Some fish are memorable because you land them.
Others become unforgettable because of the fight itself.
During our recent trip to the Florida Keys, Harriet hooked into what would become the largest fish she has ever fought — a tarpon our guide estimated around 120 pounds.
The moment the fish ate, everything exploded.
The tarpon erupted completely out of the water in a violent crash, instantly dumping hundreds of yards of line while Harriet tried to settle into the fight.
Within seconds, we knew this fish was different.
The runs were long.
The jumps were violent.
And every time we thought the fish might finally be slowing down, it somehow found another burst of energy.
For the first 20 minutes, Harriet fought the fish completely on her own and somehow managed to get the first leader touch surprisingly early into the battle.
But the tarpon was nowhere near done.
Every time the fish came to the surface and gulped air, it seemed to recharge itself all over again.
The fish dragged us more than a mile from where we originally hooked it, pulling us from a small protected cove all the way into a larger basin while our captain chased it down with the boat.
At one point, the tarpon crossed an extremely shallow flat, with nearly its entire back sticking out of the water. It honestly looked more like a giant redfish belly crawling across the mud flats back home in the Lowcountry than a tarpon.
Watching a fish that massive move through inches of water was unreal.
The Diabetes Side of the Fight
As incredible as the tarpon battle was, there was another layer to the fight that we kept a constant eye on.
When you’re spending long days in the Florida Keys heat with Type 1 diabetes, preparation starts long before the first cast.
Before every trip, we pack extra insulin separately from the insulin Harriet is actively using. We also bring backup pump supplies, extra Dexcom sensors, and low snacks in multiple locations, including the boat, the truck, the hotel room, and the backpack.
Years of traveling with diabetes have taught us that backups aren’t optional—they’re peace of mind.
While Harriet focused on fighting the tarpon, I kept an eye on her blood sugar through the Dexcom Follow app on my phone.
Fishing may not seem physically demanding from the outside, but fighting a giant tarpon for over an hour in the Florida heat is a workout. Heat can affect insulin potency, sun exposure can loosen Dexcom sensors, and sweat can loosen the adhesive on both her sensor and insulin pump, while adrenaline from a fish like this can temporarily raise blood sugar even as the physical activity is working to lower it.
What makes situations like this especially tricky is that blood sugar can remain stable during the excitement and then begin to drop later, once the adrenaline wears off.
We also keep Capri Suns and other low snacks in the cooler for situations exactly like this. They’re easy to grab, easy to drink, and can bring blood sugar back up quickly if needed.
Thankfully Harriet stayed in range throughout the fight, allowing her to focus on the fish instead of her diabetes.
Eventually, Harriet was exhausted from fighting the fish for so long, so I took over on the rod while we continued trying to bring it closer to the boat.
For nearly another 50 minutes, the tarpon kept surging away from us every time we thought the fight was almost over.
We managed multiple more leader touches and got heartbreakingly close to putting hands on the fish before the hook finally pulled free beside the boat.
Just like that, it was over.
For a few seconds, nobody really said anything.
We were exhausted.
A little heartbroken.
But honestly… completely amazed.
As disappointing as it was to lose the fish at the very end, the fight itself instantly became one of the coolest moments we’ve ever experienced together on the water.
After the fight was over, we checked Harriet’s blood sugar again, made sure everything was still in range, and got ready to continue the day.
That’s one of the realities of traveling with diabetes. The adventure doesn’t stop—you simply learn how to prepare for it.
What made the moment even more special was knowing Harriet had always wanted a tarpon photo similar to one her grandfather had from Key West in 1975, holding a much smaller tarpon.
This tarpon definitely wasn’t one you casually lift for a photo.
But honestly, the memory of that fight became far more meaningful than any picture could have been.
And that’s fishing sometimes.
Sometimes the fish gets away.
Sometimes the story becomes bigger than the catch itself.
And this one is definitely a story we’ll never forget.
A huge thank you to Capt. Josh, for putting us on incredible fish all week and working unbelievably hard in tough conditions. Between giant tarpon, goliath grouper, and nonstop action, this trip turned into one we’ll never forget!
If you would like to book a trip with Captain Josh Benton please click below.