How a local angler checked a 40-inch snook off her bucket list in Tampa Bay waters
Tanya Johnson loves to fish and has always had a goal to catch a 40-inch snook.
“Three years ago, I got a 34-and-a-half-inch snook, and that was awesome,” said Johnson, who has spent time working at bait shops along Tampa Bay.
“I went out with Captain Anthony Rufo Wednesday and we wanted to fish the bay, but it was too rough with two-foot rollers and white caps in the bay. We changed plans and fished some inshore spots trying to get a slam while hoping the weather would calm down.”
After Johnson, Rufo and John Carman each caught a redfish, snook and trout slam along southern Tampa Bay, the trio checked the middle of the bay once again, but it was still rough. Rufo pointed his boat to an area that the high tide allowed them to get into, hoping to find bigger redfish.
“We set up in a deep hole and threw out some half green backs and let them soak,” explained Johnson. “Two of the rods went off at the same time, so John grabbed one and I ended up with the other one. The line was dragging, hauling and taking off. John’s fish went to the front of the boat and mine was still going toward the mangroves, so Anthony told him we need to go after my fish. He said, ‘Don’t lose that one!’”
As the fish nearly ran out the line on the 4000 size spinning reel, Johnson had another worry, only 20-pound leader. They slowly retrieved the line when Johnson had a view of the beast at the other end.
“When it got shallow, I saw the fin and told them I knew it wasn’t a redfish. She eventually got deep into the mangroves and I was ready to jump in the water to go after her. I was hanging off the side of the boat and used my toes to get the line down low!” the excited Johnson described.
“The branches broke and we worked on her to get her out of the mangroves. Eventually, she came out of the water and made the biggest splash. When it was netted, I hit my knees and started crying. My adrenaline was pumping and I knew how long I had been waiting for this one.”
Johnson saw a giant snook in the net. Rufo measured it at 42 inches, and helped her hold it up for pictures.
“It was so heavy I wanted to support her weight the whole time. I was basically holding her like a baby. After fighting her for about 15 minutes, we spent 5 minutes reviving her, and she eventually swam back off into the mangroves. It was awesome, a straight adrenaline rush.”
With her 40-inch snook bucket list fish checked, Johnson has a new goal, a 40-inch redfish.
“It’s goals. Pushes me to get out and fish harder. Being on the water is one of the best things for me. It’s calming and I can just let everything go. When I’m on the water, I’m quiet and calm. It’s my happy place,” Johnson said.
