OWNED!!

[Brian L]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

There's a first time for everything, they say. This morning it was my turn to experience the pain. As my eel made its way into the "strike zone" I felt the unmistakable take of a fish followed by a couple head shakes and then it happened... My rod doubled over and I began paying out line.Big time. I typically fish a light drag, but began my attempt to snub the fish pretty soon after it became apparent it was no school bass, but perhaps a school bus. It was. Long story short my 250 yards of 65 power pro began to vanish from the spool. With plenty of room down tide I began a tepid walk in an attempt to catch up, several times standing pat trying to lock the fish down and I couldn't do it. Anyways, I start thinking I'm going to get spooled and flip on my head lamp only to see the backing knot buried under only a few turns of the spool. I know this is the weak link in the line system, but in six years of fishing braid and many good fish, I've never been taken even close to this deep.
Oh oh. Backing knot goes through the guides and now I'm effectively fishing with 25# mono as opposed to 65# braid. No more snubbing necessary as the line parted on the knot as expected after it came under great tension. I sat down on a large boulder and stared at the sky for a few minutes while my mind replayed the battle over and over. Looking back, I wouldn't have done anything different, but when I refill the reel tonight there may be a little less backing and a little more braid. Never had a fish take so much line without at least a temporary pause. What sucks is there is a nice fish out there with a long drail of line behind it and my fishing trip was cut short due to the fact I had no line to fish with, save for my mono backing.

Like I always say though.....catch them first and weight them after. It was a pretty good one though.....I think. Look at the pigtail on my mono. Yikes.

Reeeeal big fish... swaller ya whollle...

Sorry to hear that, brother...

[Back Beach]

The pain continues. Since the above mentioned incident occurred, I've fished four nights for nil. The last two not even a bump. Last night my cell phone went for a plop in the canal as I leaned over to grab an eel. Thought I had the waterproof pouch zipped, but I didn't.Was previously on a major hot streak that began in late May. Someone is sending me a message. Cut off from the fish, now cut off from mankind with the dunking of my beloved phone.Time for some time off and a little boat fishing to sooth the rash. WTF.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

The pain continues. Since the above mentioned incident occurred, I've fished four nights for nil. The last two not even a bump. Last night my cell phone went for a plop in the canal as I leaned over to grab an eel......... Someone is sending me a message.

That someone would be Tonk-lee, the mighty god of serpents. Surely your wanton slaughter of his children has angered him greatly. Best that you make amends before he declares you an enemy of all the slimey creatures who slither through the world on their bellies and you are cursed by a plague of telemarketers selling legal advice to neglected spouses. Wash thyself, probably twice in your case, then put on pretty perfumes and delicate shirts (with little polo players on them is best). Make sacrifice, hire a babysitter (though a dog cage will do in a pinch), and pay pennance wasting money on food, drink, and laughter that would have bought a dammn nice reel. Thereafter, foreswear your ways, buy wooden idols, and toss them in the bright sunny water endlessly, until a small fish with forked tail and yellow eyes takes them from you......and you will be forgiven. Now go and repent, lest misery be yours. Amen

[bart]

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

That someone would be Tonk-lee, the mighty god of serpents. Surely your wanton slaughter of his children has angered him greatly. Best that you make amends before he declares you an enemy of all the slimey creatures who slither through the world on their bellies and you are cursed by a plague of telemarketers selling legal advice to neglected spouses. Wash thyself, probably twice in your case, then put on pretty perfumes and delicate shirts (with little polo players on them is best). Make sacrifice, hire a babysitter (though a dog cage will do in a pinch), and pay pennance wasting money on food, drink, and laughter that would have bought a dammn nice reel. Thereafter, foreswear your ways, buy wooden idols, and toss them in the bright sunny water endlessly, until a small fish with forked tail and yellow eyes takes them from you......and you will be forgiven. Now go and repent, lest misery be yours. Amen

I'll be at your slip tomorrow morning @4:00. I want to spread the ashes of my leftover elvers before the wind comes up. Bring coffe and a camera. No sugar in mine.

[DZ]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

spread the ashes of my leftover elvers before the wind comes up.

Back,
Best release those elvers to improve your karma. Sorry to hear your pain. I was fortunate to have lived through a fish into my backing with a blood knot between us. It wasn't a seal - released perhaps my largest bass ever - but it was one of the most tension filled hook-ups I ever experienced. Better luck next time it happens.

DZ

[steve]

Back beach, Don't feel too bad. I landed a spring missle that almost emptied a 7000 abu . It was in a strong moon rip and I was using a plug. The bass was lip hooked and when I put on my neck light after a great battle I was shocked to see the size of the fish-- 28 pounds on a manley hand scale. Also, last year I hooked and eventually landed the best fighting striper I ever caught. It literally pulled me in the water at Frenchman's. It weghed 37 lbs. and boy was I disappointed! If I had lost this one or that 28 I would have thought they were much, much bigger. So, when I do drop a good one, I always think of the 28 and the one from last year. It helps me a little bit. Try it, it may help you.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by steve

So, when I do drop a good one, I always think of the 28 and the one from last year. It helps me a little bit. Try it, it may help you.

No doubt. I've had 25# fish almost pull me in the ditch when hooked during the peak tidal flow of 5+ knots.

I had a 17# fish at Frenchman's a couple years ago I thought was the world record. Same thing at Squibnocket one night last year. Some of them just pull real hard.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I'll be at your slip tomorrow morning @4:00. I want to spread the ashes of my leftover elvers before the wind comes up. Bring coffe and a camera. No sugar in mine.

In a pink Chemise LaCoste, smelling of Brut ( or in your case Canoe would be better) Tartan print doubleknit bermuda shorts with double button waist band & White canvas Sperry topsiders and black mid calf socks. For pennance the outfit is essential.

Remember in doing penance it is the spinning reel is always held on top and held by the left hand on the foregrip and reeled with the right guides up.

Repeat " For duty and Humanity" 100 times.

Good luck

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Karl F

i am sooo glad i have no idea whatever that is... and i'm also concerned.. that you do... whatever it is....

Its a three button polo shirt with the little alligator logo on it. I said it in french is all.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Its a three button polo shirt with the little alligator logo on it. I said it in french is all.

For some reason Flap thinks I understand french.

I thought you were talking about cigars.

Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire.

-Boileau.