You're never too old to learn or re-learn a lesson!

One of the best things about fishing is that there is always something to learn. On my recent fishing trip in the Florida Keys, I re-learned a lesson that I had somehow forgotten (probably due to old age). When in the Keys, my favorite fish to target is the Tarpon. It is big, powerful and a challenge to catch on light tackle or the fly. Especially when fishing from the dock. In this situation, the percentages favor the Tarpon.

Early in the trip, I was very focused on targeting Tarpon (and the Tarpon were winning). Most of the fish were in the 100-pound range and kept breaking me off on dock pilings. It was a humbling experience. After losing yet another fish, I sat down on the dock to compose myself. About then my kids, Elliott and Maddie, walked out on the dock. However, they were not interested in catching Tarpon. They wanted to catch a few Mangrove Snapper for dinner (there are a bunch of Snapper that hang around under the dock and are very easy to catch). Elliott rigged a light tackle rod for Maddie and together commenced to catch dinner. Most of the fish were small but they were having a blast catching them and letting them go. They were having so much fun that I quit targeting Tarpon and began catching Snapper with the kids. It made for a great day of fishing.

Sometimes it is good for fishing to be a challenge. However, fishing should always be fun. If you want your children to become life-long fishing partners, make fishing fun.

Contact Captain Greg Peralta at captgregp@gmail.com or call (843) 224-0099.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
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