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Chasing the beast -12 sharks including 2 TIGERS

william · 2009-08-08T16:44:26Z

As usual we're always planning our next trip to find some new and fabulous place to catch the next monster shark and when the opputunity presented itself to meet up with a website friend and ILSFA Mako shark world record holder Ernie Polk we could not pass up the chance to finally meet and fish with Ernie and his crew.My buddy Kenny and I loaded up the Toyota with all the gear and bait the little 4 cylinder truck could hold and headed out to our next great adventure.The cooler was so heavy loaded with fresh bait(bonitas,cudas,jacks) that when i went to lift it onto the back of the truck it was on my third try that i finally was able to get it high enough to slide into the bed.Thank God the 3rd person that was supposed to go cancelled because we had no space left in the bed after loading it all. That same butterflies that visited me as a young teenager every time i set out to explore and fish new places were now with me as we headed out to our destination,,,,,,,,,what a high!!!!! A glorious morning and the start of another great odysey Big Kenny at the wheel the long drive had many beautiful sights and we took in every one of them little towns and big open fields of cow pastures were part of the amazing scenery small bayside communities where life rolls at a totally different pace and smoked mullet is a local favorite as advertised on this roadside sign We arrived late greeted by a spectacular full moon that was full of promise for things to come.By the time we arrived Ernie, his wife, and three friends were already done setting up and finished yakking baits out and we felt that nervousness that is anticipation mixed with the crazy desire to take on an unseen beast just out beyond the waves. Ernie Polk and his amazing tough as nails crew next to Ken and I storm cloud formations that never matrialized into rain Once we set up our camp and dropped our baits off and away we gathered around and started talking strategy and learning more about the way Ernie's crew fishes and we shared some of our tackle tips and compared the different ways each group approached shark fishing always with an open mind to learning from every oppurtunity presented to us .We were impressed with how simple and down to earth the equipment that is used by Ernie and his crew is ,,,,,,,,,no fancy diamond wraps or thousand dollar rods , nothing fancy ,just solid well cared for shark fishing equipment and some innovative methods of preparing leaders. The man Ernie Polk with his cable rig tied to rope to facilitate the wiring of Big sharks The basic set-up Penn 16/0 ,short style boat rod w extended homemade Aluminum butt to sink into the sand and use as a gimbal belt on a fighting chair,,,,,,,,,simply simple and very effective We did not have long to wait for the shark fishing action to start when Cliff one of Ernie's friends in training was hooked up to a shark that was bent on swimming to the left .After a short while Cliff got the shark close in enough so it could be leadered ,measured,tagged and quickly released. Cliff works the big rig like a professional Ernie instructs Cliff as the shark gets close to the sand it makes a run for freedom Cliff and his 6 foot plus Bull shark Cliff and the Country Crew with shark #1 Ernie and Ken subdue the shark and quickly tag it SHARK # 2 -Ernie and I pose for a quick pic before the Tag and release The tag goes in with some difficulty and the 6 foot 7 inch bull is quickly reintroduced to the beach water Big Ken on the release the female Bull swims off Before the night is over two more bull sharks are caught one Ernie and the other by me.This place that Ernie has taken us to has proven to be every bit as good as predicted. The action was just starting and baits were being yakked out just after being eaten.This crew and us were on target to catch a few more nice sharks the first night .Ernie's wife Nicole fished harder then anyone and it showed she was catching all kinds of stuff on her Van Stall spinner and surf rod. Sharks ,bait and everything we needed was right there in the water the nurse curse is everywhere at some point The second day we were on the beach and ready for BATTLE the wide 14 foot monster yak used by Ernie and crew The boys prepare to gig some rays in the surf for the days Shark fishing,,,,,,,,nothing like fresh bait !!! The first night proved to us that the shark fishing on this beach was everthing we expected but we were in search of a big TIGER and we were determined to make it happen.Aside from the three bulls and the nurse shark the first night a few bonnethead sharks , and a small blacktip were also caught.In the morning we set up our sun shade to stay out of the blistering sun but to no avail Ken who has light skin was sunburned pretty bad. We had the rods out with fresh bait night and day .We made it a point to replace our old washed out crab bitten baits with fresh bloody ones.Later in the day Ernie and his crew decided to make a move to a different spot but we decided to stay...

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maddawg

(@maddawg)

Reputable Member Registered

nice trip will that is a beutifull place to fish and some nice fish to

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Posted : 08/11/2009 6:25 am

JDHAMMER

(@jdhammer)

Noble Member Registered

Will epic trip, Nice to see new places to fish. The sharkfishing must be great there. I would love to take a trip there. The pics are excellent. You guys had an epic trip. That giant shark is in that spot for sure.Thanks for posting this trip for all of us to enjoy and dream of.

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Posted : 08/12/2009 8:33 am

Bauer

(@bauer)

Estimable Member Registered

You guys definitely got into 'em...love the pics.

Bauer

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Posted : 08/12/2009 2:49 pm

Matzy

(@matzy)

Trusted Member Registered

Will,

Thats a really nice trip you guys had together! Congrats on the two nice Tigers!

They are a lot of fun and dont give you too much trouble on the beach. That is unless you try and get a Jaws shot in which case they get ticked off.

Matt

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Posted : 08/21/2009 6:20 pm

topwater dm

(@topwater-dm)

Honorable Member Registered

William and Kenny great trip and glad you guys could make it happen.Thats alot of miles and hrs to get to a spot like that.Half the battle is packing up and making the plans to do it.Also glad both you guys could hook up with the main species you were after.Congrats Kenny on his first tiger-welcome to the tiger club.Did you ever find out how Ernie and his group did after moving down the beach? William this sounds like a trip we should plan for next year with as many site members in advance.This way people could plan vacation time,gear ready,bait,hotel rooms,who,s going and rides together.Plus go in either july or aug during the new or full moon phase.Just a thought Dave M-tpa

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Posted : 08/22/2009 9:21 am

william

(@william)

Member Admin

Thanks Dave Next year we will definetly make plans with other site members and we will start in May and fish hard till August,,,,,,,there's monsters up there waiting to be caught.

SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger

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Topic starter Posted : 08/23/2009 9:29 am

BIGKENNY

(@bigkenny)

Eminent Member Registered

WILL I COULD NOT HAVE WORDED THAT STORY BETTER. IT WAS A GREAT TIME GOOD FISHING GREAT FRIENDS IT WAS TRUELLY AN HONOR MY FRIEND. THANKS FOR STICKIN BY ME THROUGH THE BROKEN BACK AND ALL, AND KEEPIN MY SPIRITS UP WHEN I DID NOT KNOW IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IN HTIS GREAT SPORT BECAUSE OF MU INJURY . YOU ARE A TRUE FRIEND, A LEGEND TO THE SPORT. AND AN INSPIRATION.

BIGKENNNY

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Posted : 08/24/2009 9:26 pm

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