Not wanting to hijack the heartbreak thread as I seldom get disappointed not landing one. I got to the inlet at 5:15 this morning, went on the jettie with conditions that I love. The incoming tide produces a lack of fisherman, meaning I'm there alone, gotta love it, also fishing the rip is where tarpon a big snook hang out. if more fishermen knew that I would't be alone, lol.

First cast with my windcheater I get nailed by a real nice sized tarpon, the fish starts pulling out drag, so much I had to run after it reeling in line in hopes of not being spooled. I ran from the jettie up and down stairs to the sea wall in the parking lot, maybe 500'+, I still have the fish on, then poof it's gone, got all my line and my lure back. Heartbroken no, elated yes, I had it on the line and in no way could I have lifted up even with my pier net, great thrill and that's what's all about for me. I did have 2 other smaller tarpon on that were landable but they threw threw the hook.

Daylight comes and I go cuda fishing on the other jettie, land 3 about 20" on light tackle, then I hook a blue runner. Before I get the runner in a big cuda cuts the runner in half and I reel up a head. I tossed the head out (I should have put the head on a bait rod with a bait hook and wire leader), cuda comes back and smashes the head, only to cut my spoon off. Landed but 3 dinks, but had a great outing.

Love reading these stories, i always try to talk myself into making an early morning trip to the beach for some surf casting but never do. The one saltwater setup i have needs new line and i need new lures and leader, etc. My bass/snakehead addiction keeps me plenty occupied with my free time, haha. Keep the stories coming! Maybe i'll bite the bullet and head out there as well.

Matt

@mg4u2nv, don't let the lack of lures keep you off the beach. Myself and many people I know only use a few, for the most part I use a spoon and bucktail jig, don't carry much else. If you don't get bit with those 2 lures, there are no fish in the area. I do use other lures, not out of necessity, but just for variation.

I've done quite a bit of snakehead fishing, with limited success, I have a much better handle on saltwater species. Surprises me as I fished freshwater successfully for 50 years before moving down here full time. In fairness to my self I do put way more energy, time and expense into saltwater fishing, it's 2:am and I'm getting ready to go fishing.

Same here. A tiny fly fishing bag with a couple spooks, 3 bucktails, a copper spoon and a leader wheel. And Im always glad when tarpon throw the hook. Lures these days cost too much to be donated to old rock mouth.

And not a single strike today with the identical conditions as yesterday.

its amazing how that happens, how one day can make such a huge difference. I also confuse myself quite a bit when trying to decide what conditions are "ideal". Dawn with the outgoing tide, inshore/offshore breeze, what bait is there, etc. Maybe i just think too much and need to just get out there. Have caught a few small snook and redfish in the way past but never tarpon or cudas. Would love to hear a screaming drag!

Matt

I've noticed that on the outgoing tide the bite seems to be best when the tide change is around dawn, each following day the bite lessens. What ever the tide is doing I'm going anyway, if I wait for ideal conditions I may never get out, lol.

Very true. Its a little harder for me when i have to drop my step daughter off at 8am and i live all the way out by I-75. I'd have to go on a weekend and beg the wife to let me go fishin that early, haha.

Matt