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Guys - below are two posts one from Capt Mark and one from the angler on our boat yesterday. They released a 600 Pound Giant on a Jig!!!!
Capt Mark's Post:
Pretty amazing catch .. something I would not have thought possible even after yesterdays fish ... everything was right .. great angler on the rod and gear that held up under tremendous pressure .. keep in mind we are fishing in over 1000 fathoms. Greg put the heat to him with 32lbs of drag from the reel and extra pressure with his hand when needed. This fish dogged him out for hours down deep and only occasionally came up top where we could gain line more easily. I kept telling Greg to be patient and eventually he would come up .. we fabricated a harness lug system during the fight so Greg could use a harness to apply more pressure more comfortably. Most of all , he never gave up and kept steady pressure and seized every opportunity to gain line , even when it was just inches. The rod blew me away.. certainly looked l ike it had more left in it and I didnt get that feeling it was going to shatter at any moment ... at about the 3-1/2 hr mark, the fish was within 100 feet and we were feeling positive ... the fish then proceeded to burn off 200 yards making everyone just shake their head ... we all knew it was a big fish, but it wasnt until around the 4 hr mark we got a good look at it as it swam at the surface 20 feet from the boat .. had we been commercial fishing , the harpoon would have been flying. It looked bigger than any other bluefin I have caught in NC, which went 99 inches .. i think its safe to say, the fish was easily 550 to 600 ... cant wait to see some pics or video
Angler's Post:
Guys,
I made it back safetly last night at 2am. Thank you all so much for all of the kind words. I certainly have steped in something this year, that's for sure. The Canyon Runner is an awesome vessel and operation. Capt Mark is probably the best tuna fisherman on the coast, and one of the best in the world for sure. He could probably catch a tuna in a dumpster! I would have had no chance without his skill on the sticks and the mate Hook as well.
I have been saying for a bit now that I think the JM reels and black hole rods are legit and the "real deal", obviously this cinches it.
I said before that I am going to be spending this year tweaking my tackle in preparation for the Royal Star next year. Two weeks ago I almost got spooled with about 350yds of 100lb Momoi Hollow braid. Thankfully I crammed 460yds of Varivas PE8 on there since the last trip. This was fortunate as the initial run was 400yds, practically straight down with 32lbs of drag. Also, thankfully I brought the Braid spin strap and figured out how to use it for the PE8 reel or else I would have been in trouble. As it was I fought the fish for almost 2 hours without the harness. I have some good "bendo" pics coming in a day or so. Lots of video, but mostly just grinding and reefing on this fish. We do have a clip of when the fish came up at the end 20ft from the boat. I really hope it does this fish justice. If we could have killed it, I am CERTAIN Mark would have stoned it with the harpoon as it was fully broadside for 5-8 seconds. After that (the 4 hour mark!) It went straight down 500ft against 32lb drag!
The fish spit the hook 200ft down 15 minutes later. Nothing failed! Everything performed flawlessly! I spoke with Kil, I do think there is still some need for a 550gm version of the black hole rods. Also, I would still jump on a PE10 reel as I am concerned not so much about Bluefin but the stories I hear about 200+lb yellowfin that we just did not encounter this February.
As for the fight, Travis is right, physically I am a completely different person than October. The p90x videos are also the "real deal", although anything you do for an hour a day at that intensity is going to work. Without that, I would not have lasted. Dont ignore your core or your legs!
I tried to eliminate every "asterisk" possible that would have taken away from this achievement. NO ONE else TOUCHED the rod! I am a bit bummed that we didnt get it a little closer to the boat so that is was officially "caught", but the more I think about it, what could we possibly have done with it had we gotten it boatside? Drag it in the boat for pics? I guess, but what a project! Ultimately we could not keep it anyway. i really hope the fish survives. It was digging the whole time so it didnt seem to worse for wear.
Anyway, I will post pics and vids tomorrow! Thanks guys!
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MOHEGAN SUN SEMINAR - HUGE DISCOUNTS!!!
Our Mohegan Sun Seminar is just around the corner and we are going to continue to offer a big Sale to any past Seminar attendee for any year for Seminar - NY, AC or New England. We are giving any past attendee 50% off tickets as an added incentive to make it to our last Seminar of 2010 – thus your ticket will be only $60!!
But we are going to follow up this great offer with 30% off for any new Seminar participants as well to keep it fair!!
In addition to all the Seminar topics we've already advertised we are going to add some special incite on the amazing Bluefin jigging we've been doing these past few trips with both Kil Song and Capt Mark taking time in their breakout sessions to cover this amazing fishery.
So if you want in on this great deal you have to call by tomorrow at 732-842-6825 or email me at adam@canyonrunner.com.
All tickets need to be purchased by Monday - we have 200 tickets sold and will tap out at 300 so please call ASAP.
Look forward to seeing everyone there!!!! I'll post pictures as soon as we get them.
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Originally Posted by Bluewater Sportfishing
