Jewfish on a Spinner

[shoefish]

Well, I'm psyched to finally be posting up a report about this. For the last year I've made it a goal to catch a jewfish on a spinning reel and a jigging rod. In the spring I hooked up to one but pulled the hook, and I've been thinking about that minute ever since.

Yesterday I got another shot, and while we didn't come across any behemoths...you know, the ones that eat 4' sharks (ask Pepe about that story sometime) ...I did get a chance to put a bend in a rod and do battle with some 80ish pounders.

I went out with Pepe (pepescharters.com) and brought along Diego (pescandoenloscayos.net) who wanted to videotape the gringo loco who wanted to target jewfish with a spinner for his spanish tv and internet show.

With a 10 knot northerly breeze we cruised into the gulf about 20 miles and anchored up current of some structure that lit up like a christmas tree when we drove over it. With chum in the water the wait began, and it didn't take long for the first little guy to come calling.

BTW, at this point I should tell you that I was also trying a prototype Synit 550 BFT rod. I figured, if you really want to see what a rod can do, try it out on the angriest, meanest fish you can think of. With stories of jewfish that attack scuba divers in my head, I knew that this would be a great way to pop the cherry.

So back to the little guy. The first fish that couldn't resist was a little one that took the bait and tried to run back to the structure...I think he was a little shocked when he couldn't make any headway- see in the picture, his jaw dropped he's so surprised. He was to the surface in probably a minute or two.




Now that the cherry was popped it was time to go after some bigger ones. We slapped a big bait on and the wait began. Again, it didn't take long and I was tight.




A few minutes later and his bigger brother came on up to say hello.

Look at the size of the pec fin- it's as big as my head


After we released him and got set up again, another one of roughly the same size came calling. A paparazzi moment and he was off to wreak more havoc on the reef.




So, I learned a couple of things on this trip- first, targeting Jewfish on spinners is absolutely do able. Second, the Synit prototype rod is sick and I really need to get it bent on some enormous fish to see what it can do. Third, the gill rakers on these fish are shaaaaaaaarp

Diego will be editing the footage and putting it up on Youtube in the coming weeks, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that came out.

The next goal for me will be one of these things, on a spinner, at over 200 pounds...let the games begin

Shoe

[Sea Draggin]

Thats some interesting guide placement on the rod.

Thanks for the wonderful report Dan!

[anuvat]

Really awesome to see that you had a great time brother. Congrats and next time I'll be there with you.

[paul708]

nice looking fish.
what did you think it weighed?


Jim, they are the surf guides fuji makes.
they were designed for long spinner surf rods.
but some guys are using them on conventional rods.
they work well, the frame is high for clearance,
and they also come with a alconite ring for pricing

[Nepptune]

Farkin AWESOME Dan!!!

Nice work bruddha!!!

[Captain Michael Buffington]

thats really cool stuff man. I read a little about that Synit Fishing LTD on facebook. Looking forward to some "lengendary" post out of them...What did you use for bait?

Mike

[gman]

Thats some interesting guide placement on the rod.

Thanks for the wonderful report Dan!

That rod was built from a blank specifically for this trip, Andy used some low rider looking guides to test them and from what I understand from shoe they worked fairly well

[gman]

Shoe congrats on a great trip bro, as always you nailed it and your starting to make it all look to easy. Im glad you enjoyed the rod that we have been working on. Great report and cool hat

[Custom Canvas]

Great report and cool hat

DITTO!!

CC OUT

[Squidnation]

Shoe you are my hero. Doesn't matter if it is fishing from some little island in the middle of nowhere, mexico or jigging for Volkswagons and Big BFT you always seem to score. Congrats on achieving another goal. You should get sponsored by those rod people. No one better on the board here for cool worldwide press.