Keys 7-7-07 to 7-8-07

cudaman · Post by **cudaman** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:14 pm

Went to Channel 2 on Staurday....forecast was cloudy and rainy....I thought it would make a nice day for fishing, but it ended up being clear skies and no rain....The water was crystal clear

and the bait was the size of nickles...The first outgoing was almost unnoticeable and in the first 5 minutes I was able to hook up on a small cuda that shook up the hook while I was waiting for the net (lost my bridge gaff)...Mike PGB went out looking for cudas with the tube lure when suddenly he starts screaming I"M OOOOON... I'M OOOON IT'S A TARPON!!! his very first saltwater caught tarpon, we got it on the bridge and the Tarpon crapped all over Mike LMAO.....the night went silent and then the wind started to blow a bit maybe 15 knots the water color started to change but wasn't milky enough....I got a run on a crab but it was a tarpon, jumped it and that was it. The bait started to appear, a lot of big menhaden and some greenies mixed in. Got a few and tried for snappers but not even grunts were present at the time, morning came and Mikepbg got a cuda that was it for the day....

Gasoline---$40.00
One tube lure---$3.79
Catching a tarpon for the fist time, getting crapped on, and then releasing it? PRICELESS!

Here are some pics:
Reason why I like going to the keys:

Mike's cuda:

Mike's Priceless Tarpon:

sharkboy50 · Post by **sharkboy50** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:16 am

nice going cuda man nice tarpon cat ch

swordfish · Post by **swordfish** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:24 am

too funny... YEAH I got to jump 2 tarpon, BUT got nailed 11 times! Nice seeing u again Cudaman, we gotta do some fishing together soon!!

mikeypbg · Post by **mikeypbg** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:29 pm

Nice report buddy and thanks for the help landing that fish. What a rush!!!
I still cant believe he ate that tube lure but I think that my suspicions were correct.

I am currently reading an excellent book called "Fish Fights" by Bob Rich, who is an Islamorada Resident, All-Around Fishing Fanatic, and consummate Redbone Supporter. In the book one chapter disccusses his quest for his 100lb tarpon on fly, and he talks about a time where a guide, whom I cannot remember and will update later, took him down to fish for tarpon while they were feeding on the Palolo Worm. This worm hatches in late June and Early in July and all of the tarpon, both inshore and offshore, migrate to one spot to feed on these worms. While doing this they are not as picky about what they eat and will eat most anything that resembles a worm.

For those who care to know a bit more, the book is about Bob's quest for the Miami Met Tournament Hall of Fame. For those that don't know, the Miami Met is a longstanding tourney with a traditionally catch and kill format. Bob Rich fought to have those rules changed before he began his quest for the 10 Met species which include Tarpon, Sailfish, Wahoo, Bonefish, Snook/Trout, Permit, Barracuda, Black Bass, Marlin, and one which I cannot recall but will update later as well. I'm on the snook/trout chapter now so the final fish is one I havent read about yet..

Swordfish...sorry I slept through your visit. Maybe we can meet up next time. Jumping those 'poons on fly musta been fun. From what cudaman said, you may have been headed down toward that spot where they were feeding.

Were you aware?

Anyway, indeed it was a priceless moment to be crapped on by the silver king and I am proud to have bowed in its presence.

Another first for Mikey, courtesy of the experience and friends gained from Boatlessfishing.com

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:22 pm

I have caught a few tarpon on tube lures. They resemble ballyhoo or needlefish both of which tarpon feed on.No shocker in catching anything that feeds on those baits on a tube lure.

mikeypbg · Post by **mikeypbg** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:38 pm

Thats cool FF73.

I like my explanation a bit better but both certainly make sense. I do however think their resemblance to a worm is much closer.

Either way, still a very cool catch that is now my desktops at work and a picture on the bulletin board.

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:41 pm

If you are refering to the paloa worm hatch those worms are tiny around 1/2 - 2 inches long could be though I won't discount your theory. I have trolled with tube lures and caught grouper and muttons so never discount a properly fished tube lure.

mikeypbg · Post by **mikeypbg** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:45 pm

I am referring to the paloa or palolo worm. The articles and book both state that if it resembles a worm i.e. a plastic bass lure, could work during the hatch.

But you are correct, a properly presented anything can ignite a strike.

james380 · Post by **james380** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:24 pm

damnit Chris why do you have to go and ruin the mans theory. I agree with Mike his story is more entertaining and then you come along with your anti aircraft gun and shoot it out of the sky. Ya big jerk.

fishnfool73 · Post by **fishnfool73** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:36 pm

Never ruined his theory it may have merit ..... all I know is that the tarpon ate the lure and he caught it why is not important.

mikeypbg · Post by **mikeypbg** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:50 pm

Good point Chris...End of discussion.

James thanks for the entertainment. After a long day at work, I needed that laugh. ROTFL LMAO

Rijkaard...nice attempt but I just didnt laugh as hard as I did at james380s comment.

james380 · Post by **james380** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:21 am

any time. I'm here to entertain yous.