Nope, just a bunch of Women doing their exercises with a private fitness coach.
So trying not to stare too much I worked my way over to the fence to see how the conditions were.
Just beautiful, small shore breakers and fairly smooth water. I think I saw Bogey (Mark) just leaving the beach in his outback with the sail rigged up. Probably out to catch that Shark that took his trophy Tuna.
Went back to the Car, still trying not to stare too much at those twisting bodies. I am single you know.
Launched about 6.30am and paddled out a bit and set up the gear. Started trolling 2 lures at 6.43am.
While paddling out noticed some small dark backs appearing out of the water, looked like Tuna, probably small ones I thought to myself.
Also noticed a flock of diving birds out a lot further, too far for me at the moment. Decided to head down to Brays Rock to see if I could pick up a nice Snapper and then maybe head out wide.
Well just before 7am, my Penn Spinfisher reel start-losing line fast. Picking up the rod I gave it a pull, to make sure the hooks were set. Whatever it is, was putting pressure on the rod.
I have to say here that I heard a lot of blokes say that they have fish strike but not hook up. I have lost 2 good fish at Brays from pulled hooks, but since making sure I sharpen the trebles on the lures I haven’t miss one since and also my drags are set at the level I want from the beginning so the Fish also help hook themselves. My drags are set at 7lbs on the 20lb lines. Just food for thought.
Well after making sure the hooks were set, I placed the rod back in it’s holder so I could wind in the other rod in and turn on the GoPro.
I started winding the line in easy and thought the Fish wasn’t as big as I thought, but the truth was that the kayak was also was moving towards the fish and when I got close it started pulling hard. First it stayed out a little bit then it went under the kayak and just stayed there. It had me guessing what it was.
This is where basically holding onto the rod for 25 minutes comes into it.
After what seemed ages it started to circle and I also could see a shape and was pretty sure it was a Tuna. Well it circled and circled and circled. I was totally getting sick of it. It was hitting my Sharksheild antenna and I was worried about it fraying the line and thought about turning it off and hauling it in but after reading Bogey’s report I thought I play safe and leave it out there. Towards the end it even snagged the rudder as it came higher and I thought that was it but luck was on my side and after sticking the rod tip in the water it came loose after the Tuna did another circle underneath.
Not long after that it came to the surface and splashing the water with its tail and I was glad the Sharkshield was still in the water.
After one unsuccessful go at it with the gaff, the second shot got it and a beautiful Longtail Tuna came on board.
I was elated after 15 minutes trolling I had a tuna hook-up and ½ hour later it was in the kayak. I have to admit I was also a little disappointed that on such a beautiful day I had to head in so early. I didn’t want to spoil it’s flesh after bleeding it. I put a hand towel under its head and cut it’s gill. Luckily the towel soaked up most of the blood and there was little mess in the hull.
Almost forgot, it was 102cm.
Video now added.
Cheers
Paul
