Only had a short window to fish and decided to go for a T-Shark while the rest of the world was looking for tuna.
Catching bait was no problem what-so-ever. LJ was FILLED with Spanish and Greenies from tine to HUGE! Started in my usual spot looking for Mr. T as well as trying for some local yellows. Multiple squid boats were off the coast so expectations were high.
After an hour of bump-trolling a huge greenie, I was thinking about maybe looking for a paddy to save the day on the way home. I saw a ton of birds working in 100', so power drifted through that and heard the sing of the reel! Thrashing at the surface and when I tightened the drag, a whole lot of jumping! 9 or 10' Thresher and wow! I fought it for 10 minutes and saw my line was not in a straight line, but wrapped from the head to the tail on it. It totally crocodiled my line!
I thought I could get him close if I loosened the drag, but one more jump and everything went slack. Ugh... It felt like someone ran sandpaper up and down my line for 15 feet...
Tried again for another hour with no luck. I'm getting tired of still putting in my dues this year, but then again, one less thing I have to do when I get home.
Last bite of the morning before I headed back to the barn.
Steel Leader?
Bummer on the break off but hooking up is 80% of the battle. What leader were you using?
: KogaHead July 17, 2023, 10:56:13 p
Steel Leader?
Yes, but only 3' of steel leader. The 60# mainline is what wrapped around the body and caused the failure.
: jrodda July 17, 2023, 12:02:35 p
Bummer on the break off but hooking up is 80% of the battle. What leader were you using?
I've caught a few over the years including one that probably weighed 250 pounds and like 12' long. Usually I lose them when I'm slow trolling for yellows, but this time I thought I should be fine with the steel leader. 3' of steel trace to 60# mainline. Mainline is what failed me from either rubbing on the skin or just being wrapped and couldn't take that last jump.
Probably could have used some help to land that.
Heart breaker, or should I say line breaker :( Hope you redeem yourself soon :)
As big of a bummer as it was for you, it made a great read for me this morning 8)
: Latimeria July 17, 2023, 12:38:28 p
: KogaHead July 17, 2023, 10:56:13 p
Steel Leader?
Yes, but only 3' of steel leader. The 60# mainline is what wrapped around the body and caused the failure.
Minimum 80 pound test and always double with a bimini twist dude!
: KogaHead July 18, 2023, 07:47:45 p
: Latimeria July 17, 2023, 12:38:28 p
: KogaHead July 17, 2023, 10:56:13 p
Steel Leader?
Yes, but only 3' of steel leader. The 60# mainline is what wrapped around the body and caused the failure.
Minimum 80 pound test and always double with a bimini twist dude!
I was just being a true sportsman. ;D
I liked my experience with 150, I think the lowest I'd go is 100 based on the chafe that I did get. 80 with a bimini sounds like a good compromise.
I use 65lb braid to 20ft of 100lb mono wind-on and 2-3ft of either coated cable or 200lb mono. Neither gets bit better than the other but it seems like they'll pick one for the day so I run both on two rods.
Even with the 100lb mono I've had them break or cut it. It think they twist in it or tail wrap themselves and straighten out and pop the line. Same way tigers bend big hooks. But that's just my theory.
You'll get one Tom! Can't wait to see the pic of it across your bow