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From Jan 01, 1999 To May 09, 2008
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Nov 17, 2006; 11:14PM - Whipping for Big Fish
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
The Pencil Popper was almost to the boat when the water exploded under it. The 40 pound GT ( Giant Trevalle or Ulua as we call them here in Hawaii ) was so close to the boat it splash water on Steve and me. This was the 7th cast Steve made this morning. He missed fish on his 2nd and 3rd cast, but as the 50 pound test line melted from the spinning reel, we knew this was a solid hook up.
Captain Steve Petras, a charter boat skipper from Kona was hooked into his very first GT. He had traveled to Christmas Island for just this kind of action. Big GT and Ahi (yellowfin tuna) on spin casting gear. If the first 5 minutes of fishing was any indication of what we could expect, it was going to be an exciting week.
Steve makes his own rods, and balances his reels, line, and lures to get maximum performance. I ask him what kind of gear one could buy off the shelf if they were visiting Christmas Island and wanted a chance at landing some 40 pound plus fish.
The spinning rods, according to Steve, should be from 6 to 7 feet long with a light tip and plenty of backbone. He mentioned the Ugly Stik, Penn Slammer and rods by Star.
For spinning reels, he suggested the big Shimon's. Stella, Sustain, and Stradic. The 8000 size ones. He was using the Stella. The kid has good (expensive) taste. LOL
Steve was using 50# test Power Pro line and an 80# test fluorocarbon leader (5 ft.) .
He linked it all together with a Bimmini Twist and a Double Uni Knot.
Now for the lures. Anything BIG. We started off with a Gibbs Pencil Popper, and a big black popper made in Hawaii called a Reef Ripper. As the week wore on the lure of choice was the Roberts Ranger in chrome. The Ranger is an East Coast bluefish lure. The 2 1/4 and 3 ounce size. Steve replaced the single hook with a 4-0 treble and one of those big heavy split rings. On my next trip, that's the only lure I'm taking.
After landing the 40 pounder, taking pictures, and releasing the fish, Steve hooked into an identical size fish 3 casts later. I made two cast and caught two Omilu (bluefin GT) weighing in at 8 pounds each. The Ahi were busting bait schools a hundred yards away, so we said... 'Why not!' Steve hooked a 40 pound tuna on his first cast. I quit fishing and picked up the camera. We had been fishing for less than an hour. Yes, the fishing is that good.
So here is Steve..... standing on the outrigger of this big canoe, rod bent almost double, line flying off the reel..... you should have the smile on his face.
We only fished together for two days. (I wanted to try bonefish and queen fish on a light fly rod) He ended up catching over 50 GT and Ahi ranging in size from 40 to 80 pounds. Not a bad weeks fishing. He could have landed a lot more if he hadn't removed the hooks from his lure so he could tease the fish in close to the boat, giving his friend a chance to hook them on a fly rod. (that's a whole nother story)
I first started fishing Christmas Island 25 years ago and I really believe the fishing is better today than it was back then.
Aloha,
Stan |
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Nov 16, 2006; 10:28PM - Christmas Island Adventure
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
The fishing is better today than it was 25 years ago when we first started going there. They have no kill rules for bonefish and GT now. Catch & release only areas, no fishing areas, and a 5 fish a day limit if you do want to keep some of the other kinds of fish.
The big GT have really made a comeback. The 40 to 80 pounders are everywhere.
If you can't catch one in 10 casts, something is wrong. It was that good. We also caught ahi, wahoo, kawakawa, aku, sweet lips, red trout, and even a sailfish.
The bonefishing was better than ever. Each evening before dinner we would gather on the lanai for pupu's and drinks to plan the next days fishing. Teannaki, the head guide, would ask: 'What kind of fish do you want to catch? How Big?' If you wanted the bonefish over 6 pounds you went to the flats where the big ones are. One guy got an 11 pounder. The water was deeper, you caught less fish, but they were big. I chose the 1 to 2 pound size. Lots of fun on a light 5 wt fly rod.
One day I ask to catch papio. The guide took us to where the rising tide was spilling over a gravel bar. The bluefin and whites were every where. I would cast at a 3 pounder and a 1 pound one would race in and take the fly. Then a school of queen fish would come by and everyone would hook up. Fish jumping all over the place. After an hour of non stop action I had to sit down and rest. I returned to that place 3 times that week.
The best part was the new Villages fishing lodge. It's only been open 6 months and can handle 8 anglers a week. Two to a room. Air conditioning, and lots of hot water. It's located 30 minutes from the airport on the lagoon side of the island on the way to London. The boats..... ( 2 anglers, a guide, and boatman ) the boats pick you up each morning right on the beach at the lodge, and in 5 minutes your at a bonefish flat catching fish.
The food was all 5 Star. We started with a big breakfast. Eggs to order, ham, bacon, French toast, cereal, fresh fruit, juice. Then we made sandwiches for lunch. Water, soda, and beer was in the ice chest on the boat. Dinners were great. Sashimi every night. Usually a choice of a fish or meat dish. Lobster, giant clam, Mantas Shrimp, tako, pork, chicken, and fish. I can't say enough about the food.
Several evenings there was local entertainment, dancers & singing. The people are still friendly as ever.
Sean, at Nervous Water fly shop made all the booking arrangements for us. With tips and bar bill, I still came in under $3000. Not bad for air fare, ground transportation, hotel, all meals, guide & boat every day..... and some great fishing. We're already planning our next trip.
Aloha,
Stan |
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Dec 17, 2005; 01:26PM - Snook to Sails in Santa’s Bag
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: bajafly@bajafly.com
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Report Description:
REPORT #989. “Below the Border” Saltwater Fly-Fishing reports since 1996
Endless Season Update 12/17/05
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Most of the warm water has been pushed down below Pt. Tasco, down around the finger bank, which is just far enough away from anywhere to be considered no man’s land for most boats. Still reports of very LARGE tuna and plenty of bait balls to keep the marlin fishing interesting.
The action in the esteros continues to produce snook, palometa and a few sierra, corvina as well.
Be sure to read Bob Vanian’s report about his recent trip to Magdalena Bay with Bob Woodward, both from San Diego, at http://www.976bite.com/ several weeks ago.
Water temperature 68-75
Air temperature 68-73
Humidity 31%
Wind: NW 7 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 7:04 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:40 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
Fishing has picked up considerably this week. I do expect it to slow down a bit with the full moon waning, but as of yesterday (Friday) we have really been enjoying the action.
Conventional gear fisherman Ludo Coenen of Belgium, fished with Martin on the panga Isamar the last six days. They caught, tagged, and released 25 sailfish. Their fish were mostly taken at the 25 mile mark, and a 210º heading.
Another Belgian client, Philippe Collin, fished two days with Santiago on the panga Gitana. They tagged and released five sailfish the first day. Thursday (12/15), because several of us have not had much success on roosters locally, Santiago decided to make the 40 mile run to Papanoa with Philippe. It was a long day, but they released six roosterfish averaging 25- to 35-pounds, a 25-pound jack crevalle, and an 8 pound sierra. All the fish were taken on slow trolled live bait.
I guided Baja n the Fly client, Scott Haynes of Cody, Wyoming, for one day with the flyrod on the Vamonos with Captain Cali. Scott had never used a flyrod in his life, yet alone caught a sailfish. The first fish teased to the boat very well, and within minutes Scott had logged two firsts.
I also guided Baja on Fly client Fred Marx on a beach trip yesterday. We hit the beaches up north near Union and Majahua, and south below the airport at Barra Pototsi. We found sardines and birds crashing on every beach. Unfortunately, the larger 14- to 20-pound jacks were not there. We caught a fair number of fish, but nothing of any size. The black skipjack tuna, green jacks, and sierra were all biting well. The Barra had the most fish and the most promising signs that the big jacks should be moving in there shortly.
Ed Kunze, Zihuatanejo
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 77 - 86
Humidity 66%
Wind WSW 12 mph
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Visibility 8 miles
Sunrise 7:09 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:14 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
Action early in the week was a couple of clicks slow as boats scoured the waters 20 to 40 miles offshore for the mother lode. By mid-week, the herd was found and the action was cooking again. Mr. Wern Blasaditsch and Rodolf Hotter from Germany fishing on the Tranquility, a 31-foot Bertram, had better action each day as the week progressed. Their best day, they raised plenty of sails, releasing double digits all on the fly. Tom Pero, editor of Fish and Fly magazine and professional photographer Walter Hodges fished aboard the Maverick with Sailfish Bay owner Robert Fallon. Since neither had ever fly-fished for billfish before, there was a steep learning curve to deal with. By the end of the week, however, they both had notches on their flyrods for released sailfish; not to mention, plenty of photos and enough stories to impress their friends for some time to come. It will be interesting to see their take on Guatemala Sailfish on the Fly in Fish and Fly magazine some time next year.
Water temperature 78 - 82
Air temperature 80- 84
Humidity 79%
Wind: W 9 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:19 a.m. CST
Sunset 5:38 p.m. CST
East Cape
It was windy and cool all week with not many boats fishing, but the few that ventured out were rewarded with good action for both dorado and stripers.
Lane Garett reported on his trip yesterday: The day began with rough seas and 15kts of wind out of the northwest, but by 8:30 the seas started to settle down and it turned out to be a beautiful day – no wind and light cloud cover.
Because of all the wind earlier in the week, no one had any live bait to sell. We found fair dorado action in the teasers producing moderate action most of the day. There were also a few striped marlin being spotted up toward Punta Pescadero.
While the wind persisted most of the week thrashing the beach, the determined were rewarded with decent action early in the morning for ladyfish, sierra, pompano , lookdowns, jack crevalle and even a few smaller roosterfish. The best action was from Bartle Beach out to the Punta Arena.
Baja on the Fly
Water temperature 79-84
Air temperature 69-77
Humidity 57%
Wind: NNW 15 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 15 miles
Sunrise 6:53 a.m. MST
Sunset 5:36 p.m. MST
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Nov 5, 2005; 10:29AM - Guatemala Current Conditions
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Les Kagel
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Author E-mail: greatsailfishing@yahoo.com
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Report Description:
For this week ending 11-05-05 we had a group that went out fishing Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday. The
fishing was out between 40 and 50 miles and each day they had between 5 to 7 bites and released between one
and two sails. For most boats that went out this week they had between 4 to 8 bites and released between 1 to 5 sails on conventional tackle. Most of
the boats that went out this week also reported catching and keeping dorado and a few tuna. The water continues to improve each day from Hurricane Stan. As far as conditions at the Villas del Pacifico Resort and our private houses they are fine,in fact,one would not know there was a flood if not told. In
short,conditions at the port have returned to normal.
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Sep 13, 2005; 05:43PM - New airline to Christmas Isl.
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Stan Wright
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Author E-mail: stanwright@hawaii.rr.com
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Report Description:
The fishing was great. And starting in September when Pacific Air, out of Fiji, takes over the weekly scheduled flights, it will only take three hours to get there from Honolulu.
Known for fly fishing for bone fish on endless miles of shallow flats, Christmas Island also provided us with excelent action just off shore. Trowling small rapala lures, and jets, we landed yellowfin, aku, ono, baracuda, and GT.
All on spinning tackle. We had fresh fish at every meal.
Drifting the shallow reefs, we landed variety of colorful fish. They attacked flys trailing behind a clear bobber, gold and silver spoons, topwater lures, jerk baits, and soft plastics. Wild action on spinning and baitcasting tackle ranging from 2# test line up to 20# test. Next trip we take som spinners loaded with 60# test braided line for those LARGER G.T.we encountered and just couldn't handle.
Chris got the 2 biggest ulua (GT weighing 33 pound) on a large surface lure and 20# test line.
He was really excited about the 8# omilu (bluefin trevalle) he caught with his 12# test spinning outfit.
I must also say, the fly fishing for bone fish was excelent. Not really big bones (4# was our largest) but there were thousands of them.
Yes Virginia, Christmas Island isn't just for bone fishermen any more.
Aloha,
Stan |
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May 22, 2005; 08:29PM - Guatemala Current Conditions 5-22-05
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: The Great Sailfishing Company
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Author E-mail: greatsailfishing@yahoo.com
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Report Description:
This week brought a lot of rain to the Pacific Coast but no real strong winds or seas because topical storm Adrian was to far south. For those that ventured out Dorado's were in great supply with Fernados Aguilar's 35ft.Cabo landing 123. There were also several boats that had several marlin bites. This coming month of June is Guatemala's rainest month but is the month that usually brings the anlger lots of Dorado and marlin along with those sails.For a up to date report please contact us directly in Guatemala at 011-502-7832-1991 |
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May 12, 2005; 07:13AM - Guatemala trip reports
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Les Kagel
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Author E-mail: greatsailfishing@yahoo.com
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Report Description:
Fishing Report 2004-2005 Season
APRIL 2005
Guatemala’s best sailfish Sportfishing vacations
Most of the 2004-2005 bill fishing season is over and below are the results. Compared to other years, this last fishing season saw an increase in families sail fishing with us as well as an increase in anglers from Europe. This year we are adding a new twist to our fishing reports…the numbers is parenthesis (1-2-3) represent the following: (1.released fish, 2.fish that took the bait, 3. raised fish). We wish to thank all our customers that came to Guatemala; thanks to you The Great Sailfishing Company had a great year. Thank you and tight lines.
APRIL
Mr. Michael Dryer and friends.
• 3rd. Bora Bora: (1 released, 3 bites, 3 raised) sails and a 250lb marlin.
Mr. Patrick Moncamp and friends.
Patrick and friends visited us from France.
• 3rd. Stragos: (5 released, 9 bites, 12 raised) sails and two 25lb+ dorado on the fly.
• 4th. Stragos: (4 released, 9 bites, 17 raised) sails and 5 small dorado on the fly.
• 5th. Stragos: (4 released, 8 bites, 14 raised) sails and three 20lb+ dorado on the fly.
• 6th. Stragos: (0 released, 1 bite, 2 raised) sails.
• 7th. Stragos: (1 released, 1 bite, 1 raised) sails and 11 dorado of various sizes on the fly.
Mr. Kevin Styles
• 7th. Piragua: (2 released, 2 bites, 3 raised) sails.
• 8th. Piragua: (10 released, 12 bites, 15 raised) sails.
• 10th. Piragua: (12 released, 15 bites, 20 raised) sails, three 12lb+ dorado and one 450lb marlin. After a couple of bites on the fly, the group decided to fish conventionally.
• 11th. Piragua: (10 released, 14 bites, 18 raised) sails.
Mr. Lindell
• 7th. Bora Bora: (1 released, 2 bites, 3 raised) sails on the fly.
• 8th. Stragos: (11 released, 16 bites, 19 raised) sails and four (two 25lb+, two 40lb+) dorado on the fly.
Mr. Bob Giles
• 7th. Tranquility: (1 released, 2 bites) sails on the fly.
• 8th. Tranquility: (7 released, 12 bites) sails and 7 dorado (2 of them 40lb+) on the fly.
• 9th. Tranquility: (2 released, 6 bites) on the fly.
Mr. Waters, son in-law and friends
• 14th. Stragos: (9 released, 13 bites, 14 raised) sails, 9 tuna of various sizes and two 20lb+ dorado.
Phil
• 16th. Gimena (27 foot Grady-White): (2 released, 4 bites, 6 raised) sails, six 10lb+ dorado and 1 small tuna.
Lic. José Javier Peña & family.
• 17th. Stragos: (7 released, 14 bites, 18 raised) sails, one 15lb+ dorado and 3 medium sized yellow fin tuna.
Mrs. Kathy Arth
22nd. Bora Bora: (17 released, 25 bites, 32 raised) sails.
Mr. Michael Spencer
23rd. Bora Bora: (18 released, 38 bites, 44 raised) sails.
Mr. Richard Canaday
24th. Bora Bora: (16 released, 35 bites , 45 raised) sails.
Mr. Mike Basquez & son.
26th. Tranquility: (2 released, 10 bites) sails.
27th. Tranquility: (5 released, 6 bites), ten 8 to 10lb dorado and 2 tuna.
28th. Tranquility: (3 released, 5 bites) sails.
29th. Tranquility (4 released, 9 bites) sails
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Feb 1, 2005; 08:51AM - Guatemala Sizzles, Others Struggle
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Gary Graham
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Author E-mail: gary.1940@gmail.com
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Report Description:
For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
East Cape
Yvonne and Gary will attend the International Sportsmen’s Expo in San Mateo, CA, February 3-6. If you are attending the show, don’t miss Gary’s presentations on –
Friday, 5:30 Baja on the Fly Techniques You Can Use
A few sierra inshore and from the beach can be found on the calm days, usually at gray light before the wind cranks up. Wind . . . rain . . . more wind seemed to be the name of that tune most of the week. Hopefully, this week will be better.
Water temperature 70-74
Air temperature 66-69
Humidity 43%
Wind: NNW 17 mph
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:00 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:03 p.m. MST
Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico
Squirrelly weather including some rain kept most of the fleet close to home. Only fair fishing reported at the entrada on the good days. A few small yellows and grouper were the best anyone could come up with. The esteros above Lopez Mateos produced fair action for small sierra and a few grouper. The locals continue preparations for the upcoming annual celebration of the whales, “Festival Ballena Gris,” Feb. 12.
Water temperature 69-75
Air temperature 64-71
Humidity 25%
Wind: North 2 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 3 miles
Sunrise 7:10 a.m. MST
Sunset 6:08 p.m. MST
Zihuatanejo, Mainland Mexico
The blue water is just off the beach, but earlier in the week the full moon had put a bit of a brake on the good action we had been having. However, yesterday (Friday), the fishing picked up again with the boats averaging a couple of sailfish each per day, plus a very good showing of 20 to 35 pound dorado.
Frustrated by only raising 3 or 4 sailfish a day earlier in the week, client Rich Pietila of Odessa, Texas asked Martin on the panga Isamar to go 40 miles and see if they could get some action on the yellowfin tuna. They did not find any tuna, but on the way back they saw a lot of sailfish at the 30 mile mark. Using only hookless lures, as we do when fly fishing, they would tease the fish to the boat, but dropped back with a live bait on a 30 pound rig. They tagged and released 6 in a very short time. The next day they targeted this group of new fish, and what a day they had. With more than 30 fish raising to the spread, they tagged and released 12.
The roosterfish are still very slow and will probably not pick up again until July. Inshore, the small game fishing is decent and we are even getting quite a few chulas. A chula (kawa kawa) is a small tuna, with teeth.
Baja on the Fly report by Ed Kunze
Water temperature 80 - 84
Air temperature 75 - 86
Humidity 70%
Wind: 12 mph from the West
Conditions: Scattered Clouds
Visibility 10 miles
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:39 p.m. CST
San Jose, Guatemala
The weather has again been excellent, the fishing has been in as close as 10 miles, and as far as 25 on some boats that ranged out a bit. I only received stats for one day this week, but in that one day, 8 boats were out using conventional gear, and had 197 hooked sailfish and managed to release 148 of those for an average of 19 releases per boat on conventional gear. Two of the 10 boats out were on the fly and got hooks in 22 sails and managed to release 14 of them at the boat. Marlin also made a strong showing with three blues released. It’s not a bad day when 37% of the fleet releases 300-450 pound-class marlin on 30-50 pound gear. Dorado were also around and being brought in with the largest going 40 pounds. Inshore, there continues to be consistent action on roosters when we have had our crews out practicing their teasing skills on roosters and jacks, their just have not been any clients taking advantage. Water clarity is great, and most of the action is taking place in the blue water.
San Jose, Guatemala report by Brian Barragy and Lissa McFarlin
Water temperature 72 - 82
Air temperature 78 - 80
Humidity 94%
Wind: NE 8 mph
Conditions: Clear
Visibility 6 miles
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. CST
Sunset 6:01 p.m. CST
For additional information: bajafly@bajafly.com
USA toll-free (800) 919-2252 or 760/746-7260; Mexico 011-52-624-14-10373
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Sep 5, 2003; 04:21PM - Guatemala August 2003
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: The Great Sailfishing Company
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Author E-mail: info@greatsailfishing.com
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Report Description:
On the 28th of August, Larry and Tony Crosby along with their lifelong friend James Williamson of New York City came down to Guatemala for their second fishing trip. They stayed at the Villas del Pacífico Resort in one, one bedroom mini suite with kitchen, and one single room. They really liked the resort and explained that they all enjoyed going to the weekend disco and floorshow.
August 29th. They boarded the La Piragua (31’ Bertram) at about 7:00 A.M. at the new Pez Vela Marina. All of our boats leave from the new marina assuring a safe and uneventful passage to the Pacific. The other passage that some operators use is the old inlet, this is very dangerous with several accidents happening every year. Sometimes boats need to wait up to 30 minutes for the right set of waves before getting out to the Pacific. Because of the storms in Mexico causing a lot of green water, the La Piragua needed to go 50 miles before reaching blue water. The fishing was slow; however, they did catch and release two nice sized sails and brought back one Dorado. They also caught one Yellow-fin tuna that the crew made into a huge bowl of ceviche, which they really enjoyed. After returning to the hotel, getting refreshed and partaking of the large buffet they had drinks at the bar while enjoying a round of pool.
August 30th. On this day the La Piragua was set for a day of inshore fishing. The day produced five roosterfish, six Spanish mackerel and several Jacks. They retired early after another grand meal at the Villas del Pacifico’s buffet.
On the 31st we all took a nice leisurely drive to the Spanish Colonial city of Antigua Guatemala, going from sea level to 5300ft in about an hour. On the way we passed by sugarcane fields near the coast, shade grown coffee plants in the mountains and by the base of three volcanoes. Once in Antigua sightseeing and shopping were in order along cobble stone covered street. The night was spent at Casa Santo Domingo, the premier hotel in Antigua Guatemala. It was a convent, dating back to 1547, which was converted into what is arguably the most beautiful hotel in the city.
September 1st. We could tell Casa Santo Domingo had worked its magic (candles and old-fashioned lamps, statues of saints and other Spanish Colonial relics, bird of paradise plants, fountains, etc.) last night. We drove among the mountains from Antigua to Guatemala City in about an hour, taking one of the Crosby brothers to the airport. Afterwards, some sightseeing along the streets and avenues of the city was done before checking in at the Guatemala City Intercontinental Hotel, the premier hotel in the city. We said goodbye to our new friends then and wished them a safe trip back the next day.
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Mar 17, 2003; 02:56PM - Venice Louisiana Report
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Category: Saltwater
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Author Name: Capt. Scott Avanzino
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Author E-mail: avanzino@yahoo.com
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Report Description:
Been putting a hurt on the amberjacks and grouper on the slow tuna days avergaing and easy limit of jacks and at least one large warsaw from 30-60 pounds as well as a few scamps and yellowedge groupers....the 70 degree bluewater has moved in but fishing is surprisingly slow for trolling. Last year during this same time we were hammering the wahoo. Only caught 2 last week along with a 8 twenty pound blackfin tuna in open water.
The big story of the week was the 400 pound mako we released....not intentionally...It was the highlight of Thursday after spotting a dark blue and black fin among the busting tuna. The hookup and fight went smooth since we had a bonita on wire in the box and the 'mako rod' in the ready in the rack. My angler Houston from O'Conner Oil and Gas in Lafayette did a great job all by himself with a potential record fish on the line. He hung in for 1 and 45 minute doing a great job...the fish made 5 jumps at various times and came to the transom 3 times before running off 100 yards of line...we got great pictures of the of the fish on Tim and Jon O'Conner's digital (will post on my home page photo sight when I get them)...Just to tell you how unpredicatble these guys are is a whole separate story. The one we green gaffed a few weeks ago was tame compared to this one...
Had rehearsed the process before attempting anything and had a 22 caliber with hollow points on the ready. Decided to let the deckhand Sonny do the honors while I manuevered. He precisely planted the 8' flyer deep into the back (a perfiect shot) and the fish went nuts spinning and thrashing behind the boat 4 feet from the cockpit. Somehow the 100# mainline and 250# windon broke in the calamity. I decided to leave the controls to help out Sonny with the rope. I was able to get him closer to the boat but for every foot I would gain he would get a little deeper until he turned and made a run under the boat. I asked the closest bystander to the controls to put the boat in gear and he hit the throttles by accident...by the time I ran back to the controls to get in gear the rope holding the gaff to the cleat came undone yanking Sonny clean out of the cockpit and into the water. Fortunately Sonny cam up rattled and clear of the running gear a little rattled and without boots...not a perfect catch and release but a catch and release!
As we were discussing what we learned I was thankful that we always keep a knife in a utility belt at all times...next time we will be sure to do the cleating ourselves...and for sure check it before the gaff shot....it had turned out that the loop end of the flying gaff rope had been hurriedly looped around the cleat instaed of secured...the slack in the line pulled the loop free and when the boat went into gear the fish took the whole line and Sonny with it.
Paradise Outfitters...504-451-7579
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