Friday, May 31, 2002 Jim Webster

I had the pleasure to fish with a good friend and fisherman, Jim Webster, in South Biscayne Bay today (my old stomping grounds). Some of you may know him as the infamous "Big Jim Slade". Jim called at the last minute Wednesday. I was not booked in the morning, so I met him at the ramp early for little bonefishing.

There was little wind, but the we had cloud cover and a bit of rain. It was not until the end of the tide that we could see well enough not to spook the fish. Jim managed a nice nine pound fish and I a mere six pound tike. We spooked another two dozen fish without getting a shot at them. The conditions were such that we were seeing them just a bit too late for them not to spook..

The highlight of the day had to be the tarpon. It was my turn for propulsion duty on the poling platform, so Jim was on the front of the boat with the fly rod. He had 7 or 8 nice shots at 75-80lb fish. The fish would not eat any of the three patterns he tossed. However, it was still beautiful to watch.

A one point, he tossed the fly into about 20 fish in a daisy chain. One fish turned on the fly, I held my breath waiting for Jim to strip set, but nothing the fish did not eat. None of the ate ... not once. I only wish I had a video camera!!! Next time Jim. Call me again!!

To book a charter with Chokoloskee Charters, call The Captain @
239-682-9920 or
www.ChokoloskeeCharters.com