CATCHING THE BIG ONE AT OLDFIELD
If you thought you had to travel to distant and exotic locations to battle with the mighty tarpon fish, never fear as one of the most coveted saltwater game fish is just a short boat ride from Oldfield’s docks! August and September offer the best fishing opportunities for the "silver king" in the Lowcountry. The tarpons that migrate to the local waters average between 80 and 120 pounds, and when targeted with 20-pound class tackle, these game fish provide one of the ultimate challenges in saltwater angling.
Recently River Pro Jason DuBose and four anglers from Charlotte, who were staying at Oldfield for the weekend, met their match when they battled a 145-pound tarpon. DuBose knew it was a big tarpon, but did not realize how big until the group pulled it next to the boat. The fish measured 76 inches long and 39 inches in girth. Based on these measurements, the tarpon was estimated at 145 pounds, which is just 10 pounds shy of the state record!
Also this year, the Oldfield Outfitters Center has partnered with Mote Marine Laboratories and www.MyFish.com in a genetics study that will provide valuable information regarding the migration patterns of the visiting tarpon. When an Oldfield angler brings a tarpon boat-side, the river pros will collect a jaw scraping prior to releasing the fish unharmed. This sample will then be analyzed by the Mote Marine Lab to determine the location from which the tarpon migrated. Oldfield’s tarpon anglers will be kept abreast of the findings and can take pride in the fact that their efforts will create a better understanding of these magnificent fish.
