Popping my cherry

[Emackn]

After 2 days of chasing scattered schools of breaking tuna a few miles off cape ann Ma, we hooked up to a serious fish today and fought it for 7 hours and 40 mins. Hooked it up on a Saragossa 18000, OTI 60-80 xtreme, tuffline 80lb (which held depite looking like three strand dock line it was so twisted at the end) , 100lb yozuri fluoro, Dorado slider.
we lost the fish to a chaffed leader just as it seemed we had him licked, saw the fish 3 times and it was silly big no idea on true size (we guessed easy 350+).
My question is we had the reel set at 20lbs and palmed the spool when we could, and got towed about 7 miles, seeing if you guys know any way to put some more pressure on the fish, think i can get away with more drag, had the boat side to any way to use boat to put some more pressure on it.
I dont know that was one crazy way to almost land my first popping bluefin if you guys have any suggestions id appreciate it, as i get to chase the monsters for the next few days
mass10030.jpg picture by emackn1 - Photobucket

[newengland fisherman]

WOW, long ass fight man, good job sticking with it, bummer she came unbuttoned.

We had a massive school come up on us about 1 mile off Cape Anne while striper fishing. Size of fish were around 50-100lb range. Also had them bust out on me at Speckeld Apron and at Breaking rocks. Seems they are coming in very close for this time of year. I am psyched, gives me a chance to get one

[johndtuttle]

Originally Posted by Emackn

After 2 days of chasing scattered schools of breaking tuna a few miles off cape ann Ma, we hooked up to a serious fish today and fought it for 7 hours and 40 mins. Hooked it up on a Saragossa 18000, OTI 60-80 xtreme, tuffline 80lb (which held depite looking like three strand dock line it was so twisted at the end) , 100lb yozuri fluoro, Dorado slider.
we lost the fish to a chaffed leader just as it seemed we had him licked, saw the fish 3 times and it was silly big no idea on true size (we guessed easy 350+).
My question is we had the reel set at 20lbs and palmed the spool when we could, and got towed about 7 miles, seeing if you guys know any way to put some more pressure on the fish, think i can get away with more drag, had the boat side to any way to use boat to put some more pressure on it.
I dont know that was one crazy way to almost land my first popping bluefin if you guys have any suggestions id appreciate it, as i get to chase the monsters for the next few days
mass10030.jpg picture by emackn1 - Photobucket

The keys to putting more pressure given your set up:

1. Re-Spool with JB 60 Hollow you can safely apply twice the drag with spliced connections.

2. Go to 130lb Fluoro Leaders for abrasion (basically the heaviest you can get bit some days you may get away with 200lb fluoro. And learn to crimp a small loop to attach the lure to help action with heavier leaders).

3. Harness up. You can apply way more pressure harnessed up and you save your strength for the critical end game.

4. Go Stella for more reliable drag.

2 cents apply as you will

[striperblues]

Originally Posted by johndtuttle

The keys to putting more pressure given your set up:

1. Re-Spool with JB 60 Hollow you can safely apply twice the drag with spliced connections.

2. Go to 130lb Fluoro Leaders for abrasion (basically the heaviest you can get bit some days you may get away with 200lb fluoro. And learn to crimp a small loop to attach the lure to help action with heavier leaders).

3. Harness up. You can apply way more pressure harnessed up and you save your strength for the critical end game.

4. Go Stella for more reliable drag.

2 cents apply as you will

All very good advice. A triple surgeons loop (five turns) is not a bad alternative to the Hollow Core if you are not up to switching it out, then use a Streamline Wind On Leader, 100lb. I use a repala knot which still allows for really good lure action and I have not had one fail on me yet. The harness is a must. Seven hours !! I would have broken it off at two if max drag would not turn that beast. You couldn't keep it anyway !

[Albiemanmike]

The fish you hooked was too big for your tackle period. 7 hours on one fish are you nuts? I don't mean to be an ahole but come on man 7 hours? After an hour maybe 90 minutes I would have popped that fish off and went fishing. I can't even fathom fighting a fish for 7 hours..........WOW! The biggest fish I have read about so far was last year and I think it was 300-325 or so and that one took less than 2 hours if memory serves. The only bright side is the fish was probably not stressed too much as he was having his way with you and will probably survive I Hope?

I just don't get it come everyone these fish are HUGE and if you don't make any headway after 45 min. you are going to know at that point that you hooked something that probably should not have been hooked on spinning gear. I think the spin gear that most of you are using is incredible technology and can land some enormous fish but these fish are in another category and should be left to the 80's and 130's as I don't believe they are going to be landed on the current spin gear being utilized at this point. Say all you want but the truth is the truth and these fish above 250-275 are just too big for the lighter spin gear. I know if I hook a beast on my spin gear I'll know pretty quick that it is not a fish i want to mess with and will have no problem popping it off. I really don't want to pop it off but the alternative is a long drawn out fight that will result in either the fish dead or the angler possibly physically exhausted to the point of being dangerous and more than likely the end will be the same a lost fish.

[Albiemanmike]

Originally Posted by striperblues

All very good advice. A triple surgeons loop (five turns) is not a bad alternative to the Hollow Core if you are not up to switching it out, then use a Streamline Wind On Leader, 100lb. I use a repala knot which still allows for really good lure action and I have not had one fail on me yet. The harness is a must. Seven hours !! I would have broken it off at two if max drag would not turn that beast. You couldn't keep it anyway !

Rob makes another good point you can't keep these fish anyway so why fight it for 7 hours???

[kidflex]

Originally Posted by Albiemanmike

Rob makes another good point you can't keep these fish anyway so why fight it for 7 hours???

Cuz it wouldve been an accomplishment!! If you fought that fish for 7 hours then u are truely a stud And kudos to you! Fighting fish on light tackle is fun and a challenge. Even though your fish was a monster in size. If kilsong or other accomplished fishermen posted this up I'm sure no one would *****. Keep the hating to a minimum guys. Congrats on an almost glorious victory. I'd feel that the memory of the fight is worth wether that fish lived or died. Sorry if that upsets anyone here. Jmo

[bibanez]

great job man. Im with you i would have fought the fish. Opinions are like ass les everybody has one.

[Albiemanmike]

Originally Posted by kidflex

Cuz it wouldve been an accomplishment!! If you fought that fish for 7 hours then u are truely a stud And kudos to you! Fighting fish on light tackle is fun and a challenge. Even though your fish was a monster in size. If kilsong or other accomplished fishermen posted this up I'm sure no one would *****. Keep the hating to a minimum guys. Congrats on an almost glorious victory. I'd feel that the memory of the fight is worth wether that fish lived or died. Sorry if that upsets anyone here. Jmo

Look I bring no hate to this discussion I am just trying to bring some reason to it. What did he accomplish or would he have accomplished if he got it boat side for unhooking and releasing?? If he did it in an hour or less than that is a serious accomplishment but 7 HOURS.....read that again 7 HOURS of fighting a fish only to lose it or have to release it if landed. I don't see where you guy's are coming from really. If i fought a fish for 7 hours it damn well better weigh in excess of 1,000 lbs. or else it was not worth the pain and anguish. Not aking anything away from the OP congrats for staying with a fish that long but really???

And by the way the angler has nothing to do with it. If Kil had posted this I would have said the same thing I said here but I know for a fact he wouldn't fight a fish for that length of time as he has said fighting these fish for long periods of time isn't his bag.

[corybahr318]

This forum is turning into 2cool with all the b*t*h*n*.....who gives a crap....the guy wanted to fight the fish for 7 hrs. so let him.....opinions are great...but knowing when to keep moving is invaluable