The silver kings of the Gulf gave up a true giant when Lafayette angler Greg Sonnier landed a massive tarpon while fishing aboard the Prime Rate with veteran skipper Capt. David Domangue. Serving as deckhand and photographer on the trip was Ben Hayes, who captured the moment as it unfolded.
The strike came in North East Pass out of Venice, La., where the crew had been working bait lines along the tide edges. Sonnier hooked the fish on a coral colored Domangue Tarpon Teaser, a lure designed by Capt. Domangue himself and long trusted in tarpon waters.
The fight stretched on in blistering runs and sky-high leaps before Sonnier, guided by Domangue and assisted by Hayes on deck, finally brought the giant fish alongside the boat. After careful measurements and photos, the tarpon was released alive back into the Gulf.
At 85.5 inches fork length with a 45.5-inch girth, the fish ranks among the most impressive tarpon caught in Louisiana waters this season. While no weight was recorded, anglers estimate a tarpon of those proportions can easily push into the triple-digit class.
“This is the kind of fish you dream about,” Sonnier said after the release. “I’ll never forget the power of that tarpon — and I couldn’t have landed it without Capt. Domangue putting us on the spot and Ben Hayes working the deck and camera like a pro.”
Tarpon, prized for their acrobatic fights and legendary endurance, remain one of the Gulf’s most celebrated gamefish. With careful handling and a quick release, this Gulf giant was given the chance to continue its migration — ensuring the thrill of the chase for future anglers.
-Ben Hayes
