Virginia Angler EJ Biernesser was casting at some uncooperative tarpon on Saturday morning (are there any other kind on the weekends?) when we spotted a cruising bonnethead shark.
A perfect shot with a red and black Tarpon Bunny resulted in an instant take. These sharks are primarily crab eaters with poor eyesight and are difficult to hook on flies. They do put up a great fight, especially on an 8wt. This shark almost removed EJ's nose a split second after this photos was taken.
A couple hours later we were banging the shoreline off Pineland when this bruiser red smashed his fly. At 30 inches it was the biggest redfish I've had anyone land on a fly rod so far this year. A real beauty.
Since it was 3 inches over the slot it was safely released.
The fly was a pink and green Clouser Minnow. You've gotta love any fish that's willing to eat something so unnatural looking.
EJ came back on Sunday with his granddaughter Mandy and scored a handful of nice trout on spinning gear in Matlacha Pass. A great weekend on the water for everyone.
