Off to a Roaring Start with Texas Tarpon

I AM KELLY GROCE, native Texan and water lover. I have been addicted to fishing since I was a child, and it is all my father’s fault. My most fond childhood memories are ones of me and my family offshore fishing on the Grady White. So much that my mother started to worry I was not going to make many friends because we were always out in the Gulf.

I began combining my passion for fishing with creative writing and photography while attending college at the University of Houston. I am very humbled by this opportunity to write for Texas Fish & Game Magazine and will work hard to supply you with quality content to enjoy. So, let’s start with where my head is currently at: tarpon.

Built big and bad, tarpon will literally fight for their own life until their death. They have been on planet earth for over 100 million years and can live to be around 80 years old. No wonder this prehistoric fish is spoken about so highly and with so much game.

Out of all the fish I heard about growing up, tarpon was the one that intrigued me the most. My great aunt, Bea Milsapps, won the Deep Sea Round Up (originally called the Tarpon Roundup) with two huge silver kings back in 1959.

I’ve read numerous articles about people’s strenuous battles with tarpon and even stayed at the Tarpon Inn in Port Aransas, Texas where hand sized scales dating back to the ’30s decorate the lobby walls. From the old salts at the docks to my father’s fishing buddies, everyone respects the king. 

I got my first glimpse into the world of the almighty tarpon by fishing off South Padre Island, Texas last summer with Capt. Brian Barrera. It was one of those days where everything aligned. Calm, green seas with pelicans diving into huge visible bait balls off the beach.

We set out perfect-sized menhaden drifting off the back of the boat. It was deliriously hot, and all you could hear was the ocean slapping up against the hull of the boat.

The silence was quickly interrupted by what sounded like a boulder being dumped into the water followed by screaming drag. A 180-pound poon inhaled one of the baits and took off charging like a bull that saw red.

Capt. Barrera started up the motor and chased down the fish with the boat as I reeled in fast as possible to catch up with it. This monster took me out to deeper water and then back to the sand bar about four times.

There was a chance or two where I got to stare at the tarpon by the boat. My lord! I was in total awe. My adrenaline was at an all-time high, I could feel the slack in the line which meant the fish was about to jump.

Before I knew it, the monster came blasting out of the water violently shaking its enormous head and broke my thick leader. I sat on the cooler for what felt like an hour in pure silence. I was happy, sad, excited, tired and mad all at the same time. 

About two hours later, with the same set up, we jumped five more 150+ pounders. After an incredible yet heartbreaking day, I completely understood why anglers become obsessed and downright crazy for chasing big tarpon. The roller coaster of highs and lows that these silver kings sent me on, left me wanting more.

Shortly after that trip, I caught a juvenile tarpon that helped take the pain away. But I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have replayed that first jump in my head over and over again.

Summer into fall is the time for chasing big, migratory tarpon. Knowing what to expect this time around, tarpon season could not get here fast enough.

Capt. Barrera and I recently had the day off and the winds were light, so we decided to check out the jetty. We slow-cruised past the tip and saw several rolling tarpon.

There were tons of crabs and schooled up finger mullet swimming along with the tide. We cast our 1-ounce D.O.A. Baitbusters out and let them sink down below the big schools of bait followed by a steady retrieve.

We were surrounded by feeding poons. It just so happened that I had decided to get my camera out when Capt. Brian hooked up to a 30 pounder. Silver as all get out, this tarpon put on an awesome spectacle for us as I snapped the shutter.

Putting in blood, sweat and tears, Capt. Brian Barrera has been chasing and studying tarpon for years. These fish can do a number on your mental state.

When Brian hooks up to one, it is incredible to see him reap the rewards of all his hard work. No matter the size, catching a Texas tarpon is an accomplishment, and the chase makes it all that much more rewarding.

 

Email Kelly Groce at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

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