Bluefish 1 Don Corleone 1

[Big Vern]

I had a great morning fishing yesterday, but it ended up a draw. I caught fish and fish caught me.

We were off the dock at 5:15 AM, on the grounds by 6:00 AM, and I had a 42'' 27lb. striper in the boat by 6:10 AM. We continued with a very steady pick of bass and blues. Acres upon acres of birds working. By 8:30 or so, we had landed about 15 keepahs and a slew of decent sized blues between three of us. We were in the midst of a perfect drift catching fish on every cast when it happened.

I had a 5-6 pound blue on the rear treble of a Yozuri Mag Darter. Went in with the Boga to let that filthy bastage back into the water when the thing spaz's out, and in the blink of an eye I had become solidly connected to a 5-6 pound bluefish via a Mag Darter. Me on the front treble, him on the back. Not cool. Got hooked deep in side of my index finger WAY past the barb. Got the blue off, forced my buddies to take a couple more fish, and I'm in the ER at the Cape Cod hospital by 9:30.

Now, I've got a couple of holes in my finger, some pain, and a bottle of percocets. .

So, I had a good day on the water despite it being a tie.

[JohnR]

Ouch... Sometimes it's worth crimping the barbs.... But is it ever worth wasting a mag darter on a bluefish?

[Big Vern]

John...you should see this Mag Darter. It's probably caught 200+ fish. It's the one you should have lost by now, but for some reason it's the old warrior in your bag that keeps on catching. Not much finish on it, tons of bite marks, etc. The doctor took one look at the plug attached to my finger, and said "Well, I guess I don't have to ask if you were catching fish because by the looks of that thing you caught some."

Not to mention, that the only reason I had it on was because I had run out of pink sluggos (Which incidentally only have one hook). If that hadn't happened...

Plus, the blues and bass were mixed in together. You never knew what you had for a couple seconds. Either the drag started screaming or it did not start screaming.

[Goose]

That wicked sucks...been there more then once, doesn't that needle feel nice?

[Christian]

its only a matter of time before it happens to me. i get the slight pricks and stabs to the bard but never past it, i guess im lucky. hope ya feelin better.
you should have to buy a licence to get them mag darters, theys deadly.

[Big Vern]

Goose...you have clearly been there before. The whole experience was relatively pain free with the HUGE exception of the local anaesthetic injection. However, I'm not sure if the experience made me more or less afraid of getting stuck. I probably say less, but I didn't take one in the dome. That I fear.

[Mike P]

If you're really lucky, the fish will push the barb all the way thru ya with a head shake Then all ya gotta do is move your hand in tune with the thrashing of the fish while you fumble for yer pliers.

Here's a tip---if you're right handed, wear your cutting pliers on the right side of your belt.

And yes, I'm talking from experience here

[Mr. Sandman]

I feel your pain. (Hope your are taking antibiotics)

That is the worst when the fish is connected to the lure and is going nuts while he has you by the "short hairs"...You know he is thinking..."who's got who MFer"

I try and carrry a HEAVY pair of cutters on board...they come in handy somtimes.

15 years ago, I had a gibbs bottle plug with stainless steel trebles nail me in the eye lid while surf casting on SW point BI (a very slipery place...even without a hook). I had to walk back (with out falling ) to the truck with this hook in my eye. Lots of blood. It actually only put a hole thru my eyelid (which healed).. I backed it out on the beach and saw a doc the next day. Scared the sh*t out of me. A few nights later there was a guy who was fighting a big fish and the plug pulled out in the surf-line...it was like a slingshot and it hit him hard in the nose and cheek, the barb went thru his nose completely. His eyes turned black and blue and his nose swelled . They flew him out to a hospital with the plug still on his face....I think it was a blue back Rapala. I know we all have stories like that.

Hope it wasn't your casting finger....