How Many MONSTAHS Did It TAKE,,,,,,,,,,

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by tynan19

Something that might help like Dangles said is patience and keeping calm. Try not to get two worked up, relax and enjoy the fight. Recently I was aked to go fish for Steelhead. I was very fortunate to be shown this fishery by a few veteran steelheaders. It is different than striper fishing but landing the big fish is the same. The large fish that could be landed generally were going to be landed by those guys who were confident and knew how to fight them from experience. I lost the first five fish I hooked because I freaked out. I had so much adrenilne pumping I couldn't think. Each fish I hooked I fought longer than the next till I eventually landed one. Knowing your area is also a key. Knowing when to let the fish run and when to put pressure is a big part. Having knots and everything in top condition is a must. If there is any weak part in your system it will be found. No amount of "practice"beats the actual time hooked up with a large fish. There is no way to get a feel for them until you have spent enough time battling them. Loosing the battle only makes you more aware of your mistakes. Fix those mistakes in the next fight and you are closer to landing that fish. Repeat each mistake and you loose.

WOW, very well said Tynan!

and exactly where i am, thanks for the encouragement
aand for sharing yer progression. i do believe that '09 is THE year!!!

[RickBomba]

I might not be the best one to comment (as I don't catch a lot of monsters), but the biggest fish that I ever had on, I landed. Now, let it be said that this was on a boat, but it took me and my crew by surprise, and I caught it on a rod built for schoolies (on a 40 year old boat). The fish took 180 yards of line off a 965 on a 7 foot gloomis, and my buddies couldn't figure out how to pull the anchor or start the engine, so I was stuck.
Kept my wits about me, was patient, and didn't choke by tightening the drag when I was almost out of line.
Hard to say what I would have done on a rock at night (probably would have never believed that there was that much line out), but be patient, keep an eye out for what's going on around you, AND DON'T SCREW UP WHEN THE FISH IS IN CLOSE.
That's my best advice, but then again, it's been a while since I have had a big fish on, sooooo.

[BassDawg]

thanks emgred and Rick!!!


good stuff gents, patience seems to be
the operative word, and HEAVY GEAR!!!

i currently run 25#BCountry on the spool, to
(was thinking of stepping up to 30# spool line)

60# Ande pink mono snelled, to
a 6/0~8/0 Gammi, Octopus, dependent
on the size of snakes i'm slingin',,,,,,,,,,

[OLD GOAT]

BassDawg This is what helped me the most Backoff your drag untill you can pull line off your reel between your pinky and your thumb and when a fish takes half a spool of line backoff the drag some more. YouDON,T want that big fish untill it has pulled off a couple hunderd yds.I think that will knock the fight out of her before she get stoshore rocks. hope this helps. DON,T GET STAGE FRIGHT AND TIGHTEN THE DRAG