We all needed a rest from yesterdays grueling efforts when we gave the Jew Fish Basin's sharks some serious agro. It called for some re spooling as we had worn some serious damage on our lines on the reef patches. We haven't lost a single fish through line breakages, which just goes to show how tough the New Fireline braid is.

Robin and I were with Captain Jack on Windy Day and it was still very windy. We had another cunning plan; we opted to fish the last of the incoming tide off Fleming Key for Tarpon. We had two nice Tarpon in the first two hours, which was good considering very few have been caught. The big problem where we fished is that it is among the moored sailboats. Anchor ropes are a major problem and there are more lost than landed in this area.

Robin playing a Tarpon amongst the sailboats

Remember how Captain Jack gave me some stick yesterday regarding my species identification with my Nurse Shark that turned into a Bull Shark? I got my own back today; Robin’s fish never jumped and made all the classic moves of a big Permit.
Captain Jack said it was a permit of monstrous proportions as it went under the first anchor rope. Then it doggedly nodded down the channel. Surprise surprise when it came up it was a Tarpon. I told Captain Jack I would get him a fish identification book. "Yeah right" was the answer.

Robin's Tarpon - Capt. Jack was convinced that it was a big Permit

We then went down to Boca Grande channel hoping for a double option of Shark and Tarpon. Apart from one big nurse shark and a medium Lemon shark it was a waste of time.

Roy playing a Lemon Shark at Boca Grande

I quickly suggested plan C.
That was to race back to our Honey Pot Swim at Fleming and fish the last hour for Tarpon.
We did not get one but had a fish a drop, mainly Lady Fish and snappers.

Our other shipmates were fishing with Captain Chris and opted for some reef fishing.
Plenty of yellow tails but the sharks were a problem eating more than their fair share.
Lemon Geoff is now a fully qualified Shark angler and decided to do battle with a Big Hammerhead. Keith tried to convince him that he was winning, yeah right!!. It was a no contest. A few Lemon sharks, Dolphin and loads of Yellow Tail Snappers made for another good day.

You may think this is all fun and loads of you have e-mailed us telling us how good a time we are having. We are exhausted and wounded. I told my shipmates to pace themselves but they do not listen. This picture is of a collapsed Robin.

It's a hard life being a big fish hunter - Robin takes a wee rest

My other shipmate Keith is wounded. Blisters on his fingers through fighting monsters of the deep. I struggle to get up in the mornings, bones ache and need another couple of hours in bed, but some one has to do it and it may as well be me.

Keith has a blister from playing sharks...Ah Shame !!

Lemon Geoff saw a Manatee in our dock this evening and had his camera with him.
This is one happy Manatee having a drink of fresh water from a hose pipe.

This must be the worst picture I've ever seen of a manatee. They are delightful, docile creatures whereas this one looks like the devil incarnate

Around the dock were plenty of tame Tarpon but apart from feeding them we never fished for them among the boats. With so many obstacles it was pointless and not very sporting. However Lemon had some energy left and picked up his fly rod and had a go.
He skilfully avoided several of the big fish and eventually stuck his fly into a small one about 25lbs.

Lemon Geoff hooked this tiny Tarpon on a fly rod in the dock

You can imagine the pandemonium as Lemon tried to control his fish. I managed a couple of pictures and teammate Robin tried to lift the fish out for a picture. The fish had other ideas and jumped out of the water hitting Robin in the face with a good smack. We all had a good laugh.

Lemon consoles Robin who has just received a smack in the eye from the baby Tarpon