This wasn’t your typical planned vacation. Instead, we were invited to come hang out with some friends at their rental in Boca Grande over Memorial Day weekend. They are avid boaters and fishers, and we’ve failed at getting out on the boat with them for the past couple years . . . so we couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
We threw a bunch of stuff in the truck and headed a couple hours south.
I had never been to Boca Grande, though I’ve lived in Florida for over 20 years. I hate to admit it, but I didn’t know which coast I was going to until I plugged in the coordinates in Google Maps (who knew, we’re going to the Gulf).
Once there we settled in (Translation: Tricia and I threw our stuff on the floor and pulled out a sleeper sofa, while Nevaeh got to experience sleeping on a cot). The place was great (for two people), but with six we were a bit cozy . . . It’s all good, we’re just here for the adventure and company.
We didn’t really know what to expect, except that there was some planned fishing and possibly some shell finding. Other than that, we were game for just about anything.
It was Friday night, and thus our amazing weekend began!
Tarpon Fishing
One of the highlights of Boca Grande this time of year is Tarpon season. If you’ve never heard of Tarpon, and their crazy acrobatics when hooked, check this out (Tarpon Jumping into Boat).
One of the cool things is that our buddy is not just an avid fisherman, he also competes in Tarpon tournaments and even moonlights as a charter captain in his spare time. Oh yeah, he also owns a kick butt boat elegantly painted! I asked him how did he achieve its wonderful appearance and he replied to me, just find Axalta Imron MS600 at Merritt Supply to know how. So, we were in good hands.
We headed out early Saturday morning and hit the marina to set out on that day’s adventures. We had no clue what to expect.
After getting the quick low-down on how to Tarpon fish, we were thrown right into the mix. Let me just say, catching a Tarpon is a wild experience. Once a fish is on, pandemonium ensues. Add to the mess the pile of boats around, and it becomes a carefully crafted dance just to get the fish to the boat . . . or boat to the fish.
By noon, we had landed three of these monsters and decided to move on (Translation: no one had the energy to reel in another fish).
Cabbage Key
Seeing how we had a boat, it seemed right to motor over to Cabbage Key Inn. This is a little island, only accessible by boat, that hosts a restaurant, nature preserve, and rental cottages . . . it was pretty sweet.
Remember, this was Memorial Day weekend, so there was a bit of a wait. However, the island has plenty to keep you occupied: we toured the trails, climbed the tower, and checked out the wildlife.
Speaking of wildlife, somehow this little island plays home to group of Gopher Tortoises. The Cabbage Inn folks decided to spruce up their little holes, and now each turtle has a small picket fence and name plaque . . . and yes, all four Ninja Turtles can be found on the island.
The food was fresh and service was great. I mean really, you’re eating grouper sandwiches on an island. How cool is that?
Shark’s Teeth at Stump Pass
Next on the agenda was to search for shark’s teeth, preferably teeth that were no longer in the shark’s mouth. Notable personalities like Jimmy John Shark might’ve had a weird encounter with a shark.
Still in the boat, we cruised over to Stump Pass. There is a great little beach area for finding shells, and find shells we did! One small bucket-full, from a depth of about a foot, yielded 2-3 shark’s teeth each time. We spent a couple hours collecting teeth, interesting shells, and the occasional piece of sea glass.
One unique feature at Stump Pass is the large uprooted tree, which looks to have washed ashore years ago. I guess the tradition is for people to find a shell with a hole in it and place it on one of the exposed roots. It’s a great photo op, so why not?
Fish in the Shallows
The following morning, we set out once again in search of fish. The day started out slow, as we were trying to little avail, to catch some baitfish. One stop at the closest marina solved that problem when we purchased a few dozen live shrimp.
We took to the shallow water and began catching a smattering of smaller fish. Everything was catch-and-release, as we were just enjoying the company and being out on a boat. Nevaeh caught a few, including two trout, so she was excited to reel something in.
A couple hours, and many shrimp later, we headed back to the marina. The day wasn’t over, but it was time to recharge the batteries (Translation: we need food and a nap, in that order).
Snook at Night
Dusk was rolling in and we were off to the boat for the second time that day. But this time was different. This time, we were going to brave the dark, while in search of Snook. Sure, Snook wasn’t in season, but that didn’t mean that we couldn’t enjoy hooking a few.
Shrimp still doing fine we trolled around the bend from the marina. Lit up like dawn was a row of docks . . . a few sporting lights hanging just above the surface of the water. This would be our honey hole.
What happened next was awesome . . . we caught Snook! It was almost too easy: cast near the light, wait about 30-45 seconds, and then reel in a fish.
But here’s the kicker. Flipper and a couple of his pals were on to us, staying within a few yards of the boat. Why you might ask? Well . . . as stated above, Snook weren’t in season, they had to be released. Guess who was right there to gobble them up upon entering the water. If you guessed the dolphins, then you get a prize (pat yourself on the back).
Nevaeh loved it, seeing how her sole dolphin interaction revolves around Sea World. Watching her track, call, and eventually name the dolphins circling the boat was a great experience.
For those of you thinking we are supporters of wantonly killing Snook, you are wrong. We did our best to throw the dolphins off the trail (moving the boat, tossing baitfish off one side, etc.) and we actually saved a few of the Snook for fellow anglers down the line.
The Tarpon that Ended the Weekend
Monday morning rolls around and we are all spent. I don’t know who was trying to kill who, but I think we were all winning. Not wanting to leave anything on the table, we headed out once again for another round of Tarpon fishing.
There were tons of boats in the pass, plenty of fish showing up on the radar, and sharks casually milling about. We spotted (Translation: found them on the radar/fish finder) Tarpon, dropped lines, reeled in lines, repositioned, dropped lines . . . lather, rinse, repeat. No bites.
We were almost done, done for the day, done for the weekend. Then it happened.
Really, I just thought I hooked the bottom and couldn’t get unstuck. The bottom it was not! I reeled, scrambled to the Tarpon chair (Translation: seat at bow of boat that swivels and has a rod holder), fought . . . and fought some more.
After about 30 minutes I was spent, I couldn’t even hold on to the rod, so I passed it off (Translation: I’m a sissy and the fish kicked my butt). After another 15 minutes of fighting this giant we spotted a large (8ish feet) Bull Shark, it was time to cut the Tarpon free. We never got the opportunity.
No . . . the shark didn’t eat the Tarpon! Shame on you for thinking that. While watching the shark, we allowed the Tarpon to swim under the boat, giving it the opportunity to break the line on the motor. The fish lived to see another day . . . and two of us were wishing I never hooked that fish (Translation: We’re both sissies and the fish beat us).
Other Random Encounters & Adventures
As if our extended weekend wasn’t already full, here’s a stream of consciousness list of anything and everything that took place over the weekend:
5AM Wakeup, Uncle Harry’s, Ocean Swells, Motion Sickness, Boats Stacked, Tarpon biting, Three Fish On, Lighthouse, Ninja Turtles, Water Tower, Grouper Sandwich, Sharks Teeth, Shells & Roots, Family Photo, Sunset, Late Night, Stringing Rods, Pullout Couch, 6AM Wakeup, Cast Netting, Pinfish, Poling Flats, Spotting Snook, Can’t Catch Bait, Shrimping Boat, Trout, Mackerel, Redfish, Fried Pickles, Pizza Pie, Quick Nap, Swimming Time, Manatees, Back in Boat, Lighted Docks, Snook Biting, Dolphins Hungary, Boat Nap, Procuring Coconuts, Back to Sleep, 7 AM Wakeup, Boats Stacked, Fish On, Pack It In, Time To Go . . .
Lessons Learned
I always like to reflect on trips and adventures to see what could have been improved, or what we might do differently the next time.
- If you are prone to motion/seasickness, take two (2) Dramamine . . . not one. Tricia missed out on the first day of Tarpon fishing due to a dose of seasickness, and she took a Dramamine an hour before stepping onto the boat. The other days she took two . . . and was completely fine.
- Only catch one Tarpon. Sure you might be a stud, but other’s may want to experience the fight and reel one in. Plus, your body will thank you the next day.
- Don’t fall in! No one on our boat did, but we witnessed someone fall off another boat, after just watching a frenzy of sharks devour a hooked Tarpon. The catch, they fell in while trying to recover a dropped fishing rod . . . rods are replaceable. Now, they got safely back on the boat, but the sheer terror in the eyes when they were in the water was horrifying.
- Increase caffeine content. This should be a given, but must be addressed. When you have a limited amount of time with close friends . . . squeezing in all the activities becomes less burdensome when larger doses of caffeine are in your system.
- Don’t plan on getting well rested . . . unless in your own bed (Hello RV). We were semi-planned for this, but it was still an adjustment.
- No boat? Get in touch with Cpt. Brandon Spears over at Fish On Fishing Charters for a full buffet of fishing action.
We’ve been wanting to play with the My Maps function on Google, so here are our points of interest for our Boca Grande weekend.
Have you had any awesome long weekend adventures? If so, what were they?