Fly angler Steve Grenier, on board my Silver King 'The Salty Fly' hooks a large Tarpon on the 3rd cast of the morning while fishing for spotted sea trout. First cast, a Pinfish, on the second cast - a small Spotted Sea Trout, and on the third, well - way more than an 8 weight should have to handle.
Although this accidentally happens once or twice a season, usually the Tarpon is on for only a jump or two and breaks off within a minute or two, especially since we are usually using a 25 to 30 Lb flourocarbon bite leader, tied to a 9 Ft, 20 Lb tapered leader. And for the hook, that shouldn't have stayed either as it's a long-shank, light #2 on a custom, Ultra Hair Clouser fly.
Anyway, the fight was one of the most epic battles I've had in my 26 years of guiding here in St. Petersburg, Florida. Three hours, thirty minutes and 12 jumps. One hell of a heart and spirit for a 100 + Lb Megalops Alanticus.
