A few weeks ago Captain Greg Peterson contacted me through the T.F.M. Facebook page and passed along a few images of him putting the bend in an old Ugly Stik against a heavyweight Florida tarpon. How cool is this?
Greg wrote... "I have really been missing tarpon the last few weeks and was going through pictures. I had an epic day tarpon fishing with friend Brian Jill and with three boated beach fish already we had to do it with a Tibor Gulfstream and an Ugly Stik 10/11 weight fly rod.
One cast and this was the result after an eight minute battle. I ordered three for the crew and re-wrapped stripping guides on the rods after I was three rods down to the bridge for the year and it has come along ever since. The tennis fore grip works nicely with a straight 80 pound leader. The majority of fish never see backing!"
Don't look at that that bend and just figure wimpy stick with no control. One of the great benefits of glass is that you have incredible leverage across the entire length of the fly rod. I've seen it over and over from large trout on a four weight to brute carp on an eight weight. The ability to turn and control big fish on glass is amazing. Keeping a tarpon out of the backing and bringing him alongside the boat in less than ten minutes is certainly further proof.
Greg is waiting the arrival of his own flats boat and will be guiding soon out of the Tampa, Florida area. I am sure that this isn't the last time we'll see his exploits on fiberglass.
Greg wrote... "I have really been missing tarpon the last few weeks and was going through pictures. I had an epic day tarpon fishing with friend Brian Jill and with three boated beach fish already we had to do it with a Tibor Gulfstream and an Ugly Stik 10/11 weight fly rod.
One cast and this was the result after an eight minute battle. I ordered three for the crew and re-wrapped stripping guides on the rods after I was three rods down to the bridge for the year and it has come along ever since. The tennis fore grip works nicely with a straight 80 pound leader. The majority of fish never see backing!"
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Don't look at that that bend and just figure wimpy stick with no control. One of the great benefits of glass is that you have incredible leverage across the entire length of the fly rod. I've seen it over and over from large trout on a four weight to brute carp on an eight weight. The ability to turn and control big fish on glass is amazing. Keeping a tarpon out of the backing and bringing him alongside the boat in less than ten minutes is certainly further proof.
Greg is waiting the arrival of his own flats boat and will be guiding soon out of the Tampa, Florida area. I am sure that this isn't the last time we'll see his exploits on fiberglass.
7 comments:
Cameron,
Would you attempt surf fishing the Pacific with an 8' Eagle Claw Featherlight 5/6 rod? I'll have the chance to at the end of January, debating whether or not I need to buy an 8/9 wt rod for the job.
Daniel...I don't know if I would recommend that...but it might be fun to try. What are you going to be fishing for?
From what I've found from researching, it looks like perch, halibut, croakers, and corbina will be the most common species in the Southern California area. I'm thinking somewhere along the Newport Beach area.
Daniel...what weight fly rods do the local fly shops and guide services suggest?
that is to funny. would love to have been there to see.
Cameron, from what I've read, it looks as though I'd be best served by an 8 or 9 wt rod from the beach/surf/pier.
Daniel...that makes sense. Have a great trip.
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