The targeted species "Tarpon" The day started at 1500 by cruising for pass crabs in Bunces Pass. I like netting crab there while the tide is at a stand still and it keeps me off the Tarpon grounds out by Egmont Island. Once we got our live well filled with pass crabs, we motored out of Bunces Pass and into the Gulf of Mexico and made our way to the North East side of Egmont Island. The tools of choice I use when "drifting" for Tarpon: Shimano Bait Runner 6500 with a 9ft. Shakespeare Ugly Stick with 50lb. test Power Pro with 100lb. fluorocarbon Leader. #7 Gamakatsu circle hook. and a live pass crab! The out going tide was just picking up and after several passes in front of the island "drifting" I got my first hook up and only hook up for the day! The battle lasted for a good 20 min. with lots of drag screaming, rod bending, Tarpon leaping action! Unfortunately when I got the Tarpon by the boat and reached for the DNA test/research kit to scrape the fishes jaw for some samples, that Tarpon did a nasty head shake. Yep, she was gone! She put up a good fight though!
Egmont Key Island link with great photos of the Island and light house!
http://www.beachhunter.net/egmont_key.htm
A great organization, Egmont Key Alliance! Dedicated to the protection and preservation of Egmont Island ! I am on the board of this organization so for more info. Email me or become a member!
http://egmontkey.org/
