Max'd Out 1/9 report. Unbelievable......

[Max'd Out]

We went out yesterday at about 6:30pm and were setup on the 50 line by 8:30pm. The night was very slow with a slashed bait till about 11:00pm. At around that time I decided to take a break from working the tip rod and started drinking a bottle of water. While I was taking a drink, I glanced over to the side of the boat into the water while sitting down on the gunnel and about 4 feet away I see a 10-12 foot Mako shark next to me, apparently staring straight at me. It was glowing due to the blue Hydroglow lighting up the water all around us. I complete freak out at first. It was like a shock at that moment. The first thing I did was stand up and move over to the center of the boat. It was a paralizing moment at first. I then regained my posture and went over to my tackle box and took out my Mako rig with about 15 foot of cable leader. I preceeded to bring up my tip rod which I had been working up and down the water column to re-rig it. It was at about 500 ft depth at the time and took what I thought was forever to bring up. I even experienced muscle cramps when I finally had it up. While I was bringing up the rod and Mako kept on circling the boat. He made about 3 passes, each time getting a little further away.. By the time I re-rigged, it was too late. The Mako had ventured off into the darkness.
This is an exerience I will never forget. But next time I'll be ready with an additional rod on board just in case this happens again... Hopefully I'll get him next time.

[e-money]

Spooky, I have yet to tangle w a big Mako & win.

Reminds me of a shrk encounter of my own in the Bahamas. We were catching muttons at night, on the anchor. I reached over the side, to wash the scales & slime off my hand from re-baiting. As I did so, there was a LARGE Bull shark about 3' below the surface & within "biting" range.

Honestly turned pale white & have never forgot that moment. Thank god he did not bite my ass !!

[quack quack]

Sharks don't scare me unless I am in the water with a bull or they are 25ft plus.

[ameristrat]

I feel similar - but still, I'd much rather look down and see a swordfish than a shark - less shock, more fun

[JoeP58]

Great story!. As for you guys who aren't afraid of a mako........Mako Sharks are highly acrobatic and deserve a great deal of respect. I've tangled and caught more than my share of them growing up in the Northeast. Have you ever sceen one charge the boat and leap clear over / across the transom. That's something a Bull, or Tiger or for that matter no other shark on this coast will do!. Be careful, very careful with Mako's. Better luck next time Max'd Out!

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!!!!!

[quack quack]

Yeah Joe I hear ya.I am from Montauk and have got more then my share of Makos.I have even seen a 6 hr out of the water dead one bite some body.Not to mention even after many hrs of being dead if you cut out its heart and give it a rub in water it will start beating again!!I respect them but I do not fear them.Of course I got my shark attitude from my old neighbor in Montauk Frank Mundas.

[Mike]

wow that is pretty crazy.. mako was probably thinking of how to catch you...

[shipmate bill]

that reminds me of this fall i had a mako around 500 lbs do the same thing in the North east canyons off of NJ. I fought with my buddies telling them it was a mako and not a blue shark. When i hooked it and it did 4 big jumps they believed me. As i brought the fish boat side the gaff man froze and wouldn't/couldn't sink the flier. It was one of the funniest things i've ever seen. as i said "stick em" he'd back from the rail another step. The fish made a big run and wrapped me in a lobster pot and escaped but what an awesome fish. Good luck with the makos just treat them with respect a 200 lb mako is like 180lbs of swing baseball bat connected to a running chain saw.

[DonK]

Two Rules on my boat:

1) never bring a live Mako in the boat;

2) never Bring a live Mako in the boat!

[ameristrat]

Yea, I'd agree with that. I've never had one up by the boat but you here at least two or three stories a year of makos destroying boats or biting people after they are presumed dead. A particular favorite of mine ended with a 'dead' mako trashing a center console while the crew jumped in the water and stayed there for three or four hours until it finally stopped moving. Respect and fear are different issues. I respect the power and danger of makos incredibly - possibly more than any other animal in the ocean, but I don't fear them. It's better that way any way. If you freeze with fear in a moment when you need to be completely alert... fishing can be very dangerous at times...

[EnveMarineArt]

Stick him with the 'poon next time, my buddy stuck a 400 pounder swimming under the hydroglow and chased 2 bouys around for an hour till they landed him....still wasnt dead after dragging back to the docks.

[Fishalways]

This is why I am buying one of these soon.



Only $439.00, plus shipping and handling.



No, really this is what I am getting.
Legal and legit.

[DIRTYFOOT2]

Finally stepped over the edge eh? Damm Wabbits

[Fishalways]

Originally Posted by DIRTYFOOT2

Finally stepped over the edge eh? Damm Wabbits

I took a flying leap without a parachute.
I am so far beyond any inkling of PC at this point I am losing friends.