring to boat one fish estimated a little over 100 lbs. It happens. Sharks have to eat too! There is no shortage of big sharks in Florida or anywhere in the Gulf of 'Merica from what I've experienced.

 

[rsimms]

Cool! Who did you fish with?

Capt. Justin Caufmann (Native Salt Charters) and Capt. Jay Withers (Silver Lining Charters).

 

[rsimms]

More photos and info posted here: https://newschannel9.com/sports/out...ca-grande-fish-that-test-body-mind-and-spirit

And here's another fun video:

 

[Planking]

Im going to start shark fishing more when i'm down there to do my part because that happens much more often than it should. The fillet process takes a serrated and regular from what i'm seeing. Some of the shark species look similar and can be tough to id. Very cool video!

 

[Pilch]

Capt. Justin Caufmann (Native Salt Charters) and Capt. Jay Withers (Silver Lining Charters).

Cool. I know Jay from fishing tournaments against one another 20 yrs ago.