Chad's Coastwide Sportsfishing....Giant Hunters 2008....and beyond

richmake · Aug-20-2008, 07:58 PM

Now as all of you know the world didn’t end in July, which was by far and away some of the best fishing and guiding I’ve ever experienced. With that being said, nothing could have prepared us for August…and It all started off with “Giant Hunters” 2008.
Some of you might remember last year, Wade ,Derek,Brock and I all went to the land of giants in an atempt to latch into a monster of sorts, not any old giant per say but one that demands huge respect this day and age. These huge chinook are becoming more scarce and as we get busier and have less time to hunt for them in certain areas…I took a different approach, and gamble of sorts!
Now as Wade and Paul loaded the “Jazzie Girl” for the trip up North, My clients and I decided long ago that staying local might pay off this year. I was determined to hunt for the giants locally and had a few places that I was convinced would hold some decent fish and maybe even a 50lb plus giant….
Miller, Don and Ken had never fished with me before and in fact ,I’m sure they probably had no Idea what a huge world of hurt these large fish can put on you if your not prepared.
As “Tenacious”left the dock early and the hunt began, calm waters and slight rain….perfect for hunting.
As of late, I was really sure some of the spots I was going to explore would hold some huge fish and as the engines idled back we weren’t alone. A couple of other boats around is actually not a bad thing and what the boys sooned learned was ,it's not necessarily where you fish, but how.
I recently started changing my tack in this specific area and as I set the gear and swung the boat in for our first tack…bang...zzzzzzzz…the left rod poped and it was game on.

Now this fish put up a great fight but it wasn’t a huge fish by any means…low 30's but a great start.

I was really loving the way the tack was working lately so why change a thing, back down with the gear and the wait begins….
I wasn’t really paying attention as the left rod popped. I dove out of my chair and set the hook…bang…Ken you're on buddy and it’s a hog! The fish starts screaming line and next thing I knew we're into backing and as I’m frantically trying to clear the other line and downriggers I hear Ken say were almost out of line.
I swing the boat around and put the throttles down to just get the fish to turn around…it works and the fish stops and slides into a long tug of war. Ken hasn’t really been salmon fishing before and after a 20 minute stuggle, that the Kid proved he was worthy…43.5lbs of bliss slides into the net…

I was happy as hell but down goes the gear again and 25 minutes later, Don boats a 31lb along with 2 smaller fish…not a bad day.

Now not to cut the story short but we ended our three days with some nice chinook topping out at Ken’s 43.5lb beauty…I was happy and so were the boys and after last year’s slow weekend I was convinced we had a huge success, especially since the reports coastwide weren’t that great…
I had the next day off and Wade was due to arrive and as I went to the fuel dock to meet him…I couldn’t believe what I saw.
Wade had done what he has set out to do and dreamed of for years….this monster taped out at 68.7lbs I’ve seen some huge fish over the years and this was a monster for sure and the smile on his face says it all.

We all take chances and we all feel that someday it will happen to us and this year it happened to Wade…congratulations Bud!
I woke up the next morning wondering if it could have been me…my rod…maybe…maybe not and as I started out in the fog I reflected on the look on young Ken’s face as we brought his 43.5lbs of silver sea treasure aboard . Don his dad standing beside him, knowing how proud he was and how happy they both were…memories forever.
I smiled the rest of the day as chinook after coho after chinook hit the deck and as the day wore on, I realized that to young Ken….he had also caught a giant but the memory he shares with his dad Don is what is even more important to me and I was truely blessed to be apart of it…..
I think next year…I might take my son…and every year after that!

Foxtail-Offroad · Aug-20-2008, 09:16 PM

Not bad at all. Where were ya fishing?

Bear Cove · Aug-21-2008, 07:23 AM

Great report Chad,

I had a ton of fun on the water with you this year. Hard to believe it is over already. The toughest part was watching you hook up in front of me all summer. Had to leave a few times just to stop the bleeding!

We did miss you up on the trip this year, there were some hogs to be had. I have spent most of my life hunting for a fish like that and now I got it. Next year we will hunt one down for you.

Had a great summer, thanks for all the good times. See you in October for some Sturgeon Fishing.

Wade

richmake · Aug-21-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxtail-Offroad

Not bad at all. Where were ya fishing?

book a trip with us and we might show ya!

lkfshrwing · Aug-23-2008, 06:05 PM

Hey Chad ,,,those look real goooood,might have to book a trip next year for the giant hunters,,,,,,,Keep up the good work ,,,tightlines Allan,,,Mays Honda group,

**Cornfed** · Aug-26-2008, 01:19 PM

HOLY SHIT CHAD! My God man! Are there any left?

Those are some nice fishies fo sho. May have to visit your neck of the woods in '09. Glad to see that fishing is still fun even though it's your job.

You ever gonna make it down south for the albie run?

Way to come through.

capt josh · Sep-03-2008, 07:58 AM

Awesome report bro!!! Now finish up that season and getcher ass down here!

swelltime · Sep-03-2008, 08:54 AM

Chad,

Very awesome,,what a way to finish out the season.

weedeater · May-11-2009, 07:19 AM

great post chad