Posted by AJ on August 28, 03 at 04:06:56:
In Reply to: OT of OT, how long to land that monster? posted by Ben on August 27, 03 at 14:36:48:
That 24-hour fishing trip is going to stay in our memories for a long time! During our 5 hour ride out to the canyons, the weather turned nasty, and we suffered through many miles of 8-ft swells. Capt said it was too late to turn back; boat could handle fine but we would probably be uncomfortable. He even offered to anchor closer in where might be calmer, but was convinced fishing wouldn't be as fun. Though the rains quit, the swells stayed with us all night long!
All but 2 of us got sick at various times. My oldest son slept below most of the time. My middle boy actually hooked and brought to boat a 100# mako earlier in the nite, but Capt said we could only keep one, and was sure we'd get a bigger one. After the keeper 250# mako, I got to battle a 250#+ blue shark which we released.
The big sharks took about 45 minutes to land; seemed much longer with the boat rocking and swaying. Our keeper Mako needed two 16-guage slugs to subdue, before bringing aboard.
The boat, Grizzly, is a no-frills 36ft charter. All standup gear, no fighting chair! But his tackle is first class; appropriate rod/reel combo, and smooth drag and helpful crew advice made it possible to land those fish.
Below is link to our photo from the trip. I'm the one 3rd from the left.
: Biggest thing ever hooked and landed was +35 lb striped bass. When boy of about 7 years dad hooked stergeon that took our 10 foot wooden row boat around China Camp (Mill Valley side of SF Bay) for about an hour before jumping out of water and snaping the line. Tail half saw still out of water was longer than me... :)
: Did it take all 6 of you taking turns to land that monster?
: Thinking about it's sizing...I'm 6' and 180-185 lbs and to think something out weighing me by 65-70 lbs...
: What fun that must have been!!!!....and the stories the kids will have for decades to come.