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Special Report: Capt. Steve Kilpatrick Guides Angler to 202 Pound Giant Tarpon on Fly Rod!
On May 11, Capt. Steve Kilpatrick of Chiefland, Florida, guided a Father-Son Team (both named Jim Holland) to a possible world record on 20-pound class tippet using a fly rod.
The Tarpon taped out at an impressive 84 inches with a 47-inch girth said Capt. Ted Johnston, a close friend of Steve's. The official weight was 202 pounds. This is a dream come true for many an angler and this makes Steve King of Kings in the world of poons.
The son caught the fish and only a half way jump occurred during the two-hour battle. The Team fished all week with only one fish caught before the world record encounter.
The trio had to fight off a bull shark and after two hours Steve lip gaffed the fish and did not know what size he had until he tried to lift it and could not pull the big mama up for a quick photo. The Father helped Steve lift it up and Steve said, "Quick! Let's get this fish in the boat!"
During the celebration, 2-time world record holder, Capt. Dan Malzone, kissed Capt. Kilpatrick on the lips and we are not sure if he slipped him the tongue. What a big, hairy fellow to try to get away from.
Capt. Al Dopirak, a superior tarpon guide is Kilpatrick's room mate during tarpon season and has provided guidance to Steve during the last 3 seasons. They represent a true bond among men at Poon Camp. They are the best of friends.
All of the big names in the world of tarpon have heard this through the coconut telegraph. More than 50 people showed up to look at the 7-foot tarpon.
In what has been a really tough two weeks of poon fishing, this will raise the brows of everyone who knows how tough this sport really is and how hard it is to catch a big fish like Steve's client did.
Steve tied a leader the night before and used a deer hair slider which I am sure will have name before all of this is over. The leader and fly line has to be tested by the International Game Fish Association. It should pass the breakage test.
The area where the fish was caught was near Hammer's Rock named by Freddy Archibald in 1989. Later, Kilpatrick renamed the ledge to the "Hump". The big fish pulled them all the way to Capt. Billy Hampton's Green Holes, which is about 6 miles of tacking (or 3 miles as the crow flies).
Most of the headhunter tarpon fraternity probably will change to 16-pound tippet since this 202-pounder surpasses the old record of Brian O'Keefe's by more than 20 pounds.
Billy Pate's 16-pound class tippet still holds at 188 pounds set back in 1982.
When I get a picture of the fish, I will post it.
Dr. David Dalu Pays His Dues For Homosassa Tarpon
When David Dalu was 15 years old, he wrote Billy Pate a letter asking him about fly rods. Pate wrote him back a hand written letter that Dalu still cherishes.
17 years later (or two days ago), Dr. David Dalu, M.D., tried pursuing his goal by hooking and landing a silver king tarpon. With the Billy Pate videos burned into his mind, Dalu wanted to make his own recording and instead got humiliation.
On Wednesday, the wind finally allowed a day of rest, and an earnest young angler, full of desire yet inexperienced skill, was ready to do battle with his own demons who had taken the shape of Megalops Atlanticus. Yet even with sharp eyes and deft casts under close tutelage from the poling platform, the tarpon would not eat. It was a thrill just to see 150 lbs. follow 1.5 ounces 15 inches away.
It's all about paying your dues.
Call it a sightseeing trip that was very Eco-friendly.
Capt. Mike