BULL BUSTING R HERE AGAIN -the bridges are hot!!

The bridge is once again a special place for the disciples in March and April .All the old time sharkers familiar with our shark fishing history in the Florida keys bridges know what I'm talking about .What we expierience on the better warmer years on these bridges in spring is big sharks; many big enough and able to dump a 14/0 with 130 lb test line.Our big shark history made on the bridges in springtime over the decades has always been a source pride for many hardcore SFSC members. It is the most anticipated time of the year for us and was the inspiration for The Big Hammer Challenge Shark Tournament.Every year come January and February we are full of anticipation of things to come during the spring run of monster sharks flowing through the bridges .We are drawn back like fiends going back for the annual dose of azz kicking big sharks that show up year after during this season to wreck our gear .Ask any South Beacher or older SFSC member what March and April means at the keys bridges and they'll gladly tell you masssive bulls and giant hammers.Not every year is spectacular but when it's a warmer then normal winter we can expect a hot early bite that last well into May and even early June,By the looks of things and the big sharks allready being caught on the bridges this will be a superb and classic bridge big shark year.Some arrive early and snag rays and catch cudas on freelined moonfish,pinfish or even catch them in the nearby flats on tube lures.Still others employ the long tradition of picking off the discards at the charter boat docks mostly in Islamorada the three main ones being Holiday Isle,Whale Harbour and Bud and Mary's .Plenty of amberjack,tuna and cudas are usulaly available for sale or discarded in the garbage that we gladly and without shame grab for our traditional BRIDGE MONSTER fishing.


Big Will learned early on from Rene de Dios that getting big baits out during spring time meant "luring in monsters"

we prepare our big baits for the gaff chumer and for our hooks

Last week we caught one blacktip,missed a few more and caught a nurse shark at Long key outgoing tide .We travel fairly light trying to catch the incoming tide at one bridge then rushing over to catch the outgoing tide at another-in and out military special forces style.Fighting fatigue and lack of sleep many times we have to push ourselves to get out of the sleeping bag to go catch the next tide unfishable from the bridge we are on.

Two days ago we decided to catch the 7pm to 1 am incoming tide at the 7 mile bridge.I met up with my cousin big Will and his Team mates Varune, and Shawn .Fishing on the flats big Will snagged a hubcap sized sting ray before sundown and that would be the bait that would entice his big bull on this night.I had three freshly caught cudas for bait brought down from the charter boats in Miami.

Big Will gets hooked up on fierce shark that is taking his line with ease

The shark cuts right sharply and Will follows thinking maybe a hammer has got his ray and is shooting right and under

Big Will does a fine job to stay with the fish and soon we see the big female pop up on the surface 50 yards out in front of the bridge.We then see it as it gets closer in the light it looks to be huge ,plenty healthy and trying to swim under the bridge but Will powers the muscular gray torpedo back up and then the shark takes off to the left and back out but when Will tries to chase the shark down the bridge the hose that keeps the rod safe from the rail twist and a loud scratching noise is produced as the rod is scrapes the abrasive cement.Ouch!!!A five inch long groove has gone deep and even ripped into the intricate diamond rap.Will is pissed off now but still running sidewayds to stay with the shark.Some are guessing 8ft 6 or slightly bigger I say 8'3 or 8 '4 .Shawn and Will decide to walk the shark down to the end of the bridge for accurate measurements and a few quick pics.The walk is vey long and tiring but these two seasoned sharkos have all the stamina and know how to get it done as painlessly as humanly possible .Will and shawn leave heading left down the bridge and Varune and myself are left to hold down the fort in the absense.We have to wait over an hour and a half before they return with pics,measurements and in Will's case scraped knuckles and a bruised ego-this very strong bull shark 8 ft 3 inches has left some deep battle scars on this otherwise perfect condition shark rod.

she show herself

the big healthy female bull shark is subdued and takes a rest behind the century old bridge piling

Big Will and his hard fighting bull ,finally up close

Will and Shawn work the bull shark into the shallow water next to the mangroves for a quick mesurement(tape in hands)not a very good pic but it will do

morning has arrived and the tide has ended and the rain starts and chases off the otherwise empty bridge

The rain and the lack of sleep follow us home .Sleep deprivation sometimes plays havok on my mind and emotions and the Reb Bull is not enough to keep me fully awake .On this day I see my father dead on his deathbed and my brother crying ,lying down next to him, I hurt physicly and strained mentally ,,,,,,,,wake up!!!!! keep your eyes on the road ,think happy thoughts ,you have to think of all things positive ,,,stay awake.Run always running.