Lots of Activity on the Flats - Part 3

I saw another Blacktip on patrol. This one didn't get as close as the last one. I tried taking pictures of it underwater, but it was too far and the water had too much suspended particles. Next time -

Chumming the Waters

As I was fishing with cut squid, I purposely dropped the guts, fins and outer skin that I trimmed off the prepared bait, into the water where I was fishing to stack the deck in my favor. I'd say that tactic works - it brought this guy in. It was swimming right for me - it got to 5' away and finally saw me.

Safe!

This was the most exciting fish I've caught in a very long time! I saw the pack running back and forth, cast a gummy minnow and just like before - I got a hook up. This guy pulled me into backing three times before the next series of events. There was a Blacktip Shark patrolling the flats - maybe four foot in length. When the shark saw me, it bolted out towards the reef - right into the path of the BFT I had on the end of the line. The fish turned and the shark changed to "eat" programming. The BFT changed tactics and swam straight for me - and was able to get away. Heart pumping, adrenaline based flyfishing action - two fish in the circle of life running through waves where you can see them - it doesn't get better than this!!! And yes, the BFT was caught and released safely - just in case you were wondering...

More Sharks

I saw this blacktip as I was leaving the flats. You'll have to look closely, but the shark is in the picture. Back at the room, I saw another shark swimming in the lagoon - a big nurse. The nurse had some good sized remora accompanying it. With the big bull hanging around yesterday, this was a real toothy weekend.