Captain's Report - May/June, 2007

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Sharks have become ferocious this week attacking many of the tarpon hooked by anglers. We had numerous bull sharks eat tarpon as they fought for their life. Their attacks are with no other vengeance I have ever seen from any predator in the gulf. Some times even multiple bull sharks have ganged up on one fish tearing it to shreds. I don't want to alarm the coastline of massive amounts are known man-eaters attacking everything on the coastline.

This is an act of nature that has been occurring every summer, since I can remember as a child. The bottom line; tarpon attract big sharks. They are the filet mignon of fish, on any sharks diet.

Once a big shark bites down on a tarpon, it will simply freeze and not move, otherwise the attack would get more aggressive. One of the tarpon this week became lucky using this method of survival, since the giant bull shark swam away after there was no struggle. A few scared scales and the tarpon was on its way.

In the past I have seen smaller baitfish do the same thing while being attacked from cobia and amberjack. Any wiggle or movement will trigger more aggressive attacks. This is why we work artificial lures so erratically, to entice a big fish to eat when they aren't ready.

Captain's Report - May/June, 2007

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Past Captain's Reports