We were Tarpon fishing around Bokeelia last Wed. Running out of Burnt Store to deeper water I noticed some fish up on the surface. As I turned my boat back around we came up on a mind blowing scene of dozens of Black Drum. On Nino’ s third cast we hooked into this great fish.
The fight I timed at 1 hour 27 minutes. On our 12th try to leader him I used my tarpon lip gaff to subdue him by his lower lip at boat side and was able to lift him aboard for the photo and then his release. The fly was a Enrico Puglisi black and purple, fly rod was 12wt Sage.
Fly Fisherman: Nino Spiga from New Jersey
Catch: Black Drum 44 lbs 8oz
Location: Charlotte Harbor