Case of the "ALMOSTS" ... and a 7 (4/14/15)

[WheresMyBeer]

Still looking for my first Soup, the obsession is getting bad. To the point of being Fin-addict ...

Decided to commit to a later hour (past 9  ), and found a stretch of beach with relatively low weeds & kelp.

Sunset brought a few good rod tip thumps, and a small eel which mangled Paul's wire leader. Hate those damn things.

I then get a good drag burner only to spit the bait when I engaged the reel. Almost! Damn!!!
Have a good feeling about this spot though.

Roughly 9pm and Paul gets a wiggle on his bells. 

Sets the hook and he's dragging in a fish. Wasn't really paying attention until the eyes lit up as it rolled in the surf. I'll be damned Paul has another 7 under his belt.

Had the honors of the tail grab and the fugger almost got me twice, with another 3 or 4 attempts that were still too close for comfort. Felt like dancing with a rattlesnake ... 

Bite past the tail? No problem




Jaws up ...





Got a tape on it and sent him back to the sea. 75 1/2" ...


By now we've chummed the area pretty good with frequent bait changes. Had several mangled baits and empty hooks come back, so knew there was a ton of life in the area.

About a half hour later I get another chance. Good tip bounce and I grab the rod. Let the fish run and buried the hook.

Pissed off and heading straight out to sea, I could feel the hard tail thumps as line peeled off the reel.
A thought crossed my mind "will this 60lb leader hold up?"
Nope
**POP**




ALMOST ....

re-tied but that was it. Packed it in at 11p.

Stats for the 7 gill (4/14/15 - 75 1/2" - Male - Mackerel tail - 2-3 surf - outgoing tide)

Get bent guys!!
WMB

[sasquatch]

Wire leader, Dave, wire leader. Or 80 for the shock/rub leader, not 60.

Definitely a better night than Tom and I had.

Nice fish, Paul.

[xjchad]

 
Great report, thanks!
Love reading these during the work day to get my blood pumping again

[Latimeria]

Dude, that definitely sounds like a soupie.  I tried 60 pound shock leader once and it doesn't stand a chance.  Don't get all lazy and set yourself up right!  You don't get many opportunities when the bite is on and should be ready to capitalize!   

Well damn, congrats Paul on another 7-gill!  It sounds like you guys found the hot beach!

[WheresMyBeer]

Guess i should clarify 60lb shock/rub is what I meant. I run wire from the hook for sure ... but then about 15 ft of 60. Tail slaps busted that.

80 ... 80 ... 80 ... 

[Latimeria]

Guess i should clarify 60lb shock/rub is what I meant. I run wire from the hook for sure ... but then about 15 ft of 60. Tail slaps busted that.

80 ... 80 ... 80 ... 

Yep, I lost two soupies using the 60lb shock leader from the tail slaps.  Never again! 

[Eric H]

Beautiful 7

Tailing them is pretty fun.

Bummer about your break off, you definitely had the right kind.

[raychavez91]

Awesome stuff guys!!! I gotta get 1 soon, going crazy!

[sasquatch]

80, 80, 80...  I have some 100 for when I find out 80 is the new 60.

[Pinoyfisher]

Damn Dave, I think you need to fish without Paul so you can have a decent shot at a 7

[Sharkinthedark II]

Nice shark guys. Are you using commercial chum or grinding you own?

[Jaws]

Great shark Paul!

Dave, now you know why I use a 150lb "rub leader"!

[HalibutJoel99]

Now that is a nice Shark! Grats. 

[1morecast]

Dang, Paul with another 7 gill.  . You'll land the next one...Dave.

[j.rasta]

Daaaayumn dudes! Nice sesh, sucks losin monsters! I Still got fresh wounds so I feel ur pain dave. Congrats on another big 7 Paul!