12-28 Bft, 103" 455lbs

[Baywolf]

Pretty work Jim, congrats on the monster. Everyone has made apparent they like a good story so tell them the whole thing. We went by you during the battle and I heard the radio and the story after how bout sharing with all these good folks. By the way did you get the boat fixed yet? C'mon fellas get him to spill!

[Sea Draggin]

Just for you Bro.

We hooked up right at day light. I had my Dad ( my designated driver ) on the boat and Craig who is a fairly good sized boy so I decided to run a 5 line spread in hopes of getting a double. Dad has killed several fish with me including doubles, so I was confident.

I had 4 - 80's and 1 - 50 wide, to make my spread. I though I would put the 80's farther out and the 50 up close. Up until last year all our fish were on 50's, because thats all we had and could afford. We used Shimano's with 80lb drag washers. Well, I never got the 5th line out before we hooked up on the one 50 we had out.

Everthing was going like clock work, until I realized the 50 wouldn't stay in low gear. I had just put new backing (Jerry Brown hollow 130) and top shot (Sufix superior 100lb) on it. When I put the handle back together, I guess it didn't go just right. I could push the button and get it in low, but as soon as I quit cranking it would pop back into high gear. That is what really hurt us.

The hours ticked by and I though the fish would eventually wear out. I knew we were in for it, when in the 4th hour(thats right 4th hour) the fish came by the boat perfectly upright. It never corked. When we got to hour 5, I pulled back the drag from full, which was probably about 40lbs(strike set at 32) turned the knob full until it wouldn't turn any more, then through the reel back to full. Now I don't know what a 50wrls is capable of at all the way cranked down, but that fish took line "at will" for another hour with the reel completely cranked down. Maybe mid 50's drag pressure. I really don't know.

The fish never turned on its sides after hours and hours ( several bottles of water, a busted rod holder, nearly a busted rod ) The fish finally made a death spiral under the boat, came up and hit the bottom of the boat. I yelled at Dad to throw it in neutral and when the fish came out from the back side of the boat, I hit him with the poon before he could take off again.

During the day I had made several attempts to poon the beast, but it was so big that it was actually farther under water than we thought. It was very deceptive. We got him strung to the side of the boat and bled.

Just as we were bringing him over another boat came by, so after a long day I called them over and they help with the final step of bringing it over the side.

Like I said pure luck. I can't say enough good things about Sufix Superior. That 100lb. top shot had bottom paint on it from one end to another. From a pure sporting aspect the fight was right at 6:1 ratio. Thats like catching a 50lb yellowfin on an 8lb outfit for comparison.

[oldmud]

Jim: nice fish!!, great story, Into the 5th. hr. on a 50 with single speed WOW! You had the presence to back off, crank up and back on the drag . And you call that LUCK? you'r much to humble man. CONGRAT'S on a job well done. Don.

[BlueFin103]

Let me tell you...that was the best fishing experience for me to date! I'm Craig (the goofy, worn-out guy watching the fish bleed in the first picture)...it was everything I could do just to support myself for the pic!

I'm relatively new to offshore fishing (and to SFC), but have had the privilege to fish with Jim multiple times. I can't say enough of how much he has taught me and just how much fun the days are when I'm out fishing with him (and his dad!)
Not only is he a great captain, but a great guy as well.

Thanks again Jim for that experience...and thanks to all for the nice posts!

Craig