Date: February 15, 1994
Time: 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Species: Barracuda
Key West, Florida
Water Temp/Time: Air Temp/Time: 75º high

Peak Activity for this day:

Hastily arranged trip with Cpt. ? of “The Avocet” (see yellow pages, Key West, Fla). Thoroughly professional, though, sets me up with 10 wt. thomas & thomas rod, abel reel, clear sinking line, steel tippet and a needlefish imitation. Head due east a mile or so to flats. Real windy, but pretty amazing – see lemon sharks, nurse sharks, manta rays, and yes, barracuda. What’s more, I actually hook up with 12 lb. cuda, briefly, but awesome power. Miss a 20 lb’er. Later, guide says put client into a 143 lb. tarpon at this spot in May, 2003. He guarantees tarpon in May or June! $200.00 U.S. but well worth it – a good effort by the guide in tough conditions.

Note: Recall action of the cuda when I stop stripping the needlefish – he stops dead. Start stripping again (as per Capt’s command!) and boom.