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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
July 27, 2004
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Hanger Hangs Into Tarpon On The Fly
Moving my tarpon on the fly charter operation up the coast to North Florida waters proved very productive for my clients, Roger Hanger and Robert Hines of Tennessee. The weather conditions could not have been better.
Fly fishing for tarpon has to be the greatest sport on earth. At one point in time during the three day adventure we had the greatest spot on earth to have shots at cruising tarpon.
Each day the pair jumped tarpon and even I got in on the action and jumped a tarpon. The 23 foot Tremblay is designed to be stealthy at anchor and has plenty of room for 2 anglers to fly fish at the same time while at anchor.
The highlight of our trip came the third and last day with a single silver king coming head on to Hanger. The five foot long black backed shape had its afterburners on moving at a speed of nearly 3 miles and hour. Compared to a fast walk for a human, Hanger led the fish 10 feet and began stripping the fly line when the big black mouth opened and struck at the fly. He missed it but Hanger kept his fly rod down and miraculously got the fly in front of the tarpon again when it ate it good and proper.
The Sage 12-weight RPLI coupled with a Pacific Tibor Reel was more than the tarpon could handle. With the drag nearly locked down the tarpon never got off the fly line as it wildly jumped more than 10 times within minutes. No, this was not a small tarpon nor a giant, but probably in the neighborhood of 105 pounds.
Hanger was breathing hard as he battled the tarpon with the veteran skill he possesses from many years on the bow each and every season. Three times the knot of the leader came into the rod tip. The tarpon was all but beat and boated when the last and most unlucky jump of 13, the fly came out of its mouth.
Hanger said he wanted a picture with that fish. Maybe next month as these fish will be around to until Labor Day.
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