The two that got away... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

tmc · 07-26-2010, 12:00 PM

I launched at LJ around 5:05am and got out to about 80' before I hit a school of green backs. I only planned to fish a couple hours, so I only put 3 in the bait tank and went out to about 110' and saw a shark swim by. Decided to flyline a mack and didn't have any bites for about 45 min as I wsa just slowly trolling the area.

Then, after I was about ready to head back in at 7am, I handed off one of my 3 green backs to a guy who was just catching spanish macks and decided to wait another 15 min before heading in. Trolled back to the south a little, then I saw the tail. It went straight for the mack, wacked him and then thrashed a little as he ate the bugger. This was my first thresher, so I got a little too excited and clicked the reel without noticing my drag was too tight and snap... the leader broke.

I saw another one jump out of the water right before my line broke, so I hurried and got my last green back on the hook and double checked my drag. This time the thresher ran fast and hard as soon as he hit the mack and my stupid line dug into the reel and again.. snap.

So, I was stoked to hook up 2 thresher, but pissed that I wasn't prepared. I only had my sabiki pole and this one pole this morning and I was set up with heavy braid to a 30lb floro leader. Was hoping more for YT, but found sharks instead.

I am all ears for what setup your guys use to catch thresher, as I would like to give it another go, but be more prepared this time as far as setup, drag, how much line to give and when, etc.

I am pretty new to ocean fishing, so I know I probably made a lot of mistakes. The biggest fish I've ever caught is a 32" northern pike, so salt water fish seem huge to me and have way more power than anything I've caught before.

-Trent

Mtobolsky · 07-26-2010, 12:47 PM

Wade???

wade · 07-26-2010, 02:08 PM

What do you ultimately plan on doing with it Trent?

tmc · 07-26-2010, 09:04 PM

I'm not sure what you mean. Are you asking why I want to catch a shark? I like fishing and like catching all types of fish.

If you are asking if I am keeping or releasing, the answer is mostly release. I've kept 3 out of the 100+ fish I've caught this year. Most were from my trip to MN where between 4 of us we caught over 500 fish and we ate two walleye and one pike and released the rest. So if I caught a shark, I'd probably keep one per year or so and try and release the rest. I hope I answered your question. I'm new here so I'm not sure if you meant something else, if so, just let me know.

Thanks Rolly for the PM, I appreciate the tips and the help.

-Trent

WahooUSMA · 07-27-2010, 06:15 AM

Catching T's are a kick in the nuts! Kudo's for wanting to release. Beautiful species......I've caught a lot of them, just haven't kept one - yet. Nothing against those that keep 'em, because they make the best fish tacos. I'll probably keep one soon, since my supply of T-meat is running low, and it's pissing Premo off when I ask him for T steaks every now and then....

Dan · 07-27-2010, 08:35 AM

welcome.

2-3/0 circle hooks are a good way to fish live bait and get that nice corner shot on the sharks. J hooks will often set inside the mouth or deeper, they'll usually chew you off. 30# gear should be fine for the sharks you would want to deal with on a kayak....this is also a good rig for the other targets out there...with all your fishing experience, you'll figure out the drag settings just fine.

07-26-2010, 12:00 PM	#1
tmc Junior Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 26	The two that got away... I launched at LJ around 5:05am and got out to about 80' before I hit a school of green backs. I only planned to fish a couple hours, so I only put 3 in the bait tank and went out to about 110' and saw a shark swim by. Decided to flyline a mack and didn't have any bites for about 45 min as I wsa just slowly trolling the area. Then, after I was about ready to head back in at 7am, I handed off one of my 3 green backs to a guy who was just catching spanish macks and decided to wait another 15 min before heading in. Trolled back to the south a little, then I saw the tail. It went straight for the mack, wacked him and then thrashed a little as he ate the bugger. This was my first thresher, so I got a little too excited and clicked the reel without noticing my drag was too tight and snap... the leader broke. I saw another one jump out of the water right before my line broke, so I hurried and got my last green back on the hook and double checked my drag. This time the thresher ran fast and hard as soon as he hit the mack and my stupid line dug into the reel and again.. snap. So, I was stoked to hook up 2 thresher, but pissed that I wasn't prepared. I only had my sabiki pole and this one pole this morning and I was set up with heavy braid to a 30lb floro leader. Was hoping more for YT, but found sharks instead. I am all ears for what setup your guys use to catch thresher, as I would like to give it another go, but be more prepared this time as far as setup, drag, how much line to give and when, etc. I am pretty new to ocean fishing, so I know I probably made a lot of mistakes. The biggest fish I've ever caught is a 32" northern pike, so salt water fish seem huge to me and have way more power than anything I've caught before. -Trent

07-26-2010, 02:08 PM	#3
wade Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,214	What do you ultimately plan on doing with it Trent? __________________

07-27-2010, 06:15 AM	#5
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	Catching T's are a kick in the nuts! Kudo's for wanting to release. Beautiful species......I've caught a lot of them, just haven't kept one - yet. Nothing against those that keep 'em, because they make the best fish tacos. I'll probably keep one soon, since my supply of T-meat is running low, and it's pissing Premo off when I ask him for T steaks every now and then.... __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

07-26-2010, 12:47 PM	#2
Mtobolsky Loves his member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 122	Wade???

07-26-2010, 09:04 PM	#4
tmc Junior Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 26	I'm not sure what you mean. Are you asking why I want to catch a shark? I like fishing and like catching all types of fish. If you are asking if I am keeping or releasing, the answer is mostly release. I've kept 3 out of the 100+ fish I've caught this year. Most were from my trip to MN where between 4 of us we caught over 500 fish and we ate two walleye and one pike and released the rest. So if I caught a shark, I'd probably keep one per year or so and try and release the rest. I hope I answered your question. I'm new here so I'm not sure if you meant something else, if so, just let me know. Thanks Rolly for the PM, I appreciate the tips and the help. -Trent

07-27-2010, 08:35 AM	#6
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	welcome. 2-3/0 circle hooks are a good way to fish live bait and get that nice corner shot on the sharks. J hooks will often set inside the mouth or deeper, they'll usually chew you off. 30# gear should be fine for the sharks you would want to deal with on a kayak....this is also a good rig for the other targets out there...with all your fishing experience, you'll figure out the drag settings just fine.