or how many trophies didjya LOSE, before you
started landing them with sum degree of consistency???

would any of our wily veterans care to elaborate?
so far i'm 0 for 5, and have the numbness and nightmares
that go with them. also, is there a number LOST per year?

thanks in advance for yer thoughts, just trying to gauge my level
of ineptitude; somewhere between normal and "always a bridesmaid"
:grins: :wall: :wall: :grins:

Bassdawg,
Not sure what you consider a monster but I'm figuring over 35 or so. The one thing that increased my hook-up land ratio was using heavy tackle. There is a fine line between you having the bass and them having their way with you. When I first started casting I as using a 9 foot medium stick with 15 lb line on a penn 704. With that outfit I was praying when hooked up to something I really wanted to land - that oufit just didn't have the balls to take care of big fish in rocky conditions I fished around. I learned my lesson and went to a medium heavy 10 ft stick with 20 lb line on the 704 and increased my land ratio quite a bit. Now there are very few times I feel outgunned by larger bass. I'm very confident that I will be able to touch the cows that I hook-up - then let them swim away.

DZ

I second the heavier tackle. I lost a couple the first year or so i was seriously fishing. I juiced up all the tackle, and now when i lose em its more of an act of god. Pulled hook, bad luck on a rock, or like this fall on block, geting blind sided by a monster wave while fighting a fish and losing tension.

Use of single hook. Very rarely will you drop a big bass on a single J style hook ala, using live eels , rigged eels, bucktails , shads, rigged sluggo, and fin-s fish etc. Treble hooks on plugs are a nightmare. Ratio of landed big fish with these is not good. Heavier tackle also helps.

Second the heavier tackle. Don't forget to upgrade Hooks, Split rings, etc. Keep the hooks sharp. Rear hook - make a flag or use a siwash - Less likely a big girl will get leverage to pop the front hook.

I've been at this for a long time and 26lber is the best I have to show.
I've lost count of the 30+lbers I've lost,its been so many its sickening.
Most have unhooked themselves literally right at the waterline.

Someday I keep telling myself.

How do you know they are monsters getting away if you have never caught one and you never get to see the fish? I have had outings where I cach fish in the 40 lb. class only to think the next one is bigger because it fights harder. When it comes time to lip it, the harder fighting fish is mid 20's.
Patience is an important attribute when fighting large fish. Let the rod and reel work for you,don't try to horse it through the guides.

How do you know they are monsters getting away if you have never caught one and you never get to see the fish? I have had outings where I cach fish in the 40 lb. class only to think the next one is bigger because it fights harder. When it comes time to lip it, the harder fighting fish is mid 20's.
Patience is an important attribute when fighting large fish. Let the rod and reel work for you,don't try to horse it through the guides.

In my case I've seen many of the fish,some of which I was reaching down to actually grab.

Trust some of these fish were HUGE.

I am lucky...I went from dinks to cows right off the bat in the 90's...big girls were abundant to where I was taken and I stepped up as I was told and got heavy equipment....I can honestly say we landed almost every large we hooked, for years....it was sandy beaches, eels, sharp hooks and alot of time spent...it was easy.
For the past 5 years or so...things have taken a step backwards. I say due to lack of fish in those spots (seals), not fishing eels that often and not playing the fish right when hooked up in shallow rocky areas. I have had alot of heartbreakers the past few....

Basswipe, something is radically wrong if you are losing alot of big fish at that late stage of the fight. Be more specific. Also, I agree with Seadangles, unless you see the fish, you really never know how big they are. It seems like every season I'll catch a fish and think it's alot bigger until I get it close and land it. Believe me, I been "disappointed" with 38 pound fish that fought and felt like much, much bigger bass. The scale is THE true tell.

Basswipe, something is radically wrong if you are losing alot of big fish at that late stage of the fight. Be more specific. Also, I agree with Seadangles, unless you see the fish, you really never know how big they are. It seems like every season I'll catch a fish and think it's alot bigger until I get it close and land it. Believe me, I been "disappointed" with 38 pound fish that fought and felt like much, much bigger bass. The scale is THE true tell.

Radically wrong is an understatement.I've had reels explode,rods shatter,line snap.I've fallen on my ass or gone for an unintentional swim with fish on.I've had 6xVMCs straighten out.I'm no slouch on gear and maintenance.Everything gets checked on a regular basis.

And yet I've landed literally several dozen 18+ pound bluefish.In one particular instance several 20+(one was tipped the scale at just over 22) with no issues.I know the weights to be accurate as a majority of the 20+ fish were actually weighed.

Landing big bass just seem to elude me.

Boy basswipe, that's too bad. You have some rotten luck!

Radically wrong is an understatement.I've had reels explode,rods shatter,line snap.I've fallen on my ass or gone for an unintentional swim with fish on.I've had 6xVMCs straighten out.I'm no slouch on gear and maintenance.Everything gets checked on a regular basis.

And yet I've landed literally several dozen 18+ pound bluefish.In one particular instance several 20+(one was tipped the scale at just over 22) with no issues.I know the weights to be accurate as a majority of the 20+ fish were actually weighed.

Landing big bass just seem to elude me.

6xVMCs don't straighten out !
Anyone who uses them knows that.
The break or snap !

Something that might help like Dangles said is patience and keeping calm. Try not to get two worked up, relax and enjoy the fight. Recently I was aked to go fish for Steelhead. I was very fortunate to be shown this fishery by a few veteran steelheaders. It is different than striper fishing but landing the big fish is the same. The large fish that could be landed generally were going to be landed by those guys who were confident and knew how to fight them from experience. I lost the first five fish I hooked because I freaked out. I had so much adrenilne pumping I couldn't think. Each fish I hooked I fought longer than the next till I eventually landed one. Knowing your area is also a key. Knowing when to let the fish run and when to put pressure is a big part. Having knots and everything in top condition is a must. If there is any weak part in your system it will be found. No amount of "practice"beats the actual time hooked up with a large fish. There is no way to get a feel for them until you have spent enough time battling them. Loosing the battle only makes you more aware of your mistakes. Fix those mistakes in the next fight and you are closer to landing that fish. Repeat each mistake and you loose.

THANKS very much gentlemen!!

still no count from anyone,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

DZ, i am speaking of fish in the 50# and up range.
while it is true ya never know til they hit the scale,
it IS easy to tell the difference when the beast stays low and you can feel her shoulders as she peels line off as if she's not even hooked while she's trying to spool you, or hunkers down to break you off.

i seem to be doing well with the 30# to 38#+ class and have landed
several in that range in the past couple of years,,,,,,,so i have a pretty good read on how that feels. also, i've had a couple of BIGGUNS within sight, and two of them have jumped to reveal their approximate size.

i sharpen my hooks religiously, change leaders often, have learned some more about how to 'play the fish' amongst the rocks, got the strumming thing down when they hunker, and feel confident about setting the hook and having solid hook sets.

i guess for me it is the LAHHHGE ones that i remember the most,
every second, every nuance of the battle, and all my effff upps.

thanks again Chris, Dennis, and Steve. hoping for MUCH
better results in '09~~ God Willing and the Good Lord Providing.
:kewl: :kewl: :kewl:

Something that might help like Dangles said is patience and keeping calm. Try not to get two worked up, relax and enjoy the fight. Recently I was aked to go fish for Steelhead. I was very fortunate to be shown this fishery by a few veteran steelheaders. It is different than striper fishing but landing the big fish is the same. The large fish that could be landed generally were going to be landed by those guys who were confident and knew how to fight them from experience. I lost the first five fish I hooked because I freaked out. I had so much adrenilne pumping I couldn't think. Each fish I hooked I fought longer than the next till I eventually landed one. Knowing your area is also a key. Knowing when to let the fish run and when to put pressure is a big part. Having knots and everything in top condition is a must. If there is any weak part in your system it will be found. No amount of "practice"beats the actual time hooked up with a large fish. There is no way to get a feel for them until you have spent enough time battling them. Loosing the battle only makes you more aware of your mistakes. Fix those mistakes in the next fight and you are closer to landing that fish. Repeat each mistake and you loose.

WOW, very well said Tynan!

and exactly where i am, thanks for the encouragement
aand for sharing yer progression. i do believe that '09 is THE year!!!

I might not be the best one to comment (as I don't catch a lot of monsters), but the biggest fish that I ever had on, I landed. Now, let it be said that this was on a boat, but it took me and my crew by surprise, and I caught it on a rod built for schoolies (on a 40 year old boat). The fish took 180 yards of line off a 965 on a 7 foot gloomis, and my buddies couldn't figure out how to pull the anchor or start the engine, so I was stuck.
Kept my wits about me, was patient, and didn't choke by tightening the drag when I was almost out of line.
Hard to say what I would have done on a rock at night (probably would have never believed that there was that much line out), but be patient, keep an eye out for what's going on around you, AND DON'T SCREW UP WHEN THE FISH IS IN CLOSE.
That's my best advice, but then again, it's been a while since I have had a big fish on, sooooo.

thanks emgred and Rick!!!
:kewl: :kewl: :kewl:

good stuff gents, patience seems to be
the operative word, and HEAVY GEAR!!!

i currently run 25#BCountry on the spool, to
(was thinking of stepping up to 30# spool line)

60# Ande pink mono snelled, to
a 6/0~8/0 Gammi, Octopus, dependent
on the size of snakes i'm slingin',,,,,,,,,,
:uhuh: :uhuh: :uhuh:

BassDawg This is what helped me the most Backoff your drag untill you can pull line off your reel between your pinky and your thumb and when a fish takes half a spool of line backoff the drag some more. YouDON,T want that big fish untill it has pulled off a couple hunderd yds.I think that will knock the fight out of her before she get stoshore rocks. hope this helps. DON,T GET STAGE FRIGHT AND TIGHTEN THE DRAG

As far as BIG bass go, (40+ in my opinion,) I landed one this season (43.5) and lost one this season that I estimate being a bit bigger... 50? I'd like to think so, but more likely a bass in the 40# class... Lost it along a rocky shoreline at low tide. This fish would not stop... just could not turn it... BUT I realised the second i lost it that it was mostly my fault. the line broke off on a rock, and yes, it was dead low boulders... but my error was that as soon as I hooked it and the fight just started, I was already moving away from the point/shelf i was on and started walking to where I planned on landing it WAY too early. so as it went out, and the further back I walked, the lower the line got to the rocks and I had no leverage... snap. I learned, believe me.

If you fish a light drag,you'll get the fish.

seems that people who never landed a big fish lose them while people who have landed big fish rarely lose them

I don't care how long you have been at this game and how good you think you are, you are still going to drop a few big fish each year. I do. Hooked wrong, over confident knick in the braid you didn't notice, snap came open.

Anyone who doesn't acknowledge stuff like that happening when you fish five out of 7 nights a week in season is full of poo. IMHO.

seems that people who never landed a big fish lose them while people who have landed big fish rarely lose them

I think you hit the nail on the head. I haven't lost many real big ones because I don't fish enough to come across a lot of the 45 plus # fish. But there was one last year that if it had got off, I would have sworn I had a 50 + on. I fought the thing for literally 20 minutes taking it easy to tire her out because I was sure it was my new PB. Finally as I'm getting line in and getting her close to the boat, I see it was just foul hooked. I couldn't believe it took me 20 minutes to brign a 22lb fish to the boat.

Well I caught the first 2, so called monsters, I hate that word monster, I ever hooked on back to back nites. I really never gave it a premeditated thought as to how I would ever fight a fish like that and certainly didn't have time to think about while it was happening. I was a novice for sure at the time, still could be . I guess luck was on my side and has to have something to do with it. I did do a better job on the second nite as I kind of knew what to expect but still nerve wracking. A lot of things can go wrong and none did so I was lucky. I will say i lost a very large fish while trolling T&W about 5 years ago. I lost that due to not having enough patience for the fish to exhaust itself and just pulled too hard as I was sick of waiting. I will never do that again. Worse thing is I saw the bugger several times. Wish I hadn't. Nothing better than the adrenaline rush of knowing you have something good on the line that you may not be able to touch.

6xVMCs don't straighten out !
Anyone who uses them knows that.
The break or snap !

Had one straightened this year in the Canal. The fish felt like a truck tire. Long fight but no sight of the fish.

seems that people who never landed a big fish lose them while people who have landed big fish rarely lose them

huh??

john, you studing rocket science over the winter??

and why you online anyway, get to work buildin!!

i heard montauk's out of your darters!

too many

Been at this 40 years and still lost a couple of monsters this year. One comes to mind in particular. Wire line, Montauk bunker spoon in the lower bay. Had the big girl on for 20 minutes got her to the boat twice. The second time I had her right in back of the motor. I estimated her at better than 60#. She swam away, wrapped me on a lobster pot line and that's all she wrote.

You just never know.....

Sh!te happens...
All you can do is pay attention,make adjustments,Make sure your gear is up to the task and pray.For me it is easier to land good fish from a jetty than from the beach.You don't have that strong undertow to deal with on the jetty's. I see so many try to horse good fish through the waves instead of using the water to their advantage.I also have noticed folks don't let the fish do their thing.You have to know when to hold em and know when to let em run.I seem to get in a trance when I get a good one on.Reveling in the moment..I like to enjoy the ride..
Then there are times there are not too many options.Where the fish wins.I always tip my hat to em knowing they may have won this battle while my skills put in the position to have the opportunity.My friend was hunting the other day said to me he had the bow drawn back for ten minutes on a huge buck.He never got the chance for the shot.Was he disappointed well somewhat but he did his homework and He got to at least come this close to the trophy of a lifetime..Thats all you can really ask for,a chance.
You can't push the issue.It's senseless really.
Good Karma helps..
Go help a old lady across the road.

I think a lot of the above advice is spot and technique specific. Letting a large (and that term is relative to the tackle you are using) fish take a lot of line may work well over sand or with a single hook, but with plugs in strong current or in a shallow boulder fields fighting a fish on a long line stacks the odds against you.

It may help to think of the fight as four stages. There is the take, roll, thrashing bit....where it is easy to get too rough and pull free. The run.......where how much pressure you can or need to risk depends on the strength of your attachment to the fish (i.e., hook/line strength) and what/where the obstructions you will need to deal with lie. The work back.........where keeping the fish coming with its head up while avoiding slack or prolonged pumping that opens hook holes is key. And the landing....... where the angle of pull and degree of tension on the fish changes quickly and some lightening of forces is usually necessary.

When I think about it, however, once you are past the ego stage of fishing where the size of what you catch and kill makes you feel good about yourself there are two main reasons to seek big fish,.......because they are a challenge to find and hook, and because once you hook them they can and often do beat you. So you smile, give them their due, and try again. Not a bad thing.

I think a lot of the above advice is spot and technique specific. Letting a large (and that term is relative to the tackle you are using) fish take a lot of line may work well over sand or with a single hook, but with plugs in strong current or in a shallow boulder fields fighting a fish on a long line stacks the odds against you.

It may help to think of the fight as four stages. There is the take, roll, thrashing bit....where it is easy to get too rough and pull free. The run.......where how much pressure you can or need to risk depends on the strength of your attachment to the fish (i.e., hook/line strength) and what/where the obstructions you will need to deal with lie. The work back.........where keeping the fish coming with its head up while avoiding slack or prolonged pumping that opens hook holes is key. And the landing....... where the angle of pull and degree of tension on the fish changes quickly and some lightening of forces is usually necessary.

When I think about it, however, once you are past the ego stage of fishing where the size of what you catch and kill makes you feel good about yourself there are two main reasons to seek big fish,.......because they are a challenge to find and hook, and because once you hook them they can and often do beat you. So you smile, give them their due, and try again. Not a bad thing.


Good points Geo,I might add to the landing stage there is th last ditch effort.I have seen many fish lost when the fish makes his last run.Usually as they near the waters edge they realize this is not good and will try with all they have left.On a short line this can be bad.I sometimes will loosen the drag a click at this point and cup the spool lightly to keep just enough pressure on em.
I still think about the one over fifty I lost at my feet..As time goes on I think that it is not that important anymore.I don't NEED a 50 lb fish to justify the sport..I have gotten so much from it already...
Releasing one would be the ultimate in Poetic Justice.IMO
When I think about the evolution of my fishing life.I am a long ways away from the kid who threw his rod down in the sand to tackle his first keeper..:eek5:

I am a long ways away from the kid who threw his rod down in the sand to tackle his first keeper..:eek5:

Don't kid yourself....

Don't kid yourself....

Thanks I think..
My grey beard and creaky body might suggest otherwise.
I'll always be a child at heart..:hihi:

BD, at this point I've finally realized that your most important piece of equipment in landing large fish is between your ears.

Tackle failure happens, even to the most diligent. I've always believed that luck is for the ill-prepared but while it doesn't hurt, eventually luck alone will desert you at the worst time. While I say I'd rather be lucky than good, the guys I've fished with who are the most successful - beyond what they've acquired over years of time in the surf - are fully focused and relaxed - in other words, they put themselves in the zone.

How you get there is up to you. Like Cool Hand Luke, you gotta get your mind right after you've got the mechanical nuances down.

Besides, if you were banging big fish without fail every time you went out I think some of the magic would go out of it for me. It's the uncertainty that makes it what it is - if it was a guarantee every time, it would just end up being like having another job for me, personally.

Nothing truly worth having comes easy.

Nothing truly worth having comes easy.

Amen

Tie your knots at home. Use good hooks, F sharpening a 40 cent hook,throw it away. I have listened too long to the referance of the quest for big fish as an ego trip. NOTHING in the hunt for Striped Bass compares to the adrenaline rush you get when fighting a fish you KNOW is a corker. Once you have done it, it will consume you. There is a certain amount of ego involved in all fishing, even the satisfaction the twins get from fooling fish with artificials has an allure. There is a time and place for everything, it's just that nobody knows where and when all the time. Some folks who have made the commitment to learning their waters may make advances one season only to have the following year serve you humble pie. This may be referred to as some as an ego check. Call it what you wish,anything that makes you happy can qualify as stroking your ego.

Fair enough. I should have said "...once you get past the reputation/fame need to catch and kill big fish.....". Personal satisfaction and ego gratification are always part of fishing and why we fish the way we do, whether we stalk fish with a flyrod on foot, or in a boat with electronics, bait, and lead......and whether we do it anonymously or publicly.

And, Chris, before you get too animated, I do not feel that catching and killing big fish for reputation purposes is anything other than a normal stage most fishermen go through.

George, we all have egos that need carressing at some point. I have many acquaintances that range from roofers to lawyers,even some doctors like yourself. Some of these doctors don't feel the need to announce their accomplishments or proffession by preceding their surname with Dr., as others choose to for no reason other than ego gratification. So please enjoy your cake today. Happy Holidays, Chris

I do not feel that catching and killing big fish for reputation purposes is anything other than a normal stage most fishermen go through.

Very true.....the fisherman's evolution in my mind is as follows....

1. Wide eyed newcomer.

2. Enthusiast/know it all.

3. Accomplished enthusiast.

4. Acclaimed/celebrated enthusiast.

5. Show off/egomaniac.

6. Accomplished pro who realizes he really doesn't know %$%$%$%$ and there really is a lot of luck/chance involved.

7. Humble veteran who would rather not be known at all and does it for fun.

Very true.....the fisherman's evolution in my mind is as follows....

1. Wide eyed newcomer.

2. Enthusiast/know it all.

3. Accomplished enthusiast.

4. Acclaimed/celebrated enthusiast.

5. Show off/egomaniac.

6. Accomplished pro who realizes he really doesn't know %$%$%$%$ and there really is a lot of luck/chance involved.

7. Humble veteran who would rather not be known at all and does it for fun.

So if you tell everyone you are a #7 what # does that make you?

Actually I think in some cases #7 is a humble guy who knows a lot and realizes it's more fun to share it and watch other people enjoy, than take it to the grave with him.

So if you tell everyone you are a #7 what # does that make you?


Good point. If you tell anyone, then by default you become a #5...:laugha:

Quite the twisted flow chart I put together here, isn't it?

More to the point of this thread is if you value yourself or another angler simply by what is caught then you're not seeing the full picture.

George, we all have egos that need carressing at some point. I have many acquaintances that range from roofers to lawyers,even some doctors like yourself. Some of these doctors don't feel the need to announce their accomplishments or proffession by preceding their surname with Dr., as others choose to for no reason other than ego gratification. So please enjoy your cake today. Happy Holidays, Chris

Chris, I'm not sure what my profession has to do with this discussion, but since it seems to bother you, please be informed the editors at OTW (who reside in the same town as I) made that decision on their own, not at my request nor with my fore knowledge. I'm not sure why you think how someone earns a living carries any weight in the fishing community, aren't all men equal in the eyes of a fish? Anyways, thanks for your good wishes, now where do I get some cake? :rolleyes:

Pie in the Sky???

Dr. George, since you seem convinced that my fishing is ego driven due to the fact I catch and kill or target large I made an effort to show you what it feels like to be accused of the same. I am sorry if you missed my point. I would also like to apologize if in fact the title was provided by OTW. No disrespect intended but it did come across as pompous as well as hypocritical based on your ego accusations. Again, my bad.

aren't all men equal in the eyes of a fish?


There's actually a well defined piscatorial pecking order.....eelers on top and, of course, everyone else on the bottom.

How do you know they are monsters getting away if you have never caught one and you never get to see the fish? I have had outings where I cach fish in the 40 lb. class only to think the next one is bigger because it fights harder. When it comes time to lip it, the harder fighting fish is mid 20's.
Patience is an important attribute when fighting large fish. Let the rod and reel work for you,don't try to horse it through the guides.

Exactly.....It's not a monster until it's at your feet on dry land or in your hands when you're in the water.. Heavy tackle, quick reaction, smart decision making, patience, appropriate pressure, and a good hook set all play a role.

6xVMCs don't straighten out !
Anyone who uses them knows that.
The break or snap !

you can bend the trebles.

bass dawg,
careful with the gami octopus hooks. those will snap.

6xVMCs don't straighten out !
Anyone who uses them knows that.
The break or snap !

Scuse me.Physics says they have to start straightning before they break.

Like I said I've Straightened 6X's.I ain't a %$%$%$%$ing liar.

Must be %$%$%$%$ing Winter.

Very true.....the fisherman's evolution in my mind is as follows....

1. Wide eyed newcomer.

2. Enthusiast/know it all.

3. Accomplished enthusiast.

4. Acclaimed/celebrated enthusiast.

5. Show off/egomaniac.

6. Accomplished pro who realizes he really doesn't know %$%$%$%$ and there really is a lot of luck/chance involved.

7. Humble veteran who would rather not be known at all and does it for fun.


I'm not sure I want to move up the totem pole in this tribe..
That is unless I am already at number seven.In which case you all are beneath me.
Wait, that wouldn't make me very humble then would it.
I guess I fall into the NIBulas realm of purgatory between six and seven..:tm:
This reminds me of a chapter from Dante's Book..:conf:
I just wanna go to PITS..:humpty:

Dr. George, since you seem convinced that my fishing is ego driven due to the fact I catch and kill or target large I made an effort to show you what it feels like to be accused of the same. I am sorry if you missed my point. I would also like to apologize if in fact the title was provided by OTW. No disrespect intended but it did come across as pompous as well as hypocritical based on your ego accusations. Again, my bad.

Chris, please let's stop this. It distracts from the good things about this board. Other people probably find our behavior venial as well.

Let me try to clarify where I stand. I consider you an excellent fisherman, one of the best on the site, and certainly better than myself. I respect your knowledge, hard work, and well deserved success. How you fish doesn't matter to me. Really. Sauerkraut, one of the guys I fish the most, uses eels whenever conditions allow. That you keep fish doesn't matter to me. Earlybird (a lurker), the other guy I fish with most often, always keeps a fish to eat (and so do I to give to someone on occasion). What you do with your fish doesn't matter to me (I kill plenty practicing C&R). I don't even think you are the kind of guy who keeps fish to parade them around. Absolutely I don't blame you for keeping one to win a VS. I don't blame you for selling them legally, (I don't know that you even do). ProfM is a friend and a commercial fisherman.

I think you have excellent reason to be proud of your success as a fisherman, and no reason to be defensive about that pride. We all need things to support our self esteem, and being good at catching large fish is a healthy (and enviable) thing to excel at. That's probably the goal of most of us here on the site. You are also clearly intelligent, literate, and insightful. I agree, for instance, that both the article title (which was mine...though not the DR bit) and (even worse) at times the tone of the OTW article I wrote came across as pompous, but its intent was to help and encourage people to become better fisherman.....not to build my reputation.

For my part, I love to plug and I like to preach its joys to the uninitiated, who I fear get inundated with the mentality that if you are not soaking bait you are not going to catch anything good, and I love to tease the non-believers (even if they've got a point). I also worry about the pressure on big bass and want to encourage people to release them (primarily so I'll have a better chance to catch one, admittedly). I do not think I am smarter or better than you or anyone else. I've been humbled and ashamed too many times to go there anymore.

So let's try over again and keep it friendly. I'd rather learn from you than fight with you. Merry Christmas, Chris.

George

MERRY CHRISTMAS MIKE. AFTER 40 YEARS OF FISHING . . . I LIKE BEING A GHOST. ITS ALL A BLUR ANYWAY.

So let's try over again and keep it friendly. I'd rather learn from you than fight with you. Merry Christmas, Chris.

George

:kewl:

Serenity eternally.

"and so do I on occasion to give to someone"

HMMM..... Wasn't I who caught that bass to give to your sister?:bshake:

you can bend the trebles.

bass dawg,
careful with the gami octopus hooks. those will snap.

yup

gami live baits for me

thanks VERRRRY Much,

luds and jimmySly for the advice
about the Gammi Octo's,,,,,,,,,,,

nothing but Gammi Lives from here awn in.
or would you suggest mustad, VMC, others??

also to Crafty for letting me know it's all in me noggin!!

glad to sea that you and the Good doctor ironed
things out, Chris. thanks to the both of you for yer
wisdom and reflections. also, thanks to flap and BB!!

NIB, much thanks for your contributions as well!
missed you at RISAA last year,,,,,,,,,,,prolly by design
on your part. i hear ya though, the more i hook them the more i
am loving the fight and the Zen of it, and am only one or two more big gurls
away from being a frequent flyer in the over fiddy Club.
i know, i know, "doan tell me, SHOW me the weigh slips!!"

i am not saying so for recognition, nor does my ego need internet caressing, i would just like to reach THAT particular benchmark on me way to the World Record,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and yes that is my Ultimate Striperin' Goal~~ a legitimate 80#er, from tha surf!!!

if i garner sum high dollar schwag along the way, help me teammates to reclaim The Cup, win a shot at a Tundra, and get to surfcast with sum of NE's finest,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,then so BE it!!
*that is if the Striperin' Gods will allow.*

and i DO tip me hat when the beasts best me and they swim to fight on another Moon, this THREAD in and of itself is a tribute to the MONSTAHS "that get away". a year bigger and hopefully a year closer to my idiocy becoming consistency and my own drives and challenges being met. i release waaaaay more than i weigh, and feel good about my respect for our beloved prey,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

this was more about how long does it take and how many do EVEN the Best lose yearly,,,,,,,,,,,because it seems to me that it IS a progression, and that no matter HOW MANY it TAKES to land lahhhhge ~~with sum sense of regularity,

it is the journey that feeds OUR hunger, the hunt that fuels THE take,
and it is the striper dawn battles that beget OUR Striper Dreams.
of course, then there is the retelling of the tales!! :bl: :bl: :bl:

some of the best conversations i've ever had with ANYONE and the most intently i will ever listen to ANYONE has always been connected to God and fishing. NOW, even more so within this suprarecreation, surfcasting the Striper Coast, that takes surfcasting to its loftiest of heights
and causes many a man, woman, and child to seek a species' elusive splendor on serene and distant shores; surrounded by noone or alongside one's fishmate(s) latched onto a screaming drag and the trophy of a thousand haunts.
:jump: :jump:

BG, how are you typically losing them? are they breaking you off in the rocks, pulling the hook on you or getting slack and throwing the hook? I think knowing this will help us give advise. also, what rod are you using?

thanks Clogston,

i use an 11' glass mh rod, with a PENN750ssm for eels, riggies, sluggos, and chunks.
i use a 10' tsunami dolphin mh action with a 704Z for plugs, tins, and jiggggs.

last year i lost 2; 1 due to not re-spooling after sum decent feesh the night before~~rubbed the line on the rocks,,,,,,,and then SNAP (eeeeels set-up)!! the other because i hooked my eel the wrong way ~~she sucked it in and shook/ripped the eeeeel off the hook.

the year before that 2; 1 jumped and came right at me and jumped into a trough right at my feet green as she could be and she snapped the line(40#BGame uni to uni 25#PLine on the spool), the other one ona spook, wrapped my braid under a rock and started rolling herself up in the leader as i gave her more line(kayakker told me, as he was right on top of her)

the year before that 1; this beast hit a bug imitator that was not hooked properly, she hunkered down, and then spit my offering out like it was a waste of her time since i never got the hook set.

each event was a teacher, and each fight has made me more fit
for the next ones that WILL COME with next summer's migration.

that is, the Good Lord providing that me Honey Cove staaaaaaaays HOTTT
and me bones and my health be blessed to hop the Cape of Ann!!!
:bl: :bl: :bl:

How about #8

8. Who cares. It's just fishing. No one is gonna die. No one goes to jail (hopefully) Enjoy it for what it is.

Happy Holidays!!!

Been using Gami Octos(usually 6/0) for a long time and have landed dozens of big fish with them. Never once had one snap or straighten out.

Is this a common occurence?

sometimes you just don't land them

with a glass rod and mono, i'd really concentrate on the hookset with eels, don't think you'll be able to set too hard, so give it hell

if they take you in the rocks, don't be afraid to take the line off the pickup and let them go just holding the line between your fingers and applying enough pressure to keep slack out. once they move out of the rocks, just start the fight all over.

and don't be afraid to let them run on a looser drag. they usually wear themselves out that way and are more controllable in close. if you fish a tight drag and don't let them run, they tend to dive for obstructions more.

just a few ideas that i've found have helped me, but sometimes the fish wins. Its part of the fun (i think :huh:)

[QUOTE=Clogston29;647697]sometimes you just don't land them
with a glass rod and mono, i'd really concentrate on the hookset with eels, don't think you'll be able to set too hard, so give it hell[Quote]

First off, by your definition of 'Monstah' almost no one in this thread have landed one, with a few notable exceptions...
But on 'Decent' fish...

I agree 100%.
As a mono/composite rod guy (1201m) Hookset is vital. I fish next to a guy who fishes braid and stiff graphite. he flicks his wrist and is hooked up :smash:
And I fish Mustad hooks....

I learned by watching a crew from Newport that specializes in chunking and big fish. Drop the tip, extend your arms, AND when it comes tight, set the hook.Your reel should be behind your ear!

other than that, it's half luck, half skill and half circumstances :smash:

Been using Gami Octos(usually 6/0) for a long time and have landed dozens of big fish with them. Never once had one snap or straighten out.

Is this a common occurence?

No.

i think, but am not sure, that luds is talking about the gami circles. a buddy of ours was using them and losing some good fish. it took a while for us to notice that the point of the hook was breaking at the bend - and he was fishing them "right", not setting the hook.

octi's are decent hooks. but try out the gami live bait (not live bait hd) and you won't go back. best eel hooks out there IMHO.

another thing that i noticed (and it may just be me) but i've had better hookup ratios when using my 1213m (glass) for eels with 7/0 live bait hooks than the 6/0 that i typically use. i've also found that the glass rod sucks for riggies (not only because its too heavy) because its too soft to drive the 9/0 siwashes home.

Clgston and brian are right on!

thanks VERRRRY Much,

luds and jimmySly for the advice
about the Gammi Octo's,,,,,,,,,,,

nothing but Gammi Lives from here awn in.
or would you suggest mustad, VMC, others??

also to Crafty for letting me know it's all in me noggin!!

glad to sea that you and the Good doctor ironed
things out, Chris. thanks to the both of you for yer
wisdom and reflections. also, thanks to flap and BB!!

NIB, much thanks for your contributions as well!
missed you at RISAA last year,,,,,,,,,,,prolly by design
on your part. i hear ya though, the more i hook them the more i
am loving the fight and the Zen of it, and am only one or two more big gurls
away from being a frequent flyer in the over fiddy Club.
i know, i know, "doan tell me, SHOW me the weigh slips!!"

i am not saying so for recognition, nor does my ego need internet caressing, i would just like to reach THAT particular benchmark on me way to the World Record,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and yes that is my Ultimate Striperin' Goal~~ a legitimate 80#er, from tha surf!!!

if i garner sum high dollar schwag along the way, help me teammates to reclaim The Cup, win a shot at a Tundra, and get to surfcast with sum of NE's finest,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,then so BE it!! *that is if the Striperin' Gods will allow.*

and i DO tip me hat when the beasts best me and they swim to fight on another Moon, this THREAD in and of itself is a tribute to the MONSTAHS "that get away". a year bigger and hopefully a year closer to my idiocy becoming consistency and my own drives and challenges being met. i release waaaaay more than i weigh, and feel good about my respect for our beloved prey,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

this was more about how long does it take and how many do EVEN the Best lose yearly,,,,,,,,,,,because it seems to me that it IS a progression, and that no matter HOW MANY it TAKES to land lahhhhge ~~with sum sense of regularity,

it is the journey that feeds OUR hunger, the hunt that fuels THE take,
and it is the striper dawn battles that beget OUR Striper Dreams.
of course, then there is the retelling of the tales!! :bl: :bl: :bl:

some of the best conversations i've ever had with ANYONE and the most intently i will ever listen to ANYONE has always been connected to God and fishing. NOW, even more so within this suprarecreation, surfcasting the Striper Coast, that takes surfcasting to its loftiest of heights
and causes many a man, woman, and child to seek a species' elusive splendor on serene and distant shores; surrounded by noone or alongside one's fishmate(s) latched onto a screaming drag and the trophy of a thousand haunts.
:jump: :jump:

maybe decksweeper can chime in on the vmc's.....model #
the one's he is using for eeling are really good hooks..thick shank...huge barb....wide gap..perfect eel hook...tough to find though

another thing that i noticed (and it may just be me) but i've had better hookup ratios when using my 1213m (glass) for eels with 7/0 live bait hooks than the 6/0 that i typically use.

Bigger gap on the 7/0, so I would agree the hookup ratio would potentially be higher.

1979 SW point..had fish every single cast all night long and only got one to the beach. (And I thought I was pretty accomplished then) All the fish were monsters. I was outgunned, tired and frankly pretty embarrassed. I had 3 empty spools by daybreak. Walked into Twin Maples the next morning and told the old man what happened to me that night...first question was, what kind of line were you using...I said 17# stren...he didn't say a word an plopped a big fat spool of 50# ande pink on the counter with a thud. I said I don't think I can cast that line all that far. His response was "Distance is not your problem son." The next night was epic.

The next thing that went were those crappy mustad trebles that came on the gibbs plugs (and rebbles/redfins). I replace all the them with hand brazed stainless steel trebles from Eagle claw (they don't make them any more...I asked, I still have a few they bring back found memories, I remember they were $100 per box and some thought I was nuts, but after loosing fish of a lifetime, you don't care what it cost you just want another shot at them.) (this was pre-vmc days). Then moved to ultra heavy split rings.

I also use the Gami Octopus in size 5,6, or 7/0. I like the fact they are slightly offset and have a hunch it increases hookups. I always snell the hook and feel more confidence since switching to that knot. It's fun to tie, especially in the dark. I will say the 7/0 size had reports of snapping but I've heard it has been resolved. I have never had one bend or snap though.The short shank in addition to the straight eye make snelling the live bait difficult IMO.I love going to M&D's in the Spring to say Hi to Mike Thomas who is the true definition of a gentleman. Mike has great prices in bulk and I will buy packs of 100 pc. hooks in addition to bulk packs of spro swivels in size 4 which are rated to 130#. Probably overkill but I feel the heavier guage wire will not cut into my leader or braid, also a confidence booster when fighting large near the rocks. Very strange year for me as I have always used the method RIrock employs for setting up on a fish. This year the majority of fish were nibblers regardless of size therefore I pulled the eel out of many mouths before I switched to fishing eels with the line between my fingertips and letting them take the bait. I would then place the line on the roller and set the hook. Every year we learn more and expect the unexpected.

Mr. Sandman, your response brings back memories! I wish we had VMC trebles back then on the Island. Sea dangles, over alot of years fishing with live eels I too like the Gami 5/0 and 6/0 octupus. I've only had one snap mid shank and will throw the m away ( hooks) after a good night. I also use Gami 7/0 's on the rigged sluggos and had one get completly straightened ot on Cutty one night. Other than that, these hooks are dependable I think. Also, this season I really got back into live eeling and tried octapus hooks by Owner and was really impressed. They are alot like the Gami's but I think a little stronger and more expensive though. A little smaller too. In the Owner I had to use 6/0 and 7/0. I don't use really big eels like some.

sometimes you just don't land them

with a glass rod and mono, i'd really concentrate on the hookset with eels, don't think you'll be able to set too hard, so give it hell

if they take you in the rocks, don't be afraid to take the line off the pickup and let them go just holding the line between your fingers and applying enough pressure to keep slack out. once they move out of the rocks, just start the fight all over.

and don't be afraid to let them run on a looser drag. they usually wear themselves out that way and are more controllable in close. if you fish a tight drag and don't let them run, they tend to dive for obstructions more.

just a few ideas that i've found have helped me, but sometimes the fish wins. Its part of the fun (i think :huh:)

well said Josh and thanks for your insights. and YES!!
it is the best part of this surfcraziness that we ALL aspire to,
letting them take all the line they think they can. i LOVE that part.

only this biggun from last year i let almost spool me four times and
she took me straight into the boulders in my avatar(dead low/the water in the foreground is about 4 inches deep) at the start of the second run. that is where she began to rub me after the last run, and i chose to try to bring her up after strumming the line to no avail~~~

her head was turned, she hunkered down and i had about 3 wraps of line left on my spool
when she began to rubb me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,4 pumps and she was gone. i could feel my line ticking back and forth off of the rocks before i stopped her the 4th time and i could feel it getting weaker and weaker with each turn of the reel. should've replaced the spool line from the 38#er, a 30#, and a 25#er the night before same tide/same place/ALL on eeeeeeeeeeeels. the saddest part was that this was the AM of 9/21, bro,,,,,,,,,,we fight and we learn!!:spin: :spin: :spin:

my hook sets seem to be fine. bow to the cow, 1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi, 3-Mississi; with a verrry loose drag. then i roll it into her maw, thanks to Vic for that, and tighten the drag only slightly. i use 6/0 to 8/0 Gammi Octo's (depending on the beefiness of the snake) that i snell with Ande 60 pink or Ande 50 IGFA and have never had one snap. i only cross her eyes after she's taken it for awhile,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,had no problems with them coming unbuttoned, so faaaaar.

thanks again Clogston, for yer helpful suggestions.

First off, by your definition of 'Monstah' almost no one in this thread have landed one, with a few notable exceptions...
But on 'Decent' fish...

I agree 100%.
As a mono/composite rod guy (1201m) Hookset is vital. I fish next to a guy who fishes braid and stiff graphite. he flicks his wrist and is hooked up :smash:
And I fish Mustad hooks....

I learned by watching a crew from Newport that specializes in chunking and big fish. Drop the tip, extend your arms, AND when it comes tight, set the hook.Your reel should be behind your ear!

other than that, it's half luck, half skill and half circumstances :smash:

thanks Bryan for more wise words,,,,,,,,,,,

by monstahs, my attention grabbing title, i meant 50's and up
or the trophy variety of our beloved species. i like mustads as well, but have difficulty
in finding them regularily and big enuff. will have to buy them buy the gross from the Boyz
at the Edge or from Kevin or at Sam's the next time i get to NPT.
Kay prolly has them as well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i will look into it for next season.

the Owner hooks i've found to be excellent, as you said Steve.
they are tough to find in Saugus as well. am very willing to try any product at least once,
although i DO have considerable confidence in the Gammi line.

THANKS a million to everyone for contributing so generously!
:kewl: :kewl: :kewl:

I also use the Gami Octopus in size 5,6, or 7/0. I like the fact they are slightly offset and have a hunch it increases hookups. I always snell the hook and feel more confidence since switching to that knot. It's fun to tie, especially in the dark. I will say the 7/0 size had reports of snapping but I've heard it has been resolved. I have never had one bend or snap though.The short shank in addition to the straight eye make snelling the live bait difficult IMO.I love going to M&D's in the Spring to say Hi to Mike Thomas who is the true definition of a gentleman. Mike has great prices in bulk and I will buy packs of 100 pc. hooks in addition to bulk packs of spro swivels in size 4 which are rated to 130#. Probably overkill but I feel the heavier guage wire will not cut into my leader or braid, also a confidence booster when fighting large near the rocks. Very strange year for me as I have always used the method RIrock employs for setting up on a fish. This year the majority of fish were nibblers regardless of size therefore I pulled the eel out of many mouths before I switched to fishing eels with the line between my fingertips and letting them take the bait. I would then place the line on the roller and set the hook. Every year we learn more and expect the unexpected.

good stuff, Chris!

i'm a big fan of the spro 130's, it's all i use.
thanks to you, also, for your technical pointers.
i cain't wait to try all of these advices out when

THE COWWWS COME HOME!!!
:jump: :jump:

maybe decksweeper can chime in on the vmc's.....model #
the one's he is using for eeling are really good hooks..thick shank...huge barb....wide gap..perfect eel hook...tough to find though

Yup, I know that one - got a source but I've been sticking to the old Mustad bronze live bait, 9146 or 7, whatever it is.

That VMC is pretty impressive and I've got one hanging on my tool rack right in front on me in the tackle shack. Keep thinking about giving them a try. There's also a short shank SS hook with a point like a ####ing hypodermic - but SS is brittle and a coupla whacks on the local rocks'd knock that thin point off in no time. Plus I'm not a big SS fan for the obvious reason.

The old bronze Mustads do require a lot of touching up with a file - but for the money, they're fine by me. I've always had good luck with 'em - if it ain't real broke...I don't bother messing with it.

I use a 5/0 or a 6/0 - I just don't like an offset hook or a kirbed point since I don't - as in won't - snell.

YMMV, I guess...

How about #8

8. Who cares. It's just fishing. No one is gonna die. No one goes to jail (hopefully) Enjoy it for what it is.

Happy Holidays!!!


#9 Fishing is stupid, anyways.

:wavey:

#9 Fishing is stupid, anyways.

:wavey:

#10 Fishing is only stupid if your from CT :smash::D:D:D:D

#9 Fishing is stupid, anyways.

:wavey:

Very true.

As for this thread, I can't tell anyone how many monsters it takes as I have no idea.

The central theme here has become "gear related failures". I think that's why we lose the best ones. You're either undergunned or don't monitor the condition of your gear closely enough. Once you've hooked a fish, most of the chance/luck has been removed from the equation and it comes down to the condition and ability of your gear.

There's a few tricks involved too. A couple guys I grew up fishing the outer cape with started fishing the Elizabeth chain several years ago by boat. They were losing a lot of fish in the rocks at first as we used to just snub them down when fishing over sand. One of them finally decided to just open his bail once a good fish entangled him in the rocks and he would just stand there with his bail open until the fish came free. The landing numbers of real large fish really improved after that.

I wouldn't advocate this in the canal for the most part, but I can tell you two of the largest surf fish I've taken in the last few years came from RI and were pulled out of literal boneyards via the open bail technique. Once the fish frees itself, it tends to give in and come to shore more readlily.

This year the majority of fish were nibblers regardless of size therefore I pulled the eel out of many mouths before I switched to fishing eels with the line between my fingertips and letting them take the bait. I would then place the line on the roller and set the hook. Every year we learn more and expect the unexpected.


Hmm.:cheers:

There's a few tricks involved too. A couple guys I grew up fishing the outer cape with started fishing the Elizabeth chain several years ago by boat. They were losing a lot of fish in the rocks at first as we used to just snub them down when fishing over sand. One of them finally decided to just open his bail once a good fish entangled him in the rocks and he would just stand there with his bail open until the fish came free. The landing numbers of real large fish really improved after that..


I took one 38 lbs one time that swamped the bunker I was livelining right next to the jetty I was fishing.I knew i could not set up on him cause the fish would surely be along the rocks.I just opened up and let it go.After it was done pulling line I just tightened up.Sure enough the fish had gone around the jetty and had me rapped up pretty good.I just let little increments of line out so it would not wear in any one particular spot and break me off..After a while I just killed it on the end of the line and brought it back nice and slow.Now I have had this happen to me a few times before And was not as successful. First time huge boil and the take I set up and the line blows up...Next time I let her run some and tried to set up.Break in the line.I always used 30 lb big game for livelining bunker.They could pull it so why not.So I figure they where taking the bait and riding along the rock line.. Believe me I have thought about what I could do different long and hard.This was in the span of a few years.You only get a few shots per year at the good ones.
My bating average was not good.But I learned my lesson..

Every fish is different.You cannot expect the playing field to be the same every time no matter if you fish the same area's all the time or not.Often times bigger fish don't do what the smaller ones do when hooked up.It's what you do when you are hooked up that counts.Some are able to put together the right moves in short time,some it takes longer.
It's the beauty of the sport.If you ask me.

Every fish is different.You cannot expect the playing field to be the same every time no matter if you fish the same area's all the time or not.Often times bigger fish don't do what the smaller ones do when hooked up.It's what you do when you are hooked up that counts.Some are able to put together the right moves in short time,some it takes longer.
It's the beauty of the sport.If you ask me.

No doubt. I neglected to add that opening the bail is a last resort for me as opposed to a first action. I usually do it after a fish has locked me up in the rocks and I begin to feel the line sawing.

Don't forget I got spooled in the canal this year by being too nice. Not sure it was a huge fish or not, but the next time I hooked a good fish in the same place/same tide I snubbed it and got my best fish of the season. Problem with the canal a lot of times is you have 100 plus yards of line out when you actually hook up and it doesn't take a monster fish to spool you, just a modest fish in big current or foul hooked will beat you til you cry...

Jim Powers, The best jigger of the ditch I know,has a interesting technique as a work in progress.He has landed smaller fish with it.Of course it is to be used as a last ditch effort.he opens the bail up and lets the current take the line.The philosophy is that the current pulls the line behind the fish and either she thinks she's free and swims back up current or she pulls against the pressure of the line behind her and starts to head up current. He has had it work.This is with 300 yds of braid at your expense and some big balls.My balls are not that big( I have been told they are an good size:laughs:) as I have encountered the ditch beast and have not been successful.I have landed good fish on the jig in the current yet the beast has eluded me.I did not let em run I thought I had the gear to stop the beast.And I did.I pulled the hook.
A 9/0 gami siwash embedded in a 5 oz jig.After a good five minutes of standoff.That felt much longer.
I had to make a decision as I was out of time.Another one I have thought about long and hard.I still have not come up with the alternate game plan for that fish. I would probably will do the same thing again and hope I have it hooked better.

Very true.

As for this thread, I can't tell anyone how many monsters it takes as I have no idea.

The central theme here has become "gear related failures". I think that's why we lose the best ones. You're either undergunned or don't monitor the condition of your gear closely enough. Once you've hooked a fish, most of the chance/luck has been removed from the equation and it comes down to the condition and ability of your gear.

There's a few tricks involved too. A couple guys I grew up fishing the outer cape with started fishing the Elizabeth chain several years ago by boat. They were losing a lot of fish in the rocks at first as we used to just snub them down when fishing over sand. One of them finally decided to just open his bail once a good fish entangled him in the rocks and he would just stand there with his bail open until the fish came free. The landing numbers of real large fish really improved after that.

I wouldn't advocate this in the canal for the most part, but I can tell you two of the largest surf fish I've taken in the last few years came from RI and were pulled out of literal boneyards via the open bail technique. Once the fish frees itself, it tends to give in and come to shore more readlily.

All well and good, on the "open bail technique";
however, when one only has three wraps left on the line,,,,,,,,
one can't quite open the bail to let her spool you, right??

as for yer insinuation that this has become a gear failure thread
have you read all the technical and philosophical advice that has
been shared throughout?? likewise, since i've only been at this for
three seasons, i remember EVERY BIGGURL i've LOST and my count is:

Trophies 5, BassDawg 0.

i know that it is a verrry subjective answer, and different for ALL,
just trying to quantify where i am in the grander scheme of things
and how my part fits into the whole piece a pie, caaa peesh?

this is also an attempt to examine some of the intangibles that go into
our surfcasting pursuits, more specifically related to wrastlin' sum trophy-sized Mommas
from amongst the rocks. most responses have been helpful and entertaining, to say the LEAST!!

BESIDES, with all this stinkin' schnow on the ground

whatelse didjya wanna talk about,
the price of oil in Saudi Arabia????
:bl: :bl: :bl:

Every fish is different.You cannot expect the playing field to be the same every time no matter if you fish the same area's all the time or not.Often times bigger fish don't do what the smaller ones do when hooked up.It's what you do when you are hooked up that counts.Some are able to put together the right moves in short time, some it takes longer.It's the beauty of the sport.If you ask me.

EXACTLY!!!

that's what i'm talking about, Tony!!!
of THE 5, each one reacted differently, AND
each one had their own way to PLAY the same rocks.

two where in different udl's, but three where basicaly
hooked same tide/same place with only slight variations
in depth of water and where they hit. the one from last year
was the first one to take me STRAIGHT into the boulders to
seek/win her freedom,,,,,,,,,,,,sschmahht beeotch, she waz, and YES!!

NIB, it is the inherent and REAL beauty of what we do!!
i absolutely love and crave this battle of wits and strengths and
gears and rocks and tackles and conditons that pits man against
nature, surf, and beast!!! sometimes we win, sometimes the feesh!
better to have had the battle and lost, than to have stayed in bed
and never had the shot in the first place, imho.
:kewl: :kewl: :kewl:

Sometimes you may think the line is getting chafed on rocks ,when the reality is your leader is dragging across the sandpaper-like maw. Once again, be patient.

as for yer insinuation that this has become a gear failure thread
have you read all the technical and philosophical advice that has
been shared throughout??

Yes, that's why I implied that most of the big fish we lose can be attributed to either being undergunned or victims of gear failure. There is much philosophy, but it comes back to gear issues.

There's a good chapter in "The Trophy Striper" by Daignault that addresses the losing of a big fish. I think its called "Why we lose the best ones." Worth a read.

you can bend the trebles.

bass dawg,
careful with the gami octopus hooks. those will snap.

I don't know about the Gami octopus, but a fish can bend any treble. 3x, 4x, 6x---don't matter.

Pulled hooks--even 9/0 jig hooks, are part of the game when you use a stiff rod, heavy braid and a tight drag. This year, I wound up using my All Star 1208 more, and found that I cut down pulled hooks measurably over the 1209. The 1208 has enough bend to the tip section, but it has a very strong mid-to-butt section and a lot of lifting power. There are still some places in the Canal where you have to horse the fish and the choice is pressure it to the limit of your gear and risk pulling the hook, or have it get around some nasty junk and risk the line abrading to the breaking point.

Pulled hooks, though, will happen on any rod. I dropped the biggest fish--well, what felt like the biggest fish anyway ;)--that I hooked up with in the Canal using a 132 1M which is a relatively soft, parabolic rod. No slack, constant pressure on the fish, and the hooks just tore loose. Sometimes it's the angle between you and the fish :huh:

Mr. Sandman, your response brings back memories! I wish we had VMC trebles back then on the Island. Sea dangles, over alot of years fishing with live eels I too like the Gami 5/0 and 6/0 octupus. I've only had one snap mid shank and will throw the m away ( hooks) after a good night. I also use Gami 7/0 's on the rigged sluggos and had one get completly straightened ot on Cutty one night. Other than that, these hooks are dependable I think. Also, this season I really got back into live eeling and tried octapus hooks by Owner and was really impressed. They are alot like the Gami's but I think a little stronger and more expensive though. A little smaller too. In the Owner I had to use 6/0 and 7/0. I don't use really big eels like some.

I used to use the 6/0 gami octupus religously for eeling, untill I picked up a pack of owners. The hook point on the gami's have a tendancy to bend or even break off if you make contact with the bottom, whereas the owner's seem to have MCUH stronger points. They also seem to be a little bit thicker than gami's for their size, which is a plus.

Yes, that's why I implied that most of the big fish we lose can be attributed to either being undergunned or victims of gear failure. There is much philosophy, but it comes back to gear issues.

There's a good chapter in "The Trophy Striper" by Daignault that addresses the losing of a big fish. I think its called "Why we lose the best ones." Worth a read.

Thanks BB,

waz thinking of picking up that book for XMAS,
yet there is the other two that i had at the top of me
winter reading List. Zeno's latest and DJ's book from last year.

i also would like to get my hands on anything by Tim Coleman.
sum vintage stuff right there, i've read Striper Surf twice from cover to cover
and reread it every year for its pearls of surfwisdom. LOVED Skinner's book
from last year,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ALL are excellent reads and were verrrrry helpful
in taking me to the next level with eeeeeeeels and riggies.

mostly, i just gottsta keep on fishing hard and good things will come~~
with patience and heavy gear and good feesh MOJO!!
:bl: :bl: :bl: :bl: