Seaworm1

First off I wanted to say thanks to captKev, OnTheEdge, and a Big thank you to Capt. Curt for all the advice for my first sharking attempt. The plan was to hit the bank at first light for bft, and then head further east after the bite to try my hand at raising some sharks. Well apparently all three of us who were going out on the water hit the snooze button a few too many times, and didnt make it to the ramp untill about 7am, so The tuna plan was scratched and headed 28 miles east at 14 knots through the blowing slop. ( time for a bigger boat) Two hours later, chum was in the water, oil at a steady drip, the seas had leveled out a bit, and the sun had decided finally break through. about 45 minutes after setting up I saw my first visitor, this being the first time i've actually seen a finning shark instantly got me all types of exited and I clearly remember shouting In a pre-pubesent girls voice "holly sh*t, this chum actually works!" The two guys I were out with were good friends, but niether was a fisherman, and that in itself made for a rather interesting and nervous experience.

After a short fight I see the nasty array of the teeth boatside, and scream "Mako!". Now I really wasnt planing on taking any fish today, mostly because I was expecting nothing but blues, but I had made a promise to bring back mako meat if I got into any, and the harpoon wasnt even ready. Greg Buell who was on the rod mananged to keep the fish under controll while i readied the harpoon, and got a good shot in right in the throat. The poon rope was tied off, high fives were exchanged, and in all of the exitement, and novice ignorance, I unfortunately thought that the fish was ours. I will NEVER make the mistake again of thinking that the harpoon alone is enough to hold a 7 ft shark. I was foolish in not imediately tail roping him, and as embarrassed as I am to say it, the mako did not make it back to the docks. Call that a lesson learned.

We finished the day with a double up of blues, one approx 180 lbs, and the other that broke off boatside when the lines crossed had to have been pushing 300! We left the slick with a few other sharks still in it, And as far as a first attempt at sharking goes......well I didnt really expect this kind of action, though this may be considered a bum day for you that go sharking all the time, I couldnt have asked for any better! Thanks again to those who gave your Advice. Fred lavitman "CHAISIN TAIL"

74Formula233

Some of the best lessons in life are learned the hard way! One thing I am POSITIVE of.....you will NEVER be guilty of not having enough lines on your next keeper LOL!

BTW, I try to put both the poon and the flyer in a Mako (plus a tail rope), if you have both and have the time......helps stun them more, bleed them more, and it's one more rope (and hell, it's good practice shots too lol).

And I wouldn't call a shark trip with a Mako a bum day! That's what I hope for when I go.....Mako, Thresher....something to put meat in the freezer. Blue sharks help pass the time, and get me a ton of free hats LOL.

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jahootie

THANK GOD HE DID NOT MAKE IT IN THE BOAT , THEY LOVE TO PLAY POSSUM...STILL AN AWSOME DAY


JA-HOOTIE

Seaworm1

a few pics from sharkin

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fightingcouch

those are blue sharks!!!!!!!!!

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Blake Conlin
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CaptKev

Fred,

First of all, you are welcome, and congrats to bringing a mako to the boat on your first shark trip! There are many shark fishermen out there, including me, that would have killed for a mako on their first trip! However, do not ever, and I mean ever, think for a second that the battle is over until the fillets are in the freezer. Even a small, undersized mako will happily tear you and your boat up given the chance. And by the way, cut loose blue sharks, bringing them in the boat is an invitation for unnecessary disaster...

jahootie

how was the blue shark? never had it

Seaworm1

The pics are those of a blue that was brought to the guys own a chinese resteraunt nearby. (aparently they dont care what they eat.) LIke I said, unfortunately the mako never made it inside the boat, Poor judgment amidst exitement on my part.

Seaworm1

SO what is the best thing to do before boating a mako.... going at the gills with a filet knife?, beating his head in? I obviously dont want any accidents, and I did see first hand those rows and rows and rows of teeth!

Captain Curt

Wow I guess you had a great first trip!!!!!!!

I made the same mistake. tire them out and keep them well off the boat until you are sure they are worn down and you are confident you and your crew are ready to take the shark.

Did it jump at all?? how long did you fight it for?????

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