This past july while tuna fishing near Chatham we got 5 fish, all about the same size (80 + lbs)
6th fish on (I wasn't on the rod) figured it was another 80lb fish as it didn't fight much different.
Fish gets about 100 ft off the stb side when I finally seen the fish surface and realize the size.
"holy %$%$%$%$, it's over 6ft long"
The harpoon is sitting strapped on the stb gunwale, the basket, line with the dart, ball ect... are sitting on the deck in front of me,
But it's not rigged and ready for use
We get the fish closer to the boat, I get hold of the leader, and the other guy was getting ready to get a gaff shot.
Before he could get a shot, the fish starts to go under the boat.
Instead of feeding it out and taking some time to rig the harpoon while the guy on the rod fought it a bit longer, I tried to horse it from under the boat, pulled the hook, fish ($) gone
Got the 7th fish of the day on later, the harpoon was ready and rigged for use, but it was another 80lb fish !