RI Popper

I've been on the winning side and losing side with Mako's luckily I never got bitten. Alwayse play safe. I had one break 2 gaffs and jump a harpoon when we thought he was dying. They are mean creatures. But they do taste yummy . I will alwayse make sure they are good and dead before taking them into the boat even the Threshers. Here's a little example of a thresher wip I got from a 300 pounder last year. Man it felt like I got hit with a baseball bat.

Anyway congrats on the first Shark. Enjoy it and Bon Apitite'

Armand

__________________
"Fish are a gift from God, by way of a good Lure"
www.atlanticoffshorelures.com

74Formula233

Let's say this much for sure.......

EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT

With experience, you will make a judgement once it is boatside.....be it whether you hit the fore or aft end first. Either way, the goal should be to get a couple/few ropes on it by harpoon, gaff, and/or tail rope. Get the tail out as soon as you SAFELY can.

However, just sticking a shark behind the dorsal isn't going to guarantee getting it's tail out of the water! You're going to have one pissed off SOB, and if you haven't seen it before, they can turn their head around like a friggin' horseshoe, so reaching down for the tail at that point can be a dangerous proposition!

Every situation being different, I still prefer to knock the SOB for a loop in the head/gills area, and quickly use a fixed gaff to scoop up the tail. That accomplishes BOTH: buying yourself a few moments of "loopy time", and being able to get the tail out of the drink and hopefully rope it.

Either way, this thread has brought out a lot of information for you to digest.......good luck on your next trip

__________________