June started off a bit better. With the normal cast of characters plus Heywood we hit the beach Sunday. Round about 0715 my pinfish found a happy school of fish and soon it was tarpon on. I joked to the guys that this was they day cause I left my drift chute at home.
I improvised by dragging my legs over the side of the Versa Board and it worked quite well. About 12 minutes into the fight after a couple of great jumps by the fish a sickening sound was heard. Surprise surprise another Redbone rod broke in half. I continued fighting and within a few minutes the rod continued its self destruction until it was in 4 pieces and I was left with only the reel attached to its seat in my hand.
Well, spinning reels don't work without guides for the line to go through. Who knew? So it's down to hand lining 65 lb power pro without a glove. Rik was quickly by my side when the rod broke and I handed him my reel so I didn't have a pile of line in my lap attached to 80 pounds of pissed off, yet tired fish. I was ready to cut the line when we saw that the fish was really close and opted to try to get her in to remove the hook. We managed to do that as the hook came out without the need of pliers.
She smam away strong and I saw her tail kick the best damn set of shakes I've had in a long time hit me.
I'd like to thank my buddies for all the help. After that rod broke they stuck by me rather than going after the school that we could still see or bother with the flying footballs that were churning the seas around us. Had I been alone the only option would have been to cut the line. I would hate to subject the fish to that.
Oh and if you have any Redbone rods do yourself a favor and give em to the kid own the street. Been through half a dozen of them. It ain't my technique. My St Croix doesn't fail under the sme stress.
Great job though under the circumstances and terrific camera work Bill 