St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2008 - (Page 60) » Bowing to the Silver King On a cloudless day, me and my fishing buddy, Darrell McCullough, anchor just up-current of the 90-foot hole at the north end of Egmont Key. Conditions couldn’t be better: A full moon the previous night, an outgoing tide and a major crab flush taking place. It’s the scene of some of the best tarpon fishing anywhere. battle a big tarpon but light enough to make it a major challenge. Tasty blue crabs float by on the surface, flushed out with the phases of the new and full moons. And the tarpon know when to be here to feast on them. As silver flashes of tarpon dance on the surface, Darrell and I freely drift our hooked crabs with the current behind the boat. In seconds Darrell shouts, “Hook-up” just before I do. With two big tarpon on our lines simultaneously, we both gasp at the jumps and twists before our hooks pull. Back into the water go our lines, and this time I strike pay-dirt. My rod bends like an inverted U, and I hold on for dear life as a silver king foams the water. How magical to witness this Crabs are your best bait for catching tarpon. Tarpon, also known as silver kings, look like an overgrown sardine and reach weights of 200 pounds or more. One of the most prized game fish in the world, tarpon leap, thrash, make long runs and fight like fish twice the size. The pass at Egmont Key pulses with life, and we feel the excitement. Our tackle consists of stout spinning rods strong enough to magnificent animal launching skyward, showering briny drops from the sea. Well over 100 pounds, the tarpon finally comes to boat side. Darrell grasps its mouth, removes my hook, and the fish catapults out of his hands with a burst of energy. What a thrill. We each release two more tarpon – our arms weary but senses ablaze – and point the bow for the marina. Tarpon fishing off of Egmont Key. 60 : It' s a l l a b o u t t h e wa te r
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