Four day weekends. Although this is one perk of still being a college student, there are many who unfortunately do not take advantage of these opportunities, and would rather spend a weekend with the mindset of “Netflix and chill” rather than waking up at 5am to go chase redfish.

However, for my best friend Jackson and I, Labor Day consisted of doing work to the best fish that swims in the world (in my opinion): redfish. Flying to Tallahassee, Florida on a late Thursday night flight, Jackson and I headed to St. George Island on Friday morning ready to meet up with our guide and personal friend Travis Huckeba (www.saltwatersolutionsflyfishing.com). With the sun shining, wind died down, and reds tailing, we knew that the day was going to be epic at the very least.

After a somewhat difficult morning of being unable to spot fish without light, once the sun came up at noon, there were reds everywhere. Floating up on the grass, tailing in the shallows, and even digging in the sand, it seemed like they were everywhere. Some flats consisted of redfish in schools of 20-40, all of them being in the 6-12 pound range (with the occasional pig). Throwing a large chartreuse and white deceiver turned out to be the move of the day, and several great redfish were landed throughout the day. With clear water, and light tippet, we were able to get these fish to the boat and make this weekend a trip for the ages (below pictures). The reds were eager to eat, but the light made them spooky, meaning long and light casts (except for one that was digging so far in the mud that Jackson dropped his fly in the grass and the red inhaled it).

However, the highlight of the trip was an event that Travis told us he has only seen one other time in his time of guiding. While poling down a redfish flat, a huge shadow and tail emerged next to a residential dock that we initially perceived as a huge jack or redfish. As we got closer, we realized that this in fact was neither a jack nor a red: but the silver king himself. A tarpon. With Jackson at the bow to end the day, we were able to position this book extremely close to the fish (probably 20 feet), and Jackson laid out a perfect cast: WHACK. Tarpon on, 130 pounder. After a 10 second show of two jumps and a big run, the tarpon was off, but the memory will last forever. Only having on a 9 weight and 30 pound tippet, it was inevitable that the fish would get off (surprisingly it only got off and didn’t break the line). This was Jackson’s first time jumping a tarpon, and for it to come at such an unique opportunity (and for it to be a beast) made it one of the best fishing moments I have ever witnessed. It is only right after getting my tarpon fix in Mexico for a week to see my lifelong friend hook a fish that we will never forget. Look at that! Fly fishing once again showing how it’s the time on the water that means everything. This event was not a coincidence, but a gift from the big man upstairs wanting to see a show for himself. Spending the last afternoon blind casting on the flats (unsuccessfully) ended the trip on the best note anyone could ask for (below).

Here’s to friendships that live on both on and off the water,

Joe