Big Tarpon on the Nomad Design Vibes
Captain’s Log: Tarpon Dreams in the Everglades
Date: February 19, 2022
Location: Everglades, Florida
Captain: Jarad “Dingo” Boshammer Dingo’s Sportfishing Adventures, Jupiter, FL
First-time saltwater angler Kevin McMahan joined me for a four-day trip in the Everglades, hoping to tangle with the legendary Tarpon. But a cold front rolled in just before our departure, dropping water temperatures to 64–65°F far too cold for Tarpon. So, we shifted our focus to big Snook, and the Everglades didn’t disappoint.
Over the first three days, Kevin landed multiple Snook up to 15 pounds, an impressive feat in winter conditions. As the water warmed to 71–72°F, a few Tarpon began to roll, giving us hope.
Fishing with a Vertrex Max 95 in The Boo and GGG color patterns, paired with a NIS 7’2” (10–20 lb) rod, 20 lb braid, and a 4000 Stradic, Kevin hooked into two Tarpon, one around 40 pounds that threw the hook mid-air, and another that wore through 50# fluorocarbon after a blazing run.
On the final day, we went all in. With water temps holding at 72°F and Tarpon starting to feed, we rigged a Vertrex Max 110 in The Boo on a NOS2P 7'4" (1.5–3) rod, 5000 Saragosa, 40 lb braid, and 60 lb fluorocarbon. In heavy current, traditional swimbaits wouldn’t hold but the Vibe excelled.
Using the “double vibe” retrieve a short lift and crank twice before letting the lure glide & Kevin felt a soft bite. The fish turned toward the boat and then exploded out of the water, launching ten feet off the transom.
The fight was electric with multiple jumps, long runs, and thirty minutes of pure adrenaline before we brought the Tarpon boatside. The BKK Fangs hooks held flawlessly, and we released the fish after quick photos on a nearby sandbar.
For Kevin’s first saltwater trip, it was the fish of a lifetime and proof that sometimes, the right lure and a little persistence make all the difference.
Captain Jarad “Dingo” Boshammer
Dingo’s Sportfishing Adventures — Jupiter, Florida
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