Big one gets caught twice.

mjrudd1 · June 2018

I enjoyed a week of tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay again this year. Fishing and weather were great. One of the medium sized tarpon wore down quickly, released in about 15 minutes, but he wasn't free for long. As I was resting afterward, I heard a splash and looked around to see a significant sized hammerhead trying to catch him about 100 yards away. I quickly pedalled over and got the second catch on my Gopro - looked better in person but still not bad on video. The shark sat on the bottom under my yak for awhile - in retrospect I should have put my camera underwater and might got a better view but it was about 20' down with an outgoing tide so, maybe not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YDUJ60okVI

John McKroid · June 2018

Congrats on your catch. Sad to see sharks take out a fish that is still recovering from a release.

mjrudd1 · June 2018

John McKroid said:

Congrats on your catch. Sad to see sharks take out a fish that is still recovering from a release.

I agree, I don't like it to happen. Or have them take my fish before I land them, which happens much more often for me. Jacks, snook, trout, drum, gafftops, etc. Even once reeled in just the head of a lizardfish that had hit my gold spoon in a couple feet of water. This is the first tarpon I've had eaten that I'm aware of, before or after release. Salves my conscience to remember big sharks were following and eating their share before fisherman starting fishing the schools and making some of them easier prey, although it took awhile for this guy to get caught. I have to say, it was cool to watch up close and personal instead of on TV during shark week. I much prefer catching sharks to helping them by tiring a fish out.