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Heywood
Moderator
257 Posts |
 Posted - 05/17/2007 : 4:07:58 PM
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Read the following from Shane Edgar (Cubs83), one of the best kayak fishermen around.
Telling a story to possibly deter others...
Launched off of Sanibel this morning and found a nice happy bunch of tarpon with a bunch of boats (20?) that have already found them. Threw a DOA Baitbuster (rootbeer) at them and got a monster on within a few minutes. Hand him off to a buddy, Ben...he fights it for over a half hour.
Now comes the crazy part...the fish looks like he will soon be tired and ready to be landed for a quick photo op. I take a look behind me and I see the mass of the back half of a large shark protruding from the rear of my kayak. After screaming to cut the line the 12' Hammerhead (underexaggerated)(I want to say it was 13-14' long, but that would be a realistic guesstimate) starts doing figure 8's under me and bumping my kayak with his dorsal two or three times. Meanwhile the tarpon is safe using Ben's kayak as shelter. I start to paddle away to get away from the tarpon and the monster hammer follows me for a good 25 yards. Imagine it like a scene straight out of a movie. The hammer was wider than my kayak (31" width...three foot wide hammer?)...
The tarpon got away, no one was hurt. Scariest day of my life. I truly thought I was a dead man.
I've done some "adventurous/foolish" things before, but I will not be near a hooked tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico in a kayak ever again. Last year an 8' Bull got one yakside...fool me once shame on you...fool me twice shame on me...
"It couldn't happen to me"
I'll stick to the shallow Sound and Caloosahatchee River for my large tarpon fix.
  
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shallowrider
Junior Member
91 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2007 : 4:17:39 PM
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| I'm always looking to see if there are sharks around or dolphin and manatee. I think any of them could capsize us if they wanted to. What else is out there Heywood? lol I'm still new to this area fishing. Oh the gators. I remeber I saw a gator down at chokoloske. He wasn't very big but there he was or maybe it was a crock? Has there been any whales messing with us kayakers? |
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Shep
Junior Member
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2007 : 4:29:12 PM
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Does not sound like a fun time. If my wife reads this, I'll probably never have to get rid of my yak! LOL
Yakfisher in training with a Redfish12 |
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Chandler
Beginning Member
31 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2007 : 5:03:42 PM
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wow thats a crazy story!! i have never caught or fished for tarpon but me and my dad want to try it out on his boat soon. If anyone who knows how wants to go out with us just let me know. =D
 
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shallowrider
Junior Member
91 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2007 : 5:23:43 PM
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Throw a DOA Baitbuster (rootbeer) at them
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Shadowcast
Junior Member
USA
97 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2007 : 11:25:40 PM
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I am still going to go for it. You have to remember, Shane fishes off the beaches of Sanibel and around Boca Grande where there are huge concentrations of tarpon. With that you are bound to have run in with sharks. I guess it could happen up this way, too....but the thought of raising a 150#er off the yak is too much to pass up.
It's only $25.00. If you fish inshore anywhere in Florida, you have NO EXCUSE not to belong to CCA!
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swamprider
Beginning Member
42 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2007 : 9:06:47 PM
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| I have to agree with John - I will be out there too. I know Shane is an awesome fisherman. But we always run the risk whether its dolphins, manatees, sharks, or errant boaters. None of us will know because we wern't there. But all accounts say that when a big shark shadows you the WORST thing you can do is paddle to get away from them we look just like a surfer then. Stay still let them pass and most important keep a cool head. |
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Chandler
Beginning Member
31 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2007 : 03:37:51 AM
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you know im game....just let me know when and where!
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Shadowcast
Junior Member
USA
97 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2007 : 09:50:20 AM
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Besisdes, what do you think our stake out poles are for......scratching our rear-ends??? Stick 'em!!!
_________________
Capt. Jon Bull
It's only $25.00. If you fish inshore anywhere in Florida, you have NO EXCUSE not to belong to CCA!
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For those that want to tarpon fish
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