FISH OF A LIFE TIME – Anna’s first Tarpon

I finally decided to head out with Steve to catch my first tarpon. I usually don't partake in trips with Steve because either he is working or I am working. Shockingly, the stars lined up today and we were able to go out with our long time friends, Tammy & Timmy. If you're Facebook friends with Steve then you know that I told Steve I was going to catch a tarpon today or he would be moving out to the rocks....guess he likes our house because DAYUM, did I catch a tarpon.

First hook up of the day was handed off to me, nice strong fish but Steve called it right away - shark. We ditched anchor and followed it for a quick land & release so we could get back to business. Next up, Timmy. Tim pulled in a nice bull red. That's always exciting, but not quite what we were after so we vented the fish, sent him on his way and got back to it. Hook up three, Tammy's up! Must have been a school passing through because she landed another nice, just over slot, red - rinse and repeat on that release. A couple more hook ups, one a tarpon which we got a jump out of before he broke us off. Then....the stuff hits the fan.

A hook up and it's running. Steve grabs the rod, sets the hook, and tells me to get up there and that this is my fish. Immediately we got a nice jump & we all got sight of just how large this fish is. Now I am flipping out. I don't want to new'b this beautiful fish and lose it. I asked Steve if he could walk me through the basics, like what to do if it jumps etc. I held tight while Tim & Steve ditched anchor then I handed Steve the rod quickly. I could see the line was coming up to the surface and I was pretty sure that meant she was about to jump. Steve shows me how to point the rod at the fish on the jumps so she doesn't spit the hook and gives me a few more tips. By now I am feeling comfortable, so I take the rod and start to fight this beast. After a few minutes I call Steve over because something doesn't feel right. It feels like the line is rubbing on something. I look up and crap, I realize that this fish probably just swam through this guy's line. I hand it to Steve & sure enough we confirm it. The guys just to our right thought they had a fish but weren't sure, sounds like a line cross to me.

I just want to thank the guys in the john boat near the channel marker for being awesome dudes. They cut their line for us so we could continue to fight the fish. I hope you guys are reading this because you helped to make my day epic. Once they cut the line, Steve fights the fish for a little while and up comes the hook and line from the other rig. Tim was able to pull it off and we were back on - I take back the rod and get back to work.

We have now crossed the channel with this fish. We've gotten another jump from her, but she's headed directly towards another boat that is anchored near the channel on the north jetty. Crap dude, this is not good. I am getting nervous and don't want to mess it up so I tap out and give it to Steve for a bit.

Another thank you to some awesome dudes in the walk-around near the north rocks. These guys pulled anchor for us to fight this fish. You know, on a Saturday you hear all kinds of stories about the "googans" and "kooks". Today must have been special, because there were only people out there who were excited to see us fighting this monster and were ready to do what they needed to do, even if it mean pulling anchor. Hope you guys are reading, because you also helped with my epic day. Good vibes out to all you guys!

We fight this fish all over the place. I lost count on how many jumps, how many runs, how many circles she ran us in, and especially how many times we said, "ok I think she's ready" only to have her throw us the middle finger. Nothing was stopping this tarpon. Oh did I mention this was Tim's first time driving the boat to chase a fish? Yeah, this all happened.

Finally, with sweat dripping from my face she's actually ready and she's a monster - it's hard to tell how big she really was. We just know it's bigger than all the others we've seen caught from the inlet. Maybe 150? Who the heck cares anyway, that fight was freaking awesome and that was my first tarpon!

Thanks to Tammy for snapping these awesome photos!

EDIT: Anna wrote this report for Florida Sportsman. I just reposted it for her here.