Canyon Runner/Big Boy 718lb Mako 1/10/2005

[Canyon Runner]

Fishing on the Big Boy with Capt. Jason Neadel and mate Rudy and myself we started off an average night of swording with a quick bite 10 minutes after setting up, but pulling the hook. Around 8pm i am letting the short rod out and he grabs it on the fly...after letting him eat for a while I set up and fight is on. He screamed line for a 100yds and then i slowly winched him to the boat. Unfortunately he was tail wrapped and pretty much dead when he got to the boat. So we keep the 51" sword for the table. Just as we are letting lines back and the swords blood starts working its way into the slick Ms. Mako shows up. We quickly get the shark rig out, a 10lb hunk of the sword and after 2 missed chances FISH ON! She screamed out 100yds easy and then we had total slack and she was screaming back at the boat. Capt Jason caught up to her on the rod and I grabbed the leader just as she passed by and got her close enough to get the job done early.
She measued 128" from fork to lower jaw and had a 67" girth. No scales around Hillsboro are big enough, even Tom Greens only goes to 600 and he says he has the biggest scale around those parts. So the length girth formula puts her at 718 and the mako length weight chart says 740. Instead of letting her sit in the warmth overnight and ruining the meat she is cleaned and packed so she stays nice and fresh...
This is by far a fish of a lifetime...Capt. Jason and Rudy are top notch and I feel lucky to have been a part of this experience, especially as leaderman. This is an event we will enjoy for the rest of our lives!
Justin
canyon Runner Sortfishing