AS SEEN IN THE 2004 FALL ISSUE

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Lady scores a Super Grand Slam!

Hi, my name is Michele DeMartino. I live adjacent to a lake in northern New Jersey where I usually fish for largemouth bass, though my true passion is fishing for tarpon. Twice a year I travel down to Florida to fish with one of the greatest guides I have ever met, his name is Capt. Carl Ball. Capt. Carl knows I’m obsessed with tarpon and that I can't get enough of the mighty silver kings. You see, that’s where all of this started so from one lady angler to the rest of the fishing world, I know you‘ll appreciate this short story.

On Friday June 11th  of this year, I accomplished a tremendous angling feat on the flats of Key Biscayne in sunny South Florida. An unbelievable dream came true for me that day. Just sitting here telling the story actually makes my hands tremble and my adrenaline level soar so without further ado, this is how it all went down.

Just the day before, I managed to land a hefty 26 lb. permit on 14 lb. spinning gear and lost another, equally as large. Leaving the dock bright and early on this second day of my fishing adventure, I felt extremely confident as we headed over to one of Capt. Carl Ball’s favorite tarpon haunts where we began drifting crabs back to a pocket of rolling juveniles. Looking back now, fortunately none were takers. In search of more willing fish, Capt. Carl suggested we move further into the bay where we had hooked up with the hefty permit the previous day.

With-in minutes of our arrival, Capt. Ball yelled "eleven o’clock, eleven o’clock!” In what seemed like one swift motion, I cast, fed out a couple feet of line, set the hook and was momentarily mesmerized by the estimated 80 lb. tarpon that was now melting all the line off my reel. I couldn’t have been more excited! This is what I came for. I slowly made my way to the bow of the 18 ft. Hewes Redfisher and began my dance with the king. After 20 long minutes and 4 blistering runs, I eventually won the tug-of-war. What a beautiful fish! Capt. Carl estimated her weight at 80 lbs. & measured her at 64”. I carefully revived the silver beauty, thanked her and sent her on her merry way.

Only ten minutes later I found myself connected to an even larger tarpon. This fish really took me for all I was worth. I think Capt. Carl etched the words "bow to the king" in my memory forever. Each time the glorious fish came up for a breath she would leap high into the air. After close to 40 minutes of torture, I finally managed to get the beast with-in just a few feet of victory. As Capt. Carl grabbed the leader, the mighty fish mustered up one more thrash and managed to bust me off. We guessed her weight at around the 100 pound mark and about 75” in length. Completely out of breath and sweating, I was now more than content. Two big tarpon to the boat and it wasn’t even 9:00 am.

Looking for something just a bit more manageable, we headed off in search of permit. With his keen eye sight, Capt Carl spotted a pair of fish in the low 20’s hovering below a weed line about 100 yards from shore. An accurate cast later resulted in the larger of the two engulfing my crab. I recall it was like trying to pull an open umbrella through the water. A short while later I had the day’s first gorgeous permit at the boat. Suddenly, I came to the realization that I was close to achieving an inshore Grand-Slam. It was still early and I already had two down with only one more species to go. I looked up at Capt. Carl who evidentially was thinking the exact same thing as me as he muttered “guess we better go find us a bone".

I asked Capt. Ball which of the three species was the most difficult to land in an inshore Grand-Slam.  He kindly responded with a grin and said "the last one." Off to the flats we went in search of the elusive grey ghost. We spent the remainder of the morning searching for deceptive bonefish but they were no where to be found.

Approaching yet another flat, I took my position up on the bow as Capt. Carl worked his magic from the poling platform. I remember thinking to myself: no way, there is just no way I’m going to get a chance at a bonefish today!
Achieving a Grand Slam was so close but yet so far away.

A few minutes later and with authority in his voice, Capt. Ball yelled “toss your shrimp off to the side. Three o’clock. Right there! Right there!”  Just as my shrimp broke the surface three fish swirled on the helpless bait. I locked up, heaved back and was suddenly hooked up to a surprising 10 pound snook. SWEET! After landing and releasing the healthy fish, the immediate next cast resulted in another chunky 6 pound snook!. Holy crap! I was now on the verge of an inshore Super-Grand-Slam! More committed than ever, off to another bonefish hole we went.

It was now late in the day and the sun was shining bright. Totally focused, I ready and willingly stood at the bow while Capt. Carl polled us around yet another one of his ‘secret spots’. I couldn’t believe how lucky and privileged I was, though I still didn't think I would ever get a shot at a bone. As I methodically studied the water I clung to the small glimmer of hope I still had. The clock was ticking and unfortunately the surrounding water seemed void of any life.

Starling me with his crisp voice, Capt. Carl loudly whispered "twelve o'clock, twelve o'clock, muddy water 25 yards out". In agony, I patiently waited for that perfect shot. The shrimp gently landed about 6 ft. in front of the pack and luckily the pack didn't spook. Ball whispered “wait...wait...wait, now twitch it”. Those few seconds seemed like eternity. Without hesitation the lead fish picked up my bait. Carl yelled “now!” I set the hook and miraculously found myself on the brink of achieving the unbelievable. An inshore Super-Grand-Slam! I recall screaming holy crap, holy crap throughout the entire fight. When I finally landed the estimated 10 lb. ghost, I cradled the fish with the gentleness of a new born baby. UNBELIEVABLE! My first bonefish, my first Grand-Slam and my first Super-Grand-Slam all in the same day! I practically tackled Carl on the bow as we laughed, screamed and enjoyed our achievement!

I’ve now been fishing with Capt. Carl Ball twice a year for quite some time and together we’ve always done well. Thanks to his expertise, eagle eyes and coaching expertise, I accomplished an unbelievable feat. A dream come true for me and the first female caught Super-Grand-Slam for Capt. Carl.   
I know I’ll remember that day like it was yesterday for the rest of my life. I guess that’s why I enjoy fishing so much. And anyhow you what they say, when it’s your day, it’s your day and Friday June 11th, 2004, was definitely my day!
 
Captain Carl Ball can be reached by visiting www.AwolFishingCharters.com

Photos courtesy Capt. Carl Ball and Carolyn Davies. 

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