This story as told by Pete Quartuccio (username "knock down")is a fascinating one that gives us an insight as to how good the shark fishing used to be back in the day at Boca Grande pass.I had the pleasure of meeting many west coast hard core shark fisherman during some of the big shark tournaments during the ealy 80's.Most of the ones I met were tough as nails,hard working,Marlboro smoking honest good ole boys that loved a good fight with a big shark.It was a different era and a different crowd involved in shark fishing back then. Nowadays west coast fisherman fish Boca Grande pass on the beaches and don't have this type of encounter fishing there 20 times a year or more .Things have changed over the years,shark fishing is not what it used to be ,but we keep trying and we make it happen with lots more effort.This is a classic story and and a mirror into the way things used to be.This story would likely not happen now because most shark fisherman now use kayaks to take baits out and most would not dare go after a monster burning a 16/0 on a flimsy kayak.
knock down Post subject: Re: Just want to say Hello !!!Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 11:43 pm
Fishergirl & William , Thank you both for the welcome ! The Venice Sharks club will always remain so very special to me ! Learned so much not only on the fishing side but also the team work that it took & being just as happy for others as you are for yours ) !Back in the day land based sharkin was known as "Fixed Object". Short story from one of the nights out on Boca Grande , Time frame I believe was June. A friends 16/0 goes off , the hook is set , the reel is dumpin out at a real fast rate ! Reel is down to a 1/4 spool ( 200lb mono ). The decision is made to follow the fish in the 12 foot skiff we used to row the baits out with (complete with holes in the bottom ) My farther allowed me to go against his better judgement. The angler was Dick Packman (one of the very best as far as the West coast goes. ) My job was simple keep the water bailed out , make sure the Lantern stays lit & keep the tail Rope , Flyin Gaff & Bang Stick at the ready when the time came. Back to the fight ,The water was Flat calm , that night was Clear of stars with no moon , pitch black & silent. After the 4th hour she showed , She was a truly Giant HammerHead that easily dwarfed our skiff . Hour number 6 , the line goes limp and all Dick said is " She chewed through the leader " when the leader came back along with the hook that was Straightend out(14/0 Mustad )It was early am when we made it back to the beach , we estimate that she dragged us 3-5 miles that night. I won't even guess her wieght , but I would say she was a easy 15 foot , Tarpon was used for bait . PS. Thank god for Memories !!!
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
Great Story 
WOW what a story
That is awesome..tarpon seems to be top of the line bait for a straight up monster its just too bad they are protected even though there are so many of them around!! The reason has got to be so that the tarpon stay real real thick down here so they are quite easy to catch for these charter guides..its all about luring the tourists down here to spend the money..it makes it easier for the guides to put tourists on a big fish I hear a lot of them just troll up and down around boca grande all day snatch hooking them on jigs.
Tarpon J , I believe you are correct . Tarpon =$$$$$ To me they = Giants and always will. I will not break any laws if they are prtected in Fla , when I make my way down there. I have other baits that I have used down there that are real effective as well. When the tarpon run starts the large Sharks follow & are keyed in on tarpon , will they take other bait's I'm sure they do. I know from SC on up to Va , there is no law against not useing them . If I have a chance to score one for bait up here I'll do in a heart Beat ! Mako's love them just as much as Giant Tigers & Hammers !!!!!!!!
Great story, Pete! I wonder why its illegal to kill a tarpon in FL? Cant eat them, maybe too many people would use them for bait?
I killed one last season for bait, worked great. Trying to cut filets all of that thing is another story....almost takes a hacksaw.
Chip , I really believe it comes down to the Tarpon , causing anglers to spend $$$ on Tounemants , Tackle , etc , very big buisness down there ! Strong population equals strong revenue being generated on sportfishin for them ! It's all good ! Next time use a saws-all on them ! Like a hot knife going through butter !
Chip , I really believe it comes down to the Tarpon , causing anglers to spend $$$ on Tounemants , Tackle , etc , very big buisness down there ! Strong population equals strong revenue being generated on sportfishin for them ! It's all good ! Next time use a saws-all on them ! Like a hot knife going through butter !
You are correct its all about the money
I have fished the pass a lot of times in the last 8 years and have only seen 1 reel get spooled. I already have a tarpon in the freezer and the 16/0 is ready for a beast.
We had the 80's dumped twice in the fall on locked down drag just seemed to piss whatever it was off because it didnt slow it down lol
Damn lol, whatcha using for bait?