10/30 - Skipjack sized giant

[backman]

Look what a frame grab shows

[southport05]

Very nice job Larry, and your crew too!!

[Animal 1]

Nice work guys.Wish we coulda found that size class.

[idigitu88]

Nice work guys.Wish we coulda found that size class.

They were there you just didn't hook one. Next time jig on the outskirts of a feed like that you'll findem down under the rats.

[SteelieDan]

Great read......nice fish too!

[AlloyToy]

Simply awesome....nice work to all hands

5 pounds past strike.....how many pounds of drag used on the fish??

[Dads Dream]

Cappy Backman- I truly enjoyed yet another post of yours...thanks for the great story and details~ triumph over that giant! your crew and team did a great job ~Rich

[chumtini]

They were there you just didn't hook one. Next time jig on the outskirts of a feed like that you'll findem down under the rats.

We marked em, once. But we didn't have animal's jig rod ready

Congrats again LB!

[backman]

who knows; enough to get the job done

Joking aside I religiously set my drags at strike at the dock by pulling on them till they seem tight enough and then going to full; taking a double wrap and running 100' down the dock to make sure they give at full.

When I'm scientific in the offseason/winter my guestimate method seems to set 20-24# at strike; 25-26 just past button and 30-34 at full. Thats more than enough for a 200# fish with a good angler and its also forgiving enough at strike for a novice angler not to get pulled overboard!

The 100# topshot makes for a lot less science and a bit more shadetree mechanic approach which suits my style. As long as full doesn't lock there's plenty of leeway to go well past strike once the fish has stopped the runs and is in the circle game.

I don't expect to see real giants trolling and am not interested in bait fishing so the 50's and moderate drag are more than enough for my needs.

Note the 30# class Penn rod had plenty of back to influence the fish to swim upwards when Kirk needed to.

(I am looking for another Penn 30 for anyone moving up to 80's )

[Fissues]

Great to meet you today and thanks so much for delivering your props and parts to me. Now to get back out and do it your way hopefully those props come with some Skipjack JuJu!!
Congrats and enjoy the 50wides,
You saved my arse, thanks!