Fishing the jettie at about 5:AM this morning on the incoming tide I get only 1 strike and it was fish on.  Knew exactly what it was on the first of about 6 jumps, a tarpon.  I handled the fish well on my 8' Okuma mh inshore rod and a Cabo 40 reel using 20# braid and 40# leader, 1/2 oz Storm wild eyed shad.  I get the fish turned and making good headway to beach it, but then the tarpon made some other plans, by swimming in the inlet.  Being near a full moon the inlet was close to top speed, current maybe about 10 knots, so I had to run it down to get to the seawall about 150 yds away.  Drop my pier net only to discover the fish is too big for the net and I could not have lifted it anyway by myself, at that point I had no choice but to break it off.  A photo op would have been nice, but after reviewing the new tarpon rules when I got home a 40"+ tarpon must by law remain in the water. Ya just never know when a game warden is going to show up, it isn't worth it. There were news crews, police and federal authorities all over the place this morning, illegals had beached a boat.

That is awesome!!!  I really wish you could have taken a pic but you did the right thing on all counts.

Well if i ever make it down your way i would be happy to take a pic or two assuming you let me fish with you