Latt-Change -
Thanks for the info - Don't get me wrong - I get the idea of a long wand being the best tool for stealthy backwater fishing, and I get the idea that many folks who cut their teeth on and/or are comfortable and versed with fly-fishing gear to take it into the suds - it makes fine sense -
But give me a little credit here...I'm not completely unfamiliar with the equipment - Just 'cuz don't get it doesn't mean I haven't looked into it....
It's just that I've bent my share of totem poles into a "U" over the gunwale for over an hour, some upwards of 3 hours, on 100-125 lb mono and I can't imagine the amount of time it might take on lighter tackle. Even a mako or thresher pup would challenge a 9 wt rod unless you play 'em to near death - or so it seems to me. Again - I'm not saying I'm 100% right, I'm just applying the knowledge and logic I've aquired over the last 40 years or so.
Granted, I have pals who are into it and swear they can whip a cow in faster on their 9's than I can with a heavier custom surf stick - that challenge has yet to be realized (we keep trying to hook up at the same time and run that race)
If the shark/fly record is a meager 109 lbs, a juvenile fish, it indicates to me that there have been some whooped 125 lb'ers breaking off after being tuckered out - again, this is purely speculation, but not unknowledgable speculation. Even On The Water Magazine has a video out of some knucklehead trying to land a 30 lb striper on 2 lb test line and releasing the fish. He hooked and lost about 20 fish but not before some were almost landed - meaning they were exhausted to the point that 2 lb test was adequate to control a fish that can otherwise burn the bearings out of a mid-grade spinning reel. Not cool, man....but just my opinion.
My point is that reviving a striper is possible and likely given the opportunity to do so. Holding a toothy meat shredder with fins is not likely and I just get the feeling that for every one responsible steward of the evironment such as yourself, there are 9 meat-heads killing juvenile fish in a fishery that is tenuous at best. |