Preparing to fish the 16/0

[Tightlines667]

Good going on the turtle!

Looks to be an adult female Hawksbill.  These guys best in the area.  She should have already laid her clutch for the year.  Post-release survivability is good when externally hooked, and all gear was removed.  Glad the interaction was reported, hopefully to NMFS turtle stranding network? Or FWC?  There are forms, and a database for tracking recreational fishing gear interactions.

John

[swill88]

Cool on the turtle release!

Does the turtle try to bite?

steve

[The Great Maudu]

Don't worry these guys know exactly what the proper procedures are and what to do in these situations. They do this about 300 nights a year and have encountered just about everything except hooking a whale. When you fish with these people you understand what Ohana means.

[The Great Maudu]

Yes but not very aggressively.

[The Great Maudu]

Tonight's line up. 3 50 wides, 4 80 wides and 1 16/0 Senator.

[Tightlines667]

Looks like you guys mean business.  I hope you hook into something that gives thst reel a workout.  Best of luck!

[thorhammer]

Oh damn Mike.  Daron won't sleep when he sees this.

[Shark Hunter]

I can't sleep anyway. I'm on 7 to 7 night shifts.
Go get'em Mike!

[oc1]

The gimbal stands are pretty cool but where are the tie-down ropes?
-steve

[The Great Maudu]

Steve, if you look close you'll see the leashes laying around. Also, you will notice the bait fish laying by the rods. This was taken just before bait deployment started. It's almost 11:00 pm and nothing yet.

[oc1]

So, they take all the baits out at once?  That really is a community sort of thing.
-steve

[Alto Mare]

Shaping up to be a great report, thanks for taking us along Mike.

Sal

[The Great Maudu]

The baits are lowered two at a time into the kayak waiting 30' below. They are paddled out, in the dark, and deployed in a fan shaped configuration. The kayaker is in radio communication at all times with the people on the pier. He paddles out anywhere from 400 to 1000 yards and is instructed to " kick out" the bait on the right side or left side of the yak. Once both baits are out he heads back in and positions the boat to receive the next two baits. Last night right after I left one of the two remaining fisherman (jeff and Jim) hooked up. Jeff said he could tell it was a monster by how easy it was able to drag him up against the rail. The fish freed itself by straightening out the 16/0 stainless steel hook. These guys are catching some big fish. 6 weeks ago they beached a 14' Tiger shark. Three nights ago as they were pulling in an 8 footer another shark bit it in half. They have developed a system for catching and handling these fish in a safe, controlled manner. Tonight I saw no action. Jeff and Jim were still at it when I left. I'll let you know what happens. BTW ... when Jeff found out I was renting my pier cart he immediately lent me a brand new one to keep while I'm here.

[Cor]

Wow this makes my fishing look like I catch tiddly winks!!
Go get them Mike, waiting to see the pictures!

[Shark Hunter]

Mike,
You guys are probably going to start seeing the effects of the storm moving in soon.
I hope you get to hook up to at least one nice one.
My chance is coming soon.
Best of luck to you and the crew.
Be safe,
Daron