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I believe in Texas Tarpon

August 8, 2012


OK Folks, Ashley here- I'm a believer!  I've been coming to Port O Connor with Brent for a long time. I've never seen anything resembling a tarpon and I started to think it was a myth. Even watching the video of Ryan landing that one on the jetties- I still didn't believe. Sometimes it takes seeing something with your own eyes.  Yesterday proved it to me.

The bay outside the pass had never been calm enough for us to really see any tarpon and this new Beavertail did kinda feel like being on a piece of paper in a swallowing sea- THAT IS UNTIL YESTERDAY!  The conditions were absolutely perfect!  The bay was like glass as we motored right out of the pass, no waves crashing, no holding on for dear life. Our eyes scanned side to side, near and far as we searched for schools of rolling Silver Kings.  We made it to that sunken shrimpboat- it exists! I saw my first tarpon there! He was BIG and rolled 3 feet from the boat and disappeared!  After trying there for a bit we detoured to the Jetties- it was like Tarpon heaven- they were everywhere!  Outside the jetties, they circled and surfaced near the point, prob in the 100lb range. On the opposite side, baby tarpon in the 40-50lb arena surfaced and the water appeared to boil with them. An occassional 10lb tarpon would dart up in the air, putting on quite the show. I casted my arm off, never quite making my destination match my aim. Inside the jetties I was given at least 5 opportunities as they rose directly in front of the boat, maybe 10-15 feet. My heart was racing and I couldn't catch my breath. I couldn't get my fly in the water quick enough and all technique went out the door.  You guys- it was like they were teasing me, flashing that pretty silver side and waving those yellowish fins at me- perhaps even laughing! 

I couldn't have asked Brent to put the boat in better locations. Im sure he was ready to grab hold of the fly rod and get it done himself, but he was patient and kept drifting perfectly again and again. I had every possible chance I could ask for. While I am definitely bummed that I wasn't able to catch a one, I am actually more excited that I finally saw Texas Tarpon with my very own eyes. I dreamt all night about my perfect cast and I am pumped for another round of yesterday!  

You need to see for yourself! 

Tarpon Special  August through September Only

Full Day for 2 Anglers with lodging  $500.00

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