Ft. Lauderdale Shark Hunting with Brian

We were all in need of a little R&R. I had gone to college with the groom in Texas but had not met the other bachelor party participants as they were friends from his current job. I was looking forward for some good times, good weather and great fishing.

3 of us got in pretty early on Friday so we decided to hit the beach after checking into the Hotel. Coming over the intercoastal bridge and getting that first glimpse of the beachside strip, made famous by Vanilla Ice (A1A Beachfront Ave.), was one I would not forget, as it was my first time in Ft. Lauderdale.

I met up with 2 of the others at the historic “Elbo Room.” After having a few drinks we wanted to get a little closer to the beach so we grabbed a cooler and a 12-pack and made our way for the Las Olas Beach. The weather could not have been better, and it stayed that way all weekend!

After catching a few rays we headed back to the hotel to clean up for dinner. Dinner along the water was followed by a few Jimmy Buffet style bars and clubs in the Riverfront area. We got home at a decent hour ready to hit the beach before our noon departure from the marina.

After sipping a few Coladas on the beach, we made our way to the Marina and boarded the boat for a 6-hour tour. Most of us took our Dramamine, but one landlubber decided the chum the water on his own as we headed out to sea. We had 2, 6-man boats, and our boat lost about a 7-foot sailfish before coming in for the day burned, with an empty cooler of beer and fish.

When we got back and met up with the second boat, we saw that they had reeled in a 300lb Hammerhead Shark! We were jealous as we listened to the 45 minute struggle with the beast and knew we would not live that down. He headed over to the Restaurant over-looking the marina for dinner and then combed the beach bars until dawn, before rising too early for our departing flights.

Although I did not catch the shark, I took solace in the fact that I was not faced with the $1,500 decision to get the fish mounted on my wall. No idea what I would have told the wife on that one. The trip was a success and can’t wait to come back and hunt down that sailfish that got away.

 

Thanks,

Brian, IN

 

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