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

[BiggestT]

Mike, great story and photos.

Two bits of advice:

1) Get yourself a 50W two speed. Site fish the makos and feed them the appropriate gear based on size.

2) Get yourself a bigger fly gaff hook. Yours looks like a 4" hook. Minimum would be 8", preferably out of 5/8" stock. Ideal would be a 10" back banded hook. They ain't cheap and you won't use it that often, but when you do, you'll be glad you have it.

[DaGoose]

Great report and pics.

Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Sorry for the heartbreak.

Tight Lines,

Rick

[Fishingtail]

Great report and pic's, thanks.

[26grumpy]

Wow....great post ! Thanks for taking the time to put together your story. I'll bet it took as long to create your post as it did to fight that fish !

Looks like everyone won, you and the fish !

Thanks again, felt like I was right there with you !

[26grumpy]

Originally Posted by BiggestT

1) Get yourself a 50W two speed.

Or an Avet 30/02

[Tunaslam]

One hellacious fight, you gave it all you had, this time the shark won, you'll get em next time.

[Blackfish]

Originally Posted by ?? 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

Thanks for the good info..!!!

I thought about that during the fight, as we kept having to untie the rope and retie based on what corner the shark was at..The only problem with tying off on both cleats is I we would have had to pass the gaff under everytime the fish went to the other corner, and i felt it was already a little hairy fishing from the swimstep. Having to maneuver over the engine hatch, and stretch out and pass a gaff around my buddy while fighting the shark, did not sound safe to me.

Originally Posted by BuonaForTuna

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..

not sure about the regs on that one, but i know you can't harpoon, free gaff, or spear a game fish from a baot.

Originally Posted by BiggestT

Mike, great story and photos.

Two bits of advice:
Always appreciated!
1) Get yourself a 50W two speed. Site fish the makos and feed them the appropriate gear based on size.
This mako never showed its face until it was hooked up.....but some day i will upgrade to a two speed. My friend and i talked about how it would have been nice to have a two speed during the fight.
2) Get yourself a bigger fly gaff hook. Yours looks like a 4" hook. Minimum would be 8", preferably out of 5/8" stock. Ideal would be a 10" back banded hook. They ain't cheap and you won't use it that often, but when you do, you'll be glad you have it.
When the bank account allows.

Originally Posted by 26grumpy

Wow....great post ! Thanks for taking the time to put together your story. I'll bet it took as long to create your post as it did to fight that fish !

Looks like everyone won, you and the fish !

Thanks again, felt like I was right there with you !

Grump, thanks for the reply. Glad you enjoyed it, and yes the post took about two hours...more if you include all my spelling and grammar edits.


Thanks again for all the replies.

[sdjfish]

For those who want to kill bigger sharks please buy and read some appropriate literature on sharking first, Fred Archer's shark fisherman’s bible is a good start. Pay special attention to the sections called "Heed or Bleed".

Get a 6-8" flyer and practice on something first, boat cushion, boot, dead sea lion. If the gaff head comes out too easily that’s a problem, if it does not come out at all when connected,,,, that’s a bigger problem.

Guns and boats are a dangerous mix, play the end game the smart way and you will not need a gun.

Big sharks are dangerous at the boat, please be careful.

Great story.

[FishSupreme]

[QUOTE=BiggestT;1143629]Mike, great story and photos.

Two bits of advice:

1) Get yourself a 50W two speed. Site fish the makos and feed them the appropriate gear based on size.

QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing. It's like taking a pea shooter to a gun fight. Gear for the prey and your success ratio will increase tremendously.

[BLOCK]

Originally Posted by 26grumpy

Or an Avet 30/02

[booyaa]

mabee its a good thing you lost the fish, it was a good fight and no one got hurt. If you get alittle money together get a aftco flyer and be very carefull they can jump in the boat with you

[bloodyjack]

Dad, Nice report too bad you lost it. There is always next time (with me ).