Occasionally we have one of those golden days of guiding which will eventually pass into charter captain lore. This past week Capt. Peter had such a day, and I thought the description and pictures from the trip merit an exclusive report. The following was written and directed by Capt. Peter. Read, imagine and enjoy.
A highlight of Capt. Peter’s week was a trip with a great fishing couple, Kurt and Lorie. Their mission is to fish in all 50 states and enjoy all of the many species of fish America has to offer. While in Florida, they fished with Capt. Peter for two days. The objectives of the first day were to fish in the ocean along the beaches for kingfish and cobia and then return to the River for trout and redfish. However, due to windy conditions, we decided to stay inshore and take advantage of the great river fishing. Kurt and Lorie got the best of four redfish and two nice trout – including both Lorie and Kurt’s best to date. They fished the clear waters near the islands and on the flats with live mullet in the Banana River.
The second day was one of those very special fishing experiences that will be unforgettable for Kurt and Lorie. Capt. Peter took the duo on a late spring, creek fishing adventure – a very special type of fishing which is unique to our area. The goal for this half-day of fishing was to land a shark, a giant jack Crevalle, and a tarpon. By sight-fishing in the narrow, picturesque mangrove-lined creeks that feed freshwater into to the Indian River Lagoon system, both Kurt and Lorie tamed many different types of gamesters that inhabit this diverse area. The two highlights for Capt. Peter was watching Kurt’s 33 inch snook inhale a live pogie off of the surface only feet from the boat and assisting Lorie muscle in a 50 inch tarpon which inhaled her baitfish before its dozen other tarpon friends could. Lorie’s tarpon battle was especially interesting in that it took place within creeks only as wide as the boat, jumping up into the trees, and dragging the anglers up and over sandbars, stumps, and trees. Lorie deserves credit for the skill she showed in landing her tarpon. The fishin’ couple’s final tally for the day included bull sharks, tarpon, snook, giant jack Crevalle, massive gar, and, of course, the usual “less desirables”.
(Editor’s addendum: I cannot imagine a finer representation of authentic backwater fishing for the State of Florida for Kurt and Lorie’s quest to fish all fifty states in the USA. Perhaps Alaska could top this day but it would be hard. Great job of guiding Captain Peter!)
