Charlotte Harbor Tarpon

Robert did say that not all his catches were big, but he emphasized that tarpon are there all year long. I scheduled filming for our television show, ADVENTURES IN FISHING WITH CAPT. RAY KELLY, for June 23-24. We had a very busy filming schedule and these were the only dates we had left. Capt. Robert said he was also busy, but would love to be filmed for the tv show. I also might add at this point, he is an excellent captain and I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to catch tarpon.

I booked a flight on Carnival Airlines into Tampa, rented a car and took a leisurely drive down to Pt. Charlotte, about an hour and forty-five minutes south on Route 75. I was very excited because we had never captured a tarpon on film for the show.

There was a beautiful sunrise that morning and filmed it for the beginning of our show. Robert picked me up at the Harbour Inn dock in Pt. Charlotte. When I boarded his flats boat, he told me that he had seen many tarpon "rolling" in the harbor while he was catching bait. (He had left earlier and cast-netted threadfin shiners, or white baits as they are called.

Capt. Robert sure wasn't lying. As soon as we arrived at the Route 41 bridge, a mere three minute run from the dock, I could see the tarpon rolling. He suggested we try right by the bridge pilings. Robert baited his hook with a lively shiner and within five minutes he was hooked up with a tarpon!

Now, as tarpon anglers know, these fish are not the easiest to land. Once a tarpon is hooked, it usually jumps and runs. On most occasions, these fish win the battle and are lost before being boated.

As soon as Robert hooked up, the tarpon skyrocketed in the air about three times and I thought for sure he would lose it. He played the fish like the pro that he was. He bowed when the fish jumped which is a key point in tarpon fishing. If you don't bow, the tarpon may land on your line and it immediately breaks off. Although, the tarpon was small, I was fascinated by the fight it gave. I couldn't wait until it was my turn. Robert landed the tarpon after about twenty minutes. We photographed the fish and released it. Robert said it was twenty pounds and it measured about 3 feet long. We had our first tarpon on film.

It did not take long until I was hooked up. My tarpon took a flying leap and crashed into the bridge abutment and got off the hook. It made me pretty nervous as I had heard about tarpon jumping right into the boat and I could see how easily it could actually happen!

Not five minutes later, Robert hooked up again. The fish jumped into the air and dove directly under the boat. Immediately, the fish was in the air again crashing into the side of the flats boat. The tarpon won the battle and was off on his own. I was astonished. Capt. Robert said this is quite common. I was just hoping we would land another tarpon to have a nice segment for the show. Sure enough, I hooked up about thrity minutes later, and this tarpon also jumped into the air. However, this time the tarpon avoided both the bridge abutment and the boat. It took me about 30 minutes before Capt. Robert could grab my quarry by its mouth. He lifted the tarpon up and gave it to me to hold. I was proud... my first tarpon!

This tarpon was also about twenty pounds and we released it. I was tired. I couldn't imagine catching a big one, and tarpon are commonly caught over 100 pounds! These fish can also be caught all year long!

It was an experience that I'll never forget. This is a story that will be repeated over and over. Capt. Robert also landed a twenty five pound Cobia during the filming. Cobia are excellent eating and also give a fantastic battle. I would like to thank Capt. Robert Moore for getting involved with ADVENTURES IN FISHING. For a tarpon trip that YOU will never forget, give him a call at (941) 764-1054 or give ADVENTURES IN FISHING a call (516)929-6711 and we will make your arrangements for you.

And remember- "Let's get kids hooked on Fishing...NOT on drugs!"

We welcome comments on this article and suggestions about subjects you would like to read about in the future. Email me at kelly@interport.net, or send your comments to ADVENTURES IN FISHING, PO BOX 531, WADING RIVER, NY 11792 or call us at (516) 929-6711.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR- Capt. Ray Kelly is a licensed USCG charter captain and producer of ADVENTURES IN FISHING, a weekly television show which airs in New York and Massachusetts. Charters are available in Shinnecock Bay and offshore out of Shinnecock Inlet for flounder, fluke, bluefish, weakfish, striped bass, tuna and shark.