Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
June 6, 2004
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
POWER AND PUNISHMENT, IT FEELS SO GOOD.
That’s what a Tarpon means to me. When the “burn” starts in your arms and back it feels so very good. The mighty Silver King, reigns supreme!
But if this is your first saltwater fish and first sport fishing experience, now that’s something you’ll never forget. Just as it was for Nick Lewis, home just two months from the war in Iraq. This young Mississippian serving in the USAF, (also my service of choice....51st Security Police Squadron, Law Enforcement, Osan Air Base Korea was my overseas USAF tour) I sort of felt a kinship with Nick. But we weren’t at war then.
I worked as hard as any fishing guide could to make this day as right as I could. Chris, Nick’s brother booked the trip with me for June 3rd, and I had planned on a Tarpon trip. If all else failed we’d catch some sharks while chumming and work these boys arms real good. But as fate would have it, I cast my net for Pogies till my hands were blistered to only come up with a ¼ of a fish basket after 30 tosses of the net. We needed a lot of Pogies, some for my chum chopper to produce a greasy slick and some to float on the surface to get a chum line going. But with only about 10 pounds of Pogies after 2 hours of trying, I needed to come up with a better plan. So we ran to some shrimp boats to purchase some by-catch to use as “floaters” and baits. Luck would have it, I spotted a shrimper working close to the inlet and ran straight to this friend of a friend, who runs this small shrimp boat. “Commander Ed”, as he is known, hooked us up big time with about 200 pounds of prime chum.
Off we ran to a spot that matched what tide it was after getting the chum. Last of the incoming and first of the falling tide. It was “do or die” for Cappy Dave. In the back of my mind I wanted Nick to hook up to a ‘poon badly, but kept my sentiments to myself. Fishing guides don’t wear their thoughts on their sleeves. Cause if a plan doesn’t come together, it’s just called “fishing”. If it does, then it’s time to rejoice.
We pulled up to Tarpon central. Everything was right. As the tide slowly turned a rip line formed, and behind it was a rolling mass of Pogies. B-A-I-T.....was everywhere! And as the Pogies started to roll out of this area, so did the Tarpon.
I love seeing them, cause when I do my stomach gets all jittery. I guess that feeling is sort of a condition of knowing, what could happen next.
I chummed with the by-catch and churned the Pogies in my Braid Chum Chopper mounted on my boats transom. We had live food swimming swimming by the boat, a chum slick of the same and a line of small floating dead fish streaming behind the boat. IT WAS GO TIME!
Our first strike was a Shark of unknown size or origin. Chris grabbed the rod as line smoked off the Accurate twin drag, and just like a Shark, the fish turned and headed full steam back to the boat. But the Mason Hard Type Nylon leader gave way as the teeth got the better of it. Then the other reels drag cut loose, and that’s all she wrote. The Magnum 8 foot, G. Loomis rod bowed in the rod holder and I helped Nick get it out against the immense pressure exerted by the eight pounds of drag set to drive the 9/0 circle hook home. I looked out behind the boat and saw what summer dreams in N.E. Florida are made of, a giant of a Tarpon leaping clear of the water with a white water shower as it landed.
TARPON, TARPON, TARPON, I announced to friends over my Nextel walkie-talkie, that knew we were on the hunt for the first silver gladiator of the season. I coached Nick, and had Chris drop off the anchor on the buoy that was pre-rigged for a under power pursuit.
Nick was now on the bow and he gathered line as I followed the fish. Remember, this is his first saltwater fishing experience. Nick followed directions like a good soldier should, cause I probably sounded like a drill Sergeant he had back in boot camp. The fish had only jumped twice as it was hooked, and did not give us any violent leaps, which was a good thing. The fish just kept a steady pace eastward. I’ve had 110-pound Tarpon, and behemoths in the 140-pound range that did not have the will to live that this fish had. Strong was an understatement. And after the first 30 minutes Nick started to feel a serious “burn”. Personally that’s when I fish smart not hard. But experienced anglers know when to turn on the heat. This was a heavy Tarpon, and Nick was in the heat of battle with not a lot of classroom study beforehand.
In the second 30 minutes we were now a mile from where we dropped anchor. Nicks arm started to shake a bit, but with his brother and I encouraging him, he stayed focused. I said, “this is one mean --- fish, brother..... I want to see this fish roll over and surrender before I lip gaff it and haul this one to the boat for a photo.” So as the fish tiered and the leader came out of the water I went for it, so I thought. “Whoa....No...”, the Tarpon came up and with those big eyes looked at me and took back it’s head as I grabbed the leader as this big bronco slapped it’s tail at me and dove head first under the boat. I didn’t want to risk pulling the hook so I let go.
This happened a few more times, but the 3rd time was a charm. I grabbed the chaffed leader and sunk the lip gaff in to its bottom lip.
Managing a Tarpon is much like picking up a largemouth Bass, but at the same time, not really. Cause Bass don’t weigh 100 pounds or more. And can’t kick a 260 pound Captains butt. But the similarities are that if the fishes weight is applied to the lower jaw while on the hand gaff, you have a chance of gaining control.
I lifted the fish up on the side of the boat, checked for any freakishness by letting it dangle there a few seconds and then into the boat it came. We quickly snapped some photos, took the 9/0 circle hook out of the corner of its jaw and then came the moment of truth.
I say the moment of truth cause when I tell you how much a fish weighs you can take it to the bank. I do not play the “estimate game”. I hate that. Just the facts please? Too many people throw big numbers around like it’s a given, that they are perfect judges of the weighs of all fish. Not me. I had the 100 pound scale ready, if it was over 100, then it would be measured and estimated by Length x Girth divided by 800, which would give us the best approximate weight.
I jumped up on the cooler, put one foot on the gunnel and hung the fish by the scale for a second and the tattle-tale registered 95 pounds! That’s the way you weigh a big fish. Brute strength, not wild imagination! I believe in “show me”.
Nick was exhausted. But he knew every minute was worth it. His first sport fishing adventure, and one he’ll never forget. I get just as excited too. I love having people on fish of a lifetime be it a giant trophy Redfish, or a spool stripping Shark, or a Silver King. To me that’s what I’m being paid for. It’s the world of Disney. But this ain’t make believe. This is true-life, man against Mother Nature’s best creations.
I won’t ever forget Nick and Chris. They were both true sportsmen, and a pleasure to have aboard the For Reelin II.
Tarpon are special here in N.E. Florida. They aren’t just a daily commonplace, as they may be in south Florida. But then again, I’d love to fish for them daily, 12 months a year, cause they are #1 on my most respected fish list. And I think Nick Lewis will agree.
To reserve your Tarpon charter in the Jacksonville/Amelia Island area, call in advance 2 weeks to 30 days.
Plan ahead. So I can plan for you.
SIZE DOES MATTER,
Capt. Dave Sipler
Host of "ALL ABOUT FISHING"
WNNR am970 Sports News Network
Saturdays at 7am
www.captdaves.com
904-642-9546
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