Took a couple friends out to MB who've been wanting to get on some bats. We've been out a few times but only managed 20" types, no hogs. So they came equipped with light spinners :P. Of course my comment was "you sure you want to use those?" :) :)
Sure as sh!t - we farmed a ton of bites and even had one guy dive in the water after his rod went shooting out of the holder. :) :) That was so EPIC since it came only minutes after I was telling stories of people diving for rods when the donkeys hit. He barely grabbed his rod by fingertips, only to get almost pulled in again when the drag was tightened. Donkey lost.
I got man handled on a hit like never before. Had the drag almost buttoned down and still had a 20 minute fight which came unbuttoned about 50yrds out. I could never turn its head and the runs were unreal. Something like 10 serious 50 yrs+ drag burns. Now believe had a really big one tail hooked and finally pulled through the skin. I just can't believe the hook would pull from the jaw with that kind of fight / pressure. I was worked like nothing I've fought from shore.
Anyway. No pics but was nice to know big ones are in so close to bat fight. SD's gonna kill it this year. (yes Mike ... over 40" will win it ;D ;D ;D)
Good luck out there!
Dave
WMB
Nice way to introduce newbies to bat ray fishing. ;)
I really can't do justice to the head-first dive after the rod without video. Damn we were rolling. ;D ;D Full on dive into the water and barely got the reel with fingertips. ;D ;D
Right on!
I tried the light spiners for bats last wek.
Probably won't do it again.
I seem to recall diving in after a rod happened at an old SNBF. Binh, can you confirm this? And Dave, you're more than likely right. Weird how the big girls just show up out of the blue like that, like a switch was flipped. No trickling in...
Would love to have seen the dive into the water
: Eric H February 21, 2016, 08:01:42 p
Would love to have seen the dive into the water
Me too............BTW, glad someone's finding fish :(
Damn, that sounds like a super fun night... and anytime someone has to dive in the water for their rod, it is even better! LOL
Well done boss, even without pics. lol
I would have loved to see what you hooked and lost!
Haven't had to dive yet, but I have had a few close calls. Brought in a few rods in the past also.