The six (no success…but lots of trying)

The last three days I fished with Captain Doug Kilpatrick for the 3 kg (6 lb) tippet tarpon record. Currently, this record stands at 82 pounds, 8 ounces, and was caught by Stu Apte in 1977.
Over the three days we hooked 7 fish. They ranged in size from around 90 pounds to 130; every one would have beaten the record. We fought them for 25 minutes, 45 minutes, 50 minutes, an hour, an hour and half (the longest I’ve ever fought a fish for), an hour, and 1 minute respectively.
Every fish broke off except the last that threw the hook on his third jump.
I am looking forward to 6 days spread throughout June with Captain Aaron Snell where we will, hopefully, get the chance to pull some more.

In other news, we are lacking a fresh push of fish in Key West and the lower Keys. I mentioned a few times that we were awaiting a new push of fish; we are still waiting. This is not to say that the fishing is terrible–there are some fish around, and people are catching them. However, the large ocean side schools that usually pass by this time of year are slow.

Next week is the Smitty and Al’s Tarpon Bonanza, and as usual TAC is hosting a party for them. If you’re in town, keg gets tapped at 6:30 PM on Thursday 2 June.

Good luck,

Nathaniel/TAC