Spooled Off of Lauderdale

[Tuna Devil]

Originally Posted by billspilingup

It's your first time daytiming, you hook something you can't stop despite driving the boat around like a madman, and lose all your line...

I'll be the unpopular guy and suggest you snagged bottom. The angle, belly, and direction and speed of the boat conspired to make it seem like a fish.

My only hesitation is you state you were 4 miles south of where you hooked up but my faith in that figure is tempered by the mix up of SW and SE in your initial post... my thinking is that someone who makes that mistake may not be as careful logging the position of the bite therefore making the 4 mile number suspect.

Now, before everyone attacks me, allow me to curl up into a protective ball... okay, I'm set... punch away...

.............

[bajakian]

If you believe any of the story, theres no way that it was bottom. They said that they got the bite in 700 feet of water, no where near the bottom. Also the bottom doesnt take off really fast and if you motor into the current it should keep more line from paying out. Anyways I m still believing that it was a big fish, maybe foul hooked.

[Tuna Devil]

I do not think it was bottom either but I liked the curling up in a ball because of the unpopular idea.

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by quack quack

TD and BBP the reason you never caught a fish with a lot of line on it is simple.The hook rusts out and the line goes away! Come on guys you know that. But yes match your gun to your prey.

Eric,

Where I fished the hook size is +9/0 or Jap Circle Hooks, many with zinks attached. Those hooks do not rust away in a day or two. As a matter of fact I have caught tons of fish (mostly shark) with as many as 3 or 4 old hooks lodged in their mouths, some rusty some new. The reason we never see fish with long lengths of line attached is because they either continue to fight the drag of the line until death or they become entangled to death. A fish that survives after spooling a reel has won the lottery.

[teamr2]

I appreciate all the responses and sharing of knowledge. Pretty sure we are going to go max drag from the get go for a while and go that route until we start pulling hooks. I certainly never meant to kill this fish by tangle and for the life of me, I still can't believe we got spooled. Have been thinking about bumping up the 80 to a 130 class reel but I don't want to take the "sport" out of it and I can't imagine getting spooled again. Am anxious to try the daytime gig up here off of Pensacola which is where I'm from. You guys down there in SE Florida are really lucky to have such a fishery at your doorstep and I can't wait to get back down there. Whatever kind of fish we hooked, I'm certain it was the largest fish I've ever been involved with. Thanks again, James

[Raggingit]

It could have been a sub but chances are it was a shark or some other big fish. The only thing i would have done different is, I would have tightened the drag and see if i could get it to come up if not you would have at least saved your line......

Sounds like a great day at sea
Better luck next time my friend


Eddie
Team Martha

[Broadbill-Pro]

Originally Posted by teamr2

I certainly never meant to kill this fish by tangle

None of what I wrote pertains to you guys, you made every effort to use adequate gear. Tough break for you and the fish. Sht happens.

[PUMPKIN]

GBFT....no doubt....heard that bowman is gunna kill one in tuna alley on bart's boat....

[No Patience]

you mightaa had bottom!!!

[Shark Meat]

Makes for a very exciting day though. Sorry you missed 'em.

[the codfather]

Sounds like a bluefin. They sometimes go deep. I've been spooled on a penn 130 with 250lb braid. Never even slowed down. We barely had time to get off the anchor.