Sunday, 4/10/11 … recalling the day Hank tried to jump (on) a tarpon

We are heading out again this morning looking for tarpon, but I thought I would post a video on the site.

Hank, my labrador retriever,  usually joins me on the boat and has become quite the experienced and knowledgeable fisherman and companion.  Hank has become a bit jaded in terms of “small fish” and usually just keeps sleeping (with the exception of ladyfish which he likes to lick – how he knows it is a ladyfish and not a trout, spanish mackerel, etc. is a mystery).

Hank really only gets motivated when he hears the shark rod reel ticking and he knows something big is on the line.  He loves getting involved in big game fishing and barking at tarpon and sharks.  Last spring, he became so excited while I had a tarpon on the line that he decided to take control of the situation and jump in the water on top of the tarpon.  This is not the best idea and is not encouraged.  Where there are tarpon -there are sharks.  No worries – we quickly fished Hank out and he came out of this adventure in good shape:  Labrador jumping on tarpon.

We are now careful to tie hang up once we hear that shark reel moving.  Here is a video of a bull shark Charlie, a buddy of mine, caught and released a couple weeks ago.  Apologies is advance for the poor cinematography:  bull shark caught and released of Captiva .

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ call 239-472-8658 or email captjoefred@gmail to book a charter.