Fish Catching Travel
Getting It Done The Hard Way
I thought when I got on the plane that I was leaving Texas behind. Well I left, but of course the wind came with me. It has blown every day, and right now it is 5:45 a.m. and I am writing this so I can at least show you a few pictures. I always intend to post some when I am gone, and of course it is easier said than done. All that aside, I managed to cross one of my bucket list.
Over time I have crossed of the muskie, tarpon, bonefish, and yesterday I put a permit in the boat. Clyde and I spent the day with Ken, our guide. The first stop was for tarpon, and Clyde and I really managed to mess that one up. With the wind it is really hard to see the fish. And once Ken spots them you have an instant to toss the bait, and it better be right.
When Clyde and Jeff went with him the first day they had problems getting it just right. The cast has to be dead accurate, and you have a second to get it right. Once these fish see you it is over. So we both tossed the sardine everywhere but on the fish. So after messing up a few tarpon we moved on. We ended up on a big point with mixed bottom and Ken spotted some permit. To do it right you have to toss it in front of them, tighten your line and wait for the bite. Clyde got it right.
One of the most beautiful fish in the world, and one of the toughest.
When you are making 50 -70 foot casts, in high wind, to one of the world’s premier game fish who is afraid of his own shadow it takes precise casting and bait and line management. And when it all comes together it is a thing of beauty. For about 30 minutes Clyde fought this thing. Long searing runs, then bulldog determination as they turn sideways and put the heavy muscle to you. And after a titanic struggle, we had one in the boat. I have some video and will get it posted when I get back, but I am in a hurry to get going so the vids will have to wait.
Next I saw one turn sideways about 60 feet away and Ken said throw so I did. I missed the area by about 10 feet with the cast so he told me to reel in fast. I did allowed for windage on that cast, dropping the crab about 3 foot from where I wanted it. Then all of a sudden my crab disappeared, and it was on. Folks, I have caught marlin, amberjacks, bull reds and a host of other big fish, but nothing compares to a permit.
A dream realized!
Fish fight, but these permit are beyond anything I have ever caught. The wide body and sickle tail allow them to make long blistering runs, and then turn sideways and use that wide body to bulldog you. This one almost spooled a casting reel with 200 yards of 20lb test. He got in a mangrove tree in the water and we had to untangle the line and let him work out. After all that he was still ready to go and I never would have thought that it would take over 20 minutes to land one on pretty heavy stuff, but they fight like no bodies business.
With the wind tough like it is I have still managed to put 5 bonefish on the rod. They are so fun, and on light line and light spinning rods are load of fun. Here is one Jeff caught off the dock waiting for the guide the first day.
Clyde holding one of Jeff’s first bones.
So here we are, heading to breakfast and then Jeff and I are meeting Ken for another day on the water. It will take me a lot more time than this to tell you everything, and as soon as I get back I will get to the whole story. And I have lots of other pics to share so I will keep it coming. But right now it is time to get after it. This will be my second day with Ken and I am as excited as I was yesterday. It ain’t easy, but it is awesome. So keep stopping by and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
