A few weeks have passed since my return from the 15 day Indy trip and I think it is worth sharing my tale of three significant losses I experienced on my last 15 day adventure. Those of you who have battled these beasts long enough to experience the wins and losses can relate I'm sure. Hoping there is some knowledge to gain from these examples. As Capt. Jeff Debuys likes to say, you only get so many chances. Unfortunately I didn't fiinsh the deal on a few quality fish this trip. Despite these heartbreaks, I had my share of victories, including the attached photo of my 195lb.
Take this for what it is, no blame no shame, just ones that got away....
Lost 1. Hurricane Bank Sardine 100 lb Premier. We were setting anchor for the first time at Hurricane and I was one of the first in the water and was picked up quick off the stern. I was using my go to 100 lb gear, 770xxh calstar and Mak 20. This fish felt big and took me up the port side fairly quickly. I had Billy as my support and things were going well but soon felt a rub on my line like someone was tangled on me from underneath the boat. Billy did a quick run around and saw no problems. The rub sensation disappeared and the fish settled into a slow give and take on the port side midship. The sulking fight continued and I had to bump the drag up to close to full to gain line. Then the sensation came back 20-30 minutes after I first felt it, the rub on my line. I backed off the drag, alerted Billy and Jeff who had joined us and handed the rod to Billy as we all ran down the deck towards the stern. The line broke as we were running down the rail. The floro looked to have been cut sharp and angular close to the hook. The initial reaction was to assume someone from underneath the boat was tangled but that never was confirmed. Jeff also mentioned the possibility of tangled nets over the bank, although we had the fish at deep color.
Lost 2. Hurricane Bank Sardine 100 lb Premier, Seeker 6463xxh tiagra 30. Classic mid day tough bite long soak off the bow. Ripping biter turns into a halibut from hell. Tail wrap! I pull it in backwards for all but 75 yards and then it breaks loose and goes ape-shit. Twice around the boat we go with the 190+ fish 75 feet away and on the surface. Last pass I try to finish the deed on the starboard corner. Two or three times around the corner I’m encouraged to get it done and just out of gaff range the line breaks. Line is frayed as you would expect from a tail wrap.
Lost 3. Boat Kite Rig. Double Trouble Circle hooks and Greenies. Teenager on steroids takes me around the boat a few times, wraps around the anchor, is freed, makes a run for the surface, shakes head violently and then settles into a give and take below the pilothouse on the starboard side. Just outside of gaff range, Cappy is encouraging me from above to get it done and I pull. In fact I pull the hook right out of the mouth.
Take this for what it is, no blame no shame, just ones that got away....
Lost 1. Hurricane Bank Sardine 100 lb Premier. We were setting anchor for the first time at Hurricane and I was one of the first in the water and was picked up quick off the stern. I was using my go to 100 lb gear, 770xxh calstar and Mak 20. This fish felt big and took me up the port side fairly quickly. I had Billy as my support and things were going well but soon felt a rub on my line like someone was tangled on me from underneath the boat. Billy did a quick run around and saw no problems. The rub sensation disappeared and the fish settled into a slow give and take on the port side midship. The sulking fight continued and I had to bump the drag up to close to full to gain line. Then the sensation came back 20-30 minutes after I first felt it, the rub on my line. I backed off the drag, alerted Billy and Jeff who had joined us and handed the rod to Billy as we all ran down the deck towards the stern. The line broke as we were running down the rail. The floro looked to have been cut sharp and angular close to the hook. The initial reaction was to assume someone from underneath the boat was tangled but that never was confirmed. Jeff also mentioned the possibility of tangled nets over the bank, although we had the fish at deep color.
Lost 2. Hurricane Bank Sardine 100 lb Premier, Seeker 6463xxh tiagra 30. Classic mid day tough bite long soak off the bow. Ripping biter turns into a halibut from hell. Tail wrap! I pull it in backwards for all but 75 yards and then it breaks loose and goes ape-shit. Twice around the boat we go with the 190+ fish 75 feet away and on the surface. Last pass I try to finish the deed on the starboard corner. Two or three times around the corner I’m encouraged to get it done and just out of gaff range the line breaks. Line is frayed as you would expect from a tail wrap.
Lost 3. Boat Kite Rig. Double Trouble Circle hooks and Greenies. Teenager on steroids takes me around the boat a few times, wraps around the anchor, is freed, makes a run for the surface, shakes head violently and then settles into a give and take below the pilothouse on the starboard side. Just outside of gaff range, Cappy is encouraging me from above to get it done and I pull. In fact I pull the hook right out of the mouth.
