Heartbreak at Mako Ridge w/pics 10-12-08

[vinsp]

To bad better luck next time nice report

[doughboy777]

Thanks for the report great read..I know that feeling time heals everything! At least you got a killer picture of it..Good job!

[medunn16]

That's some good stufffffffffffffffffffffffff!!:a ppl:



Great shots!

[A-Fishy-Nado]

Awesome, that was awesome!

[peznino]

Nice report Mr Mike, those baby ones are a blast on 20lb. Those are some cool pics too.

[fishhawk]

next time pull out a gun and shoot the shark in the head, if you plan on keeping it to eat much safer a green mako or even a tired mako on a flying gaff can get harry a 22 between the eyes works for us. cool pics

[BLOCK]

Originally Posted by fishhawk

next time pull out a gun and shoot the shark in the head, if you plan on keeping it to eat much safer a green mako or even a tired mako on a flying gaff can get harry a 22 between the eyes works for us. cool pics

the gills are a better place to shoot IMO...

[doug dorsey]

Thanks for a great read and nice photos, there is always next time!

[Blackfish]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Good story and pics. Looks like you're trying to sink the gaff using only the velcro with the end of the line tied to a cleat (makes it hard to sink the gaff).

Most flygaffs have a "V" notched into the butt (if not, make one). Pull the line tight and where the line matches the "V" in the butt, tie a knot in the line and slip the knot into the "V". Then secure the line to a cleat. This will give you a lot more sinking power into the fish and also keeps the hook from releasing early if you happen to accidently twist it. When you twist the gaff to release the hook the knot will usually come right out of the "V".....and away you go!

Yeah I screwed up..I didn't check the gaff to make sure the break away was set right....I'm a dumb ass. Believe me, I'm still kicking myself. I also admit, I didn't quite know the simple mechanics of the gaff...user error, not gaff malfunction, I haven't taken the time to look at the gaff since the loss...It may very well be broken.

Originally Posted by BLOCK

I just use duck tape and wrap the rope to the stick (only one wrap) near the hook of the gaff...its the perfect amount of pressure to break off when you stick the shark..that was a nice one, bummer you lost it...

My quick fix was a zip tie...

Originally Posted by peznino

Nice report Mr Mike, those baby ones are a blast on 20lb. Those are some cool pics too.

Alec, good talking to you Saturday out front. I thought about tieing up one o the tuna rods, but I had to much going on around me to mess with it at the time.

Originally Posted by fishhawk

next time pull out a gun and shoot the shark in the head, if you plan on keeping it to eat much safer a green mako or even a tired mako on a flying gaff can get harry a 22 between the eyes works for us. cool pics

You know I thought about that, but it seems unsporting to me. I can see the up side of using a gun...you kill the fish faster, and less chance of a mortally wounded or over exhausted fish coming off and dieing later....but it just wouldn't feel the same once you got it on the boat. Plus, I don't own any handguns .

Thanks for all the replies. It was a great trip, and I had to share the exsperience.

I added more pics.

[?? fisherman]

Dont cleat off your flying gaff! Instead have a loop in the end of your flying gaff rope (most flyers should have this) and then take a second rope and run the loop end of your flying gaff rope thru this second rope and then cleat off the second rope to both sides of your transom with a slight belly in the rope.

This will now give you a much safer and effective system where the flyer rope will be able to slide and follow the fish from one side to another.

The unknown fisherman

[BuonaForTuna]

Originally Posted by Blackfish

Yeah I screwed up..I didn't check the gaff to make sure the break away was set right....I'm a dumb ass. Believe me, I'm still kicking myself. I also admit, I didn't quite know the simple mechanics of the gaff...user error, not gaff malfunction, I haven't taken the time to look at the gaff since the loss...It may very well be broken.



My quick fix was a zip tie...



Alec, good talking to you Saturday out front. I thought about tieing up one o the tuna rods, but I had to much going on around me to mess with it at the time.



You know I thought about that, but it seems unsporting to me. I can see the up side of using a gun...you kill the fish faster, and less chance of a mortally wounded or over exhausted fish coming off and dieing later....but it just wouldn't feel the same once you got it on the boat. Plus, I don't own any handguns .

Thanks for all the replies. It was a great trip, and I had to share the exsperience.

I added more pics.

I carried my 9mm XD9 for a trip a buddy of mine told me that it was illegal to shoot the fish and i could be fined heavily for doing so carrying a firearm on board was ok just as long as i didnt use it on any kind of game which made no sense to me as to why but it is in the regs i dont give a shit i would do the same as you guys one between the fucking eyes but just a word to the wise read up on this if you think im full of shit but you cannot shoot a fish to land it on the boat..

[FishAbility]

better luck next time. good story. hate to say ive had it happen more times than once...