Started working a GunFish in the flattish surface and was rewarded with a nice 2lb fish which gave a good account of itself. Moved along to the rocky area and started working my way out onto the reef covering new and clearer water. About the 5th cast I decided to put one along side the exposed rocks, and 40 yards out a big fish hit the GunFish hard. I could immediately see this fish was something special, and 3 times it got me behind massive boulders scrapping the braid as it thumped seaward. No great runs, just the constant head-shaking and use of its weight. Finally I had no choice other then to tighten down the drag and Horse the girl over several rock formations and to the base of the rock I was standing on.
My inital appraisal of this being something special was confirmed and when breaking my camera after 2 shots and having to revert to the iphone, I felt the need to get the fish back into the water asap. Five minutes spent reviving her in a large rockpool, then I lifted her into the sea and she swam off strongly.
Only regret. Joe was fishing close by, but didnt answer his phone. I should have kept her in the Rockpool til I got Joe, then I would have had the glory shot. ,
Love it Dave, congrats!
ReplyDeleteHow did it go on the rod?
Rich, the rod was awesome. When she first hit me she went straight out and behind a car sized boulder and i could feel the braid scrapping. Sure I was going to loose her, I
ReplyDeletetightened the drag and Horsed her back and over the rock which was only a foot below the surface, 40 yards out. The rod was so good I didnt notice its performance, it just did the job dragging her clear of the snags while she was still full of fight.Never crossed my mind the rod wasn't up to it, always felt it had lots in reserve.
I didnt realise how much I'd wound the drag on until I tried to pull some line off later while putting the lure in its keeper, I couldnt pull any.
Love it Dave!
ReplyDeleteI'm now chasing you........respect buddy, fish of a lifetime.