Do you remember those giant lollipops that lasted all day? Or maybe the giant sourballs grandma brought for you when she visited? With a swirl of your tongue against the candy or your cheek and palette, those bold confectionaries filled your mouth with a kind of never-ending flavor that was positively satisfying. This morning's fishing has created the same effect on my mind and angler's soul.
As to the source of such continued sweetness, the Willie Wonka factory was a river in western Fort Lauderdale. I journeyed there to anticipate the inshore movements of tarpon towards the warmer backbays during an unfolding cold front. As the sun rose, the sight of countless tarpon rolling was truly a mouth-watering excitement.
During the next three hours, all I had was one take-but that's all it took for a glory morning. As I struck the fish on ten-pound tackle, the line rose up in the water column and culminated in a huge fish of over a hundred pounds almost clearing the surface. I was cautious in the battle and an hour later -after all kinds of tarpon tactics- the fish was alongside for release. Some quick measurements and computations put the fish closer to one hundred-twenty pounds: a " Twelve-Times Fish."
As the sun sets today on what is sure to be a cold night, the flavorful images stay strong and sweet.
Jan
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