The wind didn’t subside last night at dark like “normal” wind does. Instead it got stronger. This morning we awoke to a steady 25 MPH blow. It appears Hurricane Iota tearing through Central America to the south is a category 5 and we’re getting the fringe of it here in Mexico. Instead of battling the elements on the flats we went to the more sheltered Tarpon Lagoon.
Jerry and I had a fun day in Tarpon Lagoon last year and I had no doubt we’d have another. Yeah, it was still going to be windy but not so bad we couldn’t fish. And in fact, wind might help keep down the mosquitos. The lagoon has plenty. After a 45 minute drive down Punta Pájeros Island road we found ourselves easing our way through the mangroves to the rich snook and tarpon waters in the small stashed boat.
It didn’t take long for something amazing to happen. I didn’t get a photo because it happened fast and I was trying not to get killed. As we entered one of the mangrove tunnels, short cuts that have been cut out through the swamp over years of fishing, we had a head-on collision. A head-on with a 60lb tarpon.
The tarpon jumped high and exploded over the bow of our boat. Luckily he was angled just enough to my right that he didn’t hit me in the face. Instead he went into the tightly woven mangrove roots. He literally got stuck, suspended three feet out of the water in the mangroves.
The tarpon wiggled violently with his beating tail inches from my head. I ducked as branches snapped left and right. His thrashing slowly slipped him down into the water. This all happened in less than ten seconds and he was gone. Holy crap that was a close call to getting hurt bad!
The tarpon were here alright and Jerry and I had plenty of shots throughout the morning. It wasn’t easy to see them unless they rolled. The sun disappeared by 10 AM and we fished under gray clouds and scattered showers. But enough tarpon rolled that I put two babies in the air before they spit the fly.
There was also a snook of large proportion. It was moments after Pato mentioned we were in a good snook spot. Sure enough I spotted one cruising the mangrove edge. I got off a good cast and he charged and ate the fly. Game on!
Last year I lost a heartbreaker of a snook at the side of the boat. This fish was as big if not bigger and I was poised to make no mistakes. Lucky for me I had a leader made of 6 feet of straight 60lb Fluorocarbon. I applied max pressure and kept him out of the mangroves. But then, just as I reach over the side of the boat to land him it happened again. The snook made a last jump and spit my fly back in my face. Nightmare!
The last hour of our day the sun came out and the wind rested. We’d learn later it was the calm before the storm but for now it was nice. Fishing however seemed dead. Jerry kicked back and I blind casted endlessly to the edge of the mangroves as Pato polled us along. It looked as though Jerry and I were about to take a blank for the day when out of the blue I hooked and lost another tarpon.
At first I couldn’t believe it. It was the fourth fish hooked and lost for me of the day. But before I even had time to get pissed at myself, another tarpon rolled. I launched a fast cast and in one strip he was on. This time I hooked him good – right through the top of his mouth.
I landed the gorgeous baby tarpon. Jerry clicked of some fantastic photos and then I released him. Whew I thought. That little tarpon saved the day!
There was a mere 15 minutes left in our day after the release and unfortunately no more fish to be found. There was another highlight though. We had another head-on just as we entered the last mangrove tunnel before reaching the truck. This time it was with about a 7 foot saltwater crocodile. Thank god he went under the boat and then jumped instead of over us again!
We just finished up yet another wonderful dinner here at Casa Blanca Fishing Lodge. There’s no chance of fishing under the dock light. The wind is now up to 30 MPH and its pouring rain. Fishing tomorrow is doubtful if you can trust the forecast. Stay tuned.
While I’m chasing some fish around the flats of Mexico and unable to load my blog, let me remind you to visit my webstore for “Gifts for the angler that has everything”!
My high quality frosted beer steins
Men’s and women’s 100% polyester Solar Shirts that provide 50+ UPF sun protection
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Bigger and more durable than ever – my fish art decals!
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