I grew up watching the massive shapes cruise the beaches of my home under the early spring and summer sun, never knowing what I was missing. I was happy to target the reds, snook, and jack instead. Now that I live a thousand miles away and we're in the midst of a winter that appears to have no intention of letting up, I know exactly what I was passing up. Too bad nothing comes for free on the tarpon flats. That is, besides sunburns, shattered pride, and a new phrase or two, far more colorful than your typical overexposed photo of silvery flanks rolling by within casting range.
After a few days on the tarpon flats we had a lot more confidence and vastly improved casting (entirely because of our guide), but these are things we wish we had at the beginning of the trip. Time on the bow can certainly be a nerve-wracking thing, whether you think you know what’s coming or not. We weren't the first to experience shaking knees and blown casts and we certainly won’t be the last. But hopefully we can find more time for that soon. Bow time.