Something Giant, Something Unknown

[brysky]

Tackle Used:

Rod: Shakesphere "Ugly Stick" 6'6 MH (30-50lbs.)

Reel: Penn 950 SSM (30Lbs./300yd.) 4.6:1 ratio

Line: Momoi's Big Catch Diamond Line 30lbs test (clear)

Hook: Gamakatsu 1/4 oz. round jighead

Bait: Berkely "Gulp" 4" Natural Shrimp

Knot: Uni knot for the jighead to the line

Location:

Sarasota, Florida under a bridge on a 16" ft johnboat. between 9:30-11:00pm est. 10-30 feet water depth, water temp in mid 60's

Now my buddy and I have been fishing these bridges a few weeks now and were using a lesser setup and kept getting our line snapped when trying to reel in what we though were just snags... well we got tired of that so got something better.

So last night we dropped his girlfriend and her brother off after a day of fishing in the bay and him and I went to our bridge spot. He and I are catching a bunch of lady fish between 8inch-2feet, but start to notice that they are jumping out of the water as if being chased themselves instead of chasing something.

So I cast in just ahead of where I saw two jump and it was right in the pilings of the cent of the bridge for boat traffic. I let the line sink before starting to slowly reel with a slight jerk every couple turns, but as soon as I could turn the reel a second time I had a huge jerk on the line more then a lady fish so I thought I must have gotten snagged.

Now the diamond line has a breaking strength of 56lbs I think. So I was thinking I would just try to unsnag before I would cut it. But my line was bending my rod and moving a bit and I knew then I was in for a fight. I fought it for about a hour and 15min give or take 5 min.

I let the drag out at first pretty loose and then towards the end I tightened it, I knew it was a fish and not a piling because it was moving on me and when I was making headway on it bringing it up. Now it didn't move very much.

after about a hour of fighting my friend mentioned he told his girlfriend we would be down and have the boat loaded and heading home by 10pm it was already 10:15pm so I start to try to rush myself and tighten the drag even more and reel the bad boy in.

The line ended up snapping... I will never know how big or what it was, the only things I can think of is a channel cat or what I think it was, is a Jewfish.

I was half tempted to have my buddy hold my pole and jump in and swim down my line while I was still fighting and find out what it was (bringing a knife with me)

now I am guessing what I did wrong was that I tightened my drag to much and/or my line wasn't strong enough.

Are there any tips you guys/gals have for bringing something like that in, I heard some people just let the fish sit for 15-30min so it relaxes again and then reel it in. I am not sure if I should just put like 50lbs. test on my reel instead even though the recommended max is 30lbs.

It just pains me deeply that the line snapped. Any and all tips will be thankful even if it is bad or good, constructive criticism is welcome.

Thank you,

               Bry

[brgbassmaster]

i think you should go fish for that thing again.

[wisturkeyhunter]

Certainly diving in with a knife in your teeth would have worked better.  ;D

If it was a fish and not a snag I'd try and hook it again and take your time getting it in.

[Bassn Blvd]

Saltwater fish that are common to living around bridges in Florida.

1. Snook

2. Tarpon

3. Jewfish

4. Occasional shark, depending how far from the inlet you are.

5. Catfish.

6. Moray eel

Could of been a Tarpon but I doubt it because it didn't jump.

I would almost bet a Snook but chances are it would have sliced though your line with it's gills after fighting it an hour and half. Snook LOVE lady fish.

Eel? Very possible. especially if it just sat there like you were snagged.  

Try this.  

Find a heavier rod and reel.  

Use straight 60 pound mono.

Tie on a  6/0 short shank live bait hook.

Catch a Ladyfish from 12-18 inches.

Hook live Ladyfish onto 6/0 hook.

Cast her next to shadow of bridge or pylon and wait for the strike.

[SirSnookalot]

Given the description I would think you hooked some type of grouper,or most likely a shark or possibly snagged a manatee (doubt it as they are more surface orientated).

I think the equipment is more than adequate however if I were specifically fishing for that giant I would be using 50-60-Lb braid, 100# leader.

Tad less drag, pull rod up then, reel the slack in when dropping the rod down.  Get a fighting belt.

[brysky]

thank you for the advice, i wanted to go back yesterday but it was stormy so we didn't want to take the boat out. someone else i was talking to mentioned maybe a bull shark...

At least i know my knew fishing spot for early night time, guess i will set up a bigger rod and have it ready, and use a smaller one to catch a lady fish to use for bait as posted above... this should be fun, if i do end up catching my monster i will post pics.

oh yeah, the snook in my avatar was caught at that bridge but put up a much less fight.

[fishinfiend]

If it was a jewfish the most important thing to do is apply a lot of pressure to it at the beginning so that you can get it off the bottom. Otherwise, it will get in the rocks and break you off. When fighting a big fish it is very important to remember to give what he takes and take what he gives. If you try to horse a big fish you will more than likely lose. Remember, you are not in a race, so enjoy the fight and catch him.

[brysky]

I am thinking about getting a Avet Quad T-RX 50w or 30w and a bigger rod and sell off my small 20lbs setup and go for gold, thanks for all the advice so far.

if i were to get the avet, any ideas on a rod to match that?

[NYfishwow]

thinking about getting a Avet Quad T-RX 50w or 30w and a bigger rod and sell off my small 20lbs setup and go for gold, thanks for all the advice so far.

if i were to get the avet, any ideas on a rod to match that? My answer is Avet Quad T-RX 50ws are better rods. Great job Brysky

[SirSnookalot]

I own an avet mxj and they make great products.  That being said the Avet Quad T-RX 50w is heavy duty 2 speed reel that costs between $800 and $1000.  It weighs 74 oz and holds 570yds of 50lb test.  This is a deep water reel to be used in a fighting chair, not a jon boat.

They have other reels in their lineup that would be better suited.

http://www.avetreels.com/about.html

try bloodydeck forum.........lots of avet info there.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/

[brysky]

Thanks a lot,

I was looking at the 30W

[brysky]

Tie on a 6/0 short shank live bait hook.

Catch a Ladyfish from 12-18 inches.

Hook live Ladyfish onto 6/0 hook.

Cast her next to shadow of bridge or pylon and wait for the strike.

hook through the eye socket out the back?

[SirSnookalot]

Seems like a 6/0 be too small to hook thru the back.  If you're going to hook it in the back try a larger shark hook, or just lip hook it.

[Bassn Blvd]

Tie on a 6/0 short shank live bait hook.

Catch a Ladyfish from 12-18 inches.

Hook live Ladyfish onto 6/0 hook.

Cast her next to shadow of bridge or pylon and wait for the strike.

hook through the eye socket out the back?

I lip hook them.  You can hook them in other spots,depending if you want them to swim down or stay on top.  You may go to a 8/ o if they are thick across the back.