Captain BEN CHANCEY





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"140 Pound Terror" Part II



Here comes part II. Cory was in pain and needed to take two days off to recuperate after the beating he took from the formula est. 240 pound Jewfish. He was rested and ready by day three to see what we could do. We were getting another day on the water because I usually scout fish the day before a client comes down, so I can have a bead on where and what the fish are doing. We got a late start but it didn't matter because the tide wasn't in our favor anyhow. We went into the sound and managed to get on a big school of Menhaden. I threw the net once and we had more than we could keep alive. We did a 180 and went South down the sound to see if any of the big Snook wanted to eat a fat oily Menhaden. The bite never materialized so we decided to hit the Jewfish spot looking for Snook. We didn't know what to expect because I don't usually get Menhaden here in our area. I was fishing on bottom and Cory was free lining his bait. When what do ya know a strong fish slams my bait. I put the breaks on him with my thumb and he simultaneously lifted me to my toes. I wasn't sure if it was a big Snook or a Jewfish but either way I knew it was big and strong. With the breaks on I was able to prevent the large fish from reaching it's destination. Eventually we saw color, it turned out to be a nice 35 to 40 pound Jewfish.





Other than the one Jewfish the bite turned out to be nonexistent. We decided to head up into the sound and see if we could get on some Tarpon with the great Menhaden we had. On the way out to get bait earlier in the morning we noticed several Tarpon boats fishing in the channel. Cory even spotted a couple from the tower. I sat the Shearwater down off plane and watched the depth finder for fish. All of the sudden we started marking fish all over the place so I had Cory drop the anchor. As we were baiting up with Menhaden I said to Cory "You know every time we try fishing a way we never have before, we seem to always have a great day. While I was baiting up my last rod Cory's Baitrunner goes off along with a huge crash 30 feet away from the boat. I didn't see the hit just the huge wake afterwards. Cory jumped to his rod and set the hook. We weren't sure if it was a Tarpon or a Shark at first. The fish burned off over a hundred yards easily. Cory's hollering, "I am almost to my backing." Meanwhile I am reeling up what felt like a hundred rods and reels. Finally I get them all in and then grab the anchor. Cory's fish is still going. Cory is getting close to running out of backing. I get the Yamaha going and we chase her down. I had Cory reeling as fast as he could. While trying to catch up with the fish Cory was able to get a jump or two out of it. The Tarpon was huge. I mean it was well over a hundred pounds and had to be taller than Cory was. I shut the motor down once we got within 25 yards of the big girl. When fighting a big fish like a Tarpon you can't follow it around or it will just go on forever. Cory was having a tough time with the big fish, especially since he was still sore from the Jewfish.






30 minutes into the fight and poor Cory was dying. I don't think he was ready for such a big fish that quickly after the huge Jewfish he had just landed a few days before. It seemed as if every time Cory would gain some ground the Tarpon would take off again. He wanted a fighting belt or something but all I had was a rubber rod end that fits over your pants. While I was fastening his fighting cap on his pants a couple of Bikini clad females in a Pro Sports flats boat stopped to watch the action. I told him if he really wants to be a hero he needs to hurry up and land that Tarpon for the girls to see. Cory did his best but after 20 minutes the girls said good luck with the fish and went off to grab a bite to eat. Oh well, Cory had big fish on his mind anyways. The girls were just a plus. Click on the link Huge Jewfish Gallery to view the new Photo Gallery.


Before long I was not sure who would be the better beast. The Tarpon just wouldn't quit and Cory looked like he wanted to, but he kept up the pressure as hard as he could. Every 5 minutes or so I would have Cory tighten the drag so the fish would have to work harder to take line. Cory managed to get her close to the boat on 7 or 8 times but it just wouldn't give up. Cory was finally able to put together a good string of pumps and the Tarpon gave up after 55 minutes of battle in the hot Florida sun. It was the biggest Tarpon that has been caught on my boat. The Tarpon was bigger than any I have ever caught as well. It had to be 120 to 130 pounds. The more I think about it, the prouder it makes me that the first Tarpon he ever caught was on my boat and the two largest fish he has ever caught was also on my boat as well. Look at that pic, you can tell he was one happy junior angler.





Since I was able to put him on such a great fish he was obligated to feed us at the Waterfront, which was only a stones throw away. He couldn't wait to get into the cold air condtioned restaurant and replenish his exhausted body. By the time we finished eating at the Waterfront it was 3 pm and the tide would soon be coming in. I suggested we try for some ladies and see what may happen. It took us awhile but we finally were able to get three in the boat and one extra large spanish mackerel in the well. Off we went to the Racing Mullet Mansion. Boats were everywhere and I new I wouldn't be able to fish where I wanted to, but we gave it a shot anyhow. I baited up with a lively lady and tossed it into the hole. Splack!! the lady was hammered instantly. The big Snook ran me up under the structure but my Fins allowed me to pull her right on out. She turned out to be a strong 12 pounder.





The bite stopped after that fish and we decided to hit the jewfish spot with our last 3 baits. We had two live ladyfish and one big dead mackerel. Cory didn't want anymore of any Jewfish so I got the chance to see what I could do. I dropped the first bait and it was consumed before it hit the bottom. When the Jewfish eat it that fast you usually have no prayer because they have already turned and put you in the structure. You guessed it, he busted me off just like that. Next I grabbed the Man O' War and dropped down the last Lady. As soon as it hit the bottom it was inhaled. I set the hook and thumbed the spool but it broke me off rather quickly and don't really know on what. Now we were down to Cory's rod that he caught the big Jew on a couple of days earlier and the big dead Mackerel for bait. Cory said why not use it, so I dropped it down and BAMM!! it was gone in an instant. I thumbed the spool and pulled as hard as I could while Cory did a great job pulling me away with the trolling motor. The huge fish would make big surges and it was all I could do to keep the rod tip up and the spool thumbed so the big boy couldn't take line. After 15 minutes or so we saw color and it was one huge Jewfish. I know exactly how much this big boy weighed. It weighed "DANG HEAVY" especially when I had to drag it over the side after the fight. I will leave it up to you readers to determine the weight.





Well I hope you all enjoyed these last two reports. I know I enjoyed making them. It was a real blast seeing a young and not to mention small guy do such a great job with two huge fish. If he keeps up this pace all of the big names in fishing will have to watch out. Until next time. Keep them lines Tight!!


Make sure you check out the new fishing magazine called GAFF Magazine. Anyone that has had the chance to see it has been very impressed. 





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