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Tarpon Junkies

120,692 Views | 643 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Stat Monitor Repairman
Ayto Siks
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In reply to Centerpole90 • 6:03p, 2/26/17
Centerpole90 said:
Remember those text conversations from a couple years ago?? Amazing work. Preserverance pays bro.


I blame my tarpon addiction on you, by the way. If you would have just let me give up, I wouldn't spend Saturday nights getting my face chewed off by bugs and dodging gators.

So thanks! I had to swing this fish onto the grass asap. His splashing attracted unwanted guests. I was able to release him safely in a different spot. And ccard, that video is amazing.

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RickSawyer
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7:17p, 2/26/17
AG
Flying out to Dominican Republic in two weeks. Going to chase the local fish and enjoy some rest and relaxation! Been busy with the vice.



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Salt of the water
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9:24p, 3/4/17
AG
Beau sporting a buff from TIFT in the What's at Stake episode. Wonder if the producers from Texas gave it to him or if they shot some Texas tourney footage...

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Finn Maccumhail
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In reply to Salt of the water • 11:00a, 3/5/17
AG
What's "TIFT"?

And I encourage y'all to donate to "Bull Sugar" "Captains for Clean Water" etc. The fix for the Glades is there but the politicians need to be pressured to act rather than bow to the wishes of 3-4 sugar conglomerates which are heavily subsidized and owned by just a couple families.
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Salt of the water
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In reply to Finn Maccumhail • 11:16a, 3/5/17
AG
Texas International fishing tournament.

Large fishing tournament out of SPI. I think it's one of the biggest in Texas. They have a tarpon division.
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RickSawyer
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11:22a, 3/5/17
AG
New 10wt is in, Rio tarpon is on the mako, a few more flies to tie... flying out for Dominican Republic in 5 days. I am ready!
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Finn Maccumhail
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In reply to RickSawyer • 4:08p, 3/5/17
AG
RickSawyer said:
New 10wt is in, Rio tarpon is on the mako, a few more flies to tie... flying out for Dominican Republic in 5 days. I am ready!

Nice. What rod did you get? And where in the DR will you be chasing poons?
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RickSawyer
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In reply to Finn Maccumhail • 4:27p, 3/5/17
AG
Finn Maccumhail said:
RickSawyer said:
New 10wt is in, Rio tarpon is on the mako, a few more flies to tie... flying out for Dominican Republic in 5 days. I am ready!

Nice. What rod did you get? And where in the DR will you be chasing poons?
Hardy Zephrus. When Jarid was prostaff for them I really fell in love with that rod in 10wt. Now I have the one piece and the 4 piece (travel rod).

Going to spend one night in Santo Domingo but the majority of my time chasing poon and permit will be on the north coast. Am staying at Playa Grande Beach Club and have been doing online research to learn the lay of the land. They have some pretty awesome lagoons as well as beachfront cruisers. Excited to get back down to the waters where I really cut my teeth on fly fishing.
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Finn Maccumhail
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5:02p, 3/5/17
AG
Sweet.

I have the Hardy ProAxis in 12wt and the ProAxis-X in 8wt. The only difference I can see is the reel seat. I'm a big fan. Both are 4-piece and I'm kind of kicking myself for not picking up the 1-piece when they were on clearance.

I think the Zephyrus is the replacement for the ProAxis line.
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Ayto Siks
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In reply to Finn Maccumhail • 7:02p, 3/5/17
Thanks Finn. The Caloosahatchee and St Lucie estuaries will also benefit from Everglades restoration.

Can't wait to see the trip report, Rick!
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Centerpole90
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In reply to Salt of the water • 9:28a, 3/6/17
AG
Salt of the water said:
Beau sporting a buff from TIFT in the What's at Stake episode. Wonder if the producers from Texas gave it to him or if they shot some Texas tourney footage...

Well, I'd bet it wasn't shot in Texas, certainly not during TIFT unless they were poling up to the dock for a beer. TIFT tarpon division is a trolling motor game.

I don't recall who won this past year - or if there was even a fish caught; 2016 the wind didn't cooperate. 2015 two anglers caught the same number of fish and the tie was decided because one caught an additional fish Friday. The guy on the short end of that in 2015 is the producer of Silver Kings; the winner is who good friend who is an Ag '98.
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Salt of the water
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In reply to Centerpole90 • 5:26p, 3/6/17
AG
That episode definitely wasn't Texas, but I keep thinking they'll do a TX episode at some point.
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RickSawyer
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9:37p, 3/6/17
AG
Puerto Rico

https://vimeo.com/197975106
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Finn Maccumhail
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In reply to RickSawyer • 10:09p, 3/6/17
AG
RickSawyer said:
Puerto Rico

https://vimeo.com/197975106

Holy crap!

I know where he caught that poon. It's on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Dorado Beach. I recognize the building on the left when he's riding the bike and holding the fly rod in his hand. Plus the little tag on the handlebars is from the resort there. I'm not sure which pond he was on but I've got a good idea.

That's badass!

If I had known about the ponds & lagoons on the golf course there I wouldn't have wasted my time and money on a guide fishing the lagoons in San Juan.
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Salt of the water
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In reply to RickSawyer • 6:06p, 3/24/17
AG
RickSawyer said:
Flying out to Dominican Republic in two weeks.


Did the vice time pay off?
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RickSawyer
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In reply to Salt of the water • 6:54p, 3/24/17
AG
Salt of the water said:
RickSawyer said:
Flying out to Dominican Republic in two weeks.


Did the vice time pay off?


Actually I never even strung my 10wt up. I saw a few rollers in a lagoon and saw single permit off beach but I just ended up having too much fun with my wife and kids to break off for a bit. Plenty of time for tarpon once the kids no longer want to hang out with me haha.
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Salt of the water
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In reply to RickSawyer • 7:46p, 3/24/17
AG
You'll just have to go back and fish with the chirruns once they're older.
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Finn Maccumhail
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12:53p, 4/18/17
AG
Rick posted this on the "Saltwater fly fishing" thread but I figured it's time to bump this thread again since the "Silver Season" is kicking off about now in the Lower Keys.



And in case you were unaware, Shallow Water Expeditions is Dave Mangum's outfit and they've got a killer Instagram feed:

https://instagr.am/p/BHGKjx1h5E8

https://instagr.am/p/5K_TdYifWH
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Finn Maccumhail
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2:44p, 4/27/17
AG
Hopefully this embed works but if not, get on Facebook and go find "The Angling Company"- our own @tedmargo gets on the board chasing poon down in Key West with Nat Linville and John O'Hearn

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAnglingCompany%2Fvideos%2F1348698171877024%2F&show_text=0&width=400" width="400" height="400" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>
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Ayto Siks
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In reply to Finn Maccumhail • 12:17p, 4/28/17
120 Days is outstanding. I've been doing something similar this year. Someone uncovered my trusty tarpon spot and things slowed down, so I went on a mission for a new tarpon nirvana.

Used Google maps to search for coastal ponds, creeks and tidal flood zones. Ended up walking about 17 miles in various locations over a couple weekends.



Some places looked good on a map, but were total busts..



And some places only had ducks..





Or bass...



Kept carrying my gear all over the Everglades and beyond, trying to find clues of tarpon. Of course I never saw rollers, that would be too easy. But I did find places where sawgrass gave way to mangroves, and bluegill were replaced by needlefish and mojarra.



Gar were everywhere


This gator stayed in the current of a shallow creek and ate several gar. Very cool to watch up close.



And since this isn't a gar thread, I eventually went back to the beginning and found poon where I originally left 'em. Same spot as always. They just didn't want to bite until dark, which means extra thermacells and a headlamp.



Working on night moves..


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Salt of the water
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2:10p, 4/28/17
AG
Killin' it.
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RickSawyer
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3:15p, 4/28/17
AG
Lovely post!
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ccard257
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In reply to Ayto Siks • 5:16p, 4/29/17
AG
Bad Ass. That looks like a hell of a good time.
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Ayto Siks
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7:49p, 6/22/17
Did a juvi tarpon stakeout this morning. Barely missed getting this roller in action, but you can see where the fish surfaced.



Only took a few casts of a gurgler to get the first tarpon in the air. Unfortunately, blazing two thermacells only put a small dent in the mosquito swarm. Nearly slapped the sunglasses off my face while trying to simultaneously swat and strip line.

Ended up jumping several tarpon, got two to the leader, and one in my hand. Tried my best to get some eats with the camera, but the mosquito army was relentless. Barely got this tarpon in the frame. Eventually gave up and left the tarpon happy and rolling.

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RickSawyer
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8:43p, 6/22/17
AG
Love the shot of the tea color water with the shiny black back!
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Centerpole90
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In reply to Ayto Siks • 8:48p, 6/22/17
AG
Rockin' itvas usual. Can't wait for the winds to die down so the Gulf flatted A LITTLE and I can go.
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Salt of the water
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5:05a, 6/23/17
AG
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VanZandt92
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1:49p, 6/23/17
I hope to get to Winah Bay South Carolina soon for Tarpon. just caught reds black drum and flounder. Tarpon season coming in August or so I believe.
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Newoldarmy
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10:10a, 6/24/17
AG
Just back from Key West.

Had a couple of beachside shots the first day and no eats. Then the wind blew 50mph, then 30, then 25. Tropical Storm Ruinyourfishingtrip blew through.

My last evening I hooked a 100+ on a fly I tied and fought it for about 20 minutes before the leader wore through. I put a lot of pressure on it and it started to turn some just before the leader cut.

I had kinda forgotten how brutal a really big fish is. Beltline all bruised up, knuckles tore up, whole body feels like I've been in a fight.

The 60-80 pound peer group is more my speed. This fish jumped three or four times early and then just pulled like hell. Of course, I would do it again right now if I had the chance. Really wanted to recover my tarpon bunny.
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Finn Maccumhail
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2:35p, 12/19/17
AG
Just nailed down my days in Florida for July. Bumping this for the resurrection of tarpon talk.

Merely getting the days on the calendar has got me all giddy.

Meanwhile, Ayto is killing us all with his year-round poon chasing antics.
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Ayto Siks
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In reply to Finn Maccumhail • 2:52p, 12/20/17
Where ya headed? Panhandle, Keys? Lemme know if you swing through Fort Myers.

It's in the low 80s today and I have PTO to burn, so I woke up early and tried for some Wednesday poon. Ended up missing two pretty big fish with memorable eats.

The first tarpon rocketed into my megalopsicle with a 6 foot lunge. Never seen one travel that far for the bite. I immediately trout set every inch of line back onto land.

The second fish hit the same way, except head on. I couldn't strip fast enough to get tight to the oncoming fish. Got some pressure, but not nearly enough. I tried stomping the ground to make the fish turn, but it was too late. That probably only works on boat decks anyway.

Caught a small snook and another hefty tarpon followed it in aggressively. Really looked like the tarpon was trying to get to the snooks face. I've caught plenty of small snook around tarpon without any issues. Guess they were just moody today.

A new season of SK starts soon...
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Centerpole90
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3:01p, 12/20/17
AG
Checking this thread from the top of the mountain looking toward Breck- poon is never far from the mind.

Now ima strap back in and send it.

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Finn Maccumhail
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In reply to Ayto Siks • 3:06p, 12/20/17
AG
Ayto Siks said:
Where ya headed? Panhandle, Keys? Lemme know if you swing through Fort Myers.

It's in the low 80s today and I have PTO to burn, so I woke up early and tried for some Wednesday poon. Ended up missing two pretty big fish with memorable eats.

The first tarpon rocketed into my megalopsicle with a 6 foot lunge. Never seen one travel that far for the bite. I immediately trout set every inch of line back onto land.

The second fish hit the same way, except head on. I couldn't strip fast enough to get tight to the oncoming fish. Got some pressure, but not nearly enough. I tried stomping the ground to make the fish turn, but it was too late. That probably only works on boat decks anyway.

Caught a small snook and another hefty tarpon followed it in aggressively. Really looked like the tarpon was trying to get to the snooks face. I've caught plenty of small snook around tarpon without any issues. Guess they were just moody today.

A new season of SK starts soon...

Panhandle.
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Finn Maccumhail
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9:45a, 12/21/17
AG
Six to midnight: Silver Kings: Season 4 Trailer

I'm a tarpon novice compared to some guys on here like BKClark, Teddy Eyeballz, and others but man, tarpon get in your blood. I get all jacked up just thinking about them. I see them in my dreams. Don't get me wrong, the sight of redfish tails waving at me across the flat get me excited but the sight of a giant poon inhaling a tiny piece of fur and feathers, that feeling of coming tight to the fish as you strip-set (and hopefully DON'T FREAKING TROUT-SET!!!), and that split second between the feeling of coming tight and a bomb going off in the water when the fish realizes there's something poking him in the jaw is amazing. Like peeling the panties off the first chick you ever did. And it's that same feeling for me. Every.Damn.Time.

https://instagr.am/p/BJqIwLGBPkH

https://instagr.am/p/BS_GX6VlxLc
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EyeBalz
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In reply to Finn Maccumhail • 12:14p, 12/22/17
AG
You know it's a big tarpon when the fish jumps but can only get half her body out of the water. Cudos to Nathanial Linville and guide Simon Becker for the cool video.


Teddy Eyebalz
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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