After landing the 94" sevengill on Bat Fight day, I wanted to strike while the iron was hot. With my wife and kids out of town for a couple nights I had the opportunity. I'd planned to hit the sand right after work on Tuesday and Wednesday. On my way to work on Tuesday morning I realized I'd left all my gear and bait in the garage >:( Oh well, headed home after work, did some chores, ate dinner, and headed out for a quick session before the parking area closed. Fished from 8:30-10:30 and had two legit knock downs. One that was dropped the bait right away, and one that I hooked up for about 30 seconds before the hook pulled. I saw it thrashing on the surface, so I know it was a sevengill. It was about time for the Sheriff to roll up so I packed it in and headed home.
Yesterday I made sure my gear and bait were loaded up before leaving and was ready right after I got off work. Got to my spot and conditions looked great. Set up two rods, bait in the water by 5:00.
(https://s20.postimg.org/wect4reml/IMG_20180404_183452641.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s20.postimg.org/yvokc1lod/IMG_20180404_183514621_HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/rsgowfg8p/)
**Have I mentioned that I love this 9500SS!?**
As I'm watching my rods, I see a guy unloading a SUP, cooler, and fishing gear from his car. I'm thinking, "Maybe I can get this guy to paddle a bait out for me?" Just as I'm about to walk over and ask him, I see my heavy rod take a bow and then go slack. That's the right kind! I grab the rod, tighten the drag and apply some pressure to get the circle hook set and it's Fish On! As soon as it feels the hook it starts jumping and thrashing on the surface. After one decent run I got him turned north, then back toward me and I was able to stay close to my rod holder. I happened to time a large wave perfectly that brought him further up the beach so I put the rod back in the sand spike and went for the grab. This male was thick and strong, lots of flopping and rolling, but I was able to drag it up the beach a bit and scrambled to get pics, a measurement, and unhook him as quick as possible. Taped him out at a hair over 85".
I got him back in the water pretty quick and he swam off strong, leaving me with a nice slap of his tail.
(https://s20.postimg.org/jmymyh2cd/IMG_20180404_174652487_2.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hie9xe0pl/)
(https://s20.postimg.org/h5mvr0v8t/IMG_20180404_174749258.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I rebait and cast my heavy rod, check the bait on my lighter rod, and sit down to bask in the satisfaction of my first solo grinner. I texted a few guys that I know would be jealous and should have joined me ;D. About 20 minutes later my heavy rod goes slack again. I grab it, reel in the slack, feel a few tugs, then nothing. Dang, dropped it. I leave it there to let is sit another 5 minutes before checking it when I noticed my lighter rod bouncing. I can see a tail slapping the surface before I even get the hook set! I get the line tight and the hook set and this one charges straight at me. I'm reeling as fast as I can just to keep up when it hits the skinny water and turns north. This setup only has 25 lb. mono main line, so I let him run a bit and follow him up the beach. I tried to keep my rod in one hand and tail it with the other, but he was not cooperating so I laid the rod down to drag him up on the sand. This male would not hold still for anything. He was lighter than the first one, but a bit longer at 89.5". After I finally get it measured and unhooked, I drag it back in the water still twisting and rolling. This one kept trying to swim back on shore. I had to grab it and turn it around a few times and pull it into deeper water to finally get to take off strong.
(https://s20.postimg.org/vc2mm8b8t/IMG_20180404_181647759.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s20.postimg.org/m4ae5jjm5/IMG_20180404_181626937.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I stayed another hour and had one more missed take on each rod before calling it a night and heading home.
Pretty stoked to finally get my first solo sevengill and two at that.
awesome !!
I was exited just for reading I can only imagine what it could be to land one of those big boys, tell us a bit more on your gear, what line test were you using, leader, bait, etc.
the fight on a 25lb mono sounds like it was a blast
Nice, more on the gear please.
Very cool Chad! Wow, two sharks after work...amazing.
I'm glad you're having a blast!
Sal
Great fishin' Chad! 8)
Nice going.
Just one is something but two? Wow!
Great play by play Chad. Indeed, it got me excited.
The Seven Gill looks like a cool Shark!
That is still a very Impressive Catch my man.
Especially after work.
Congrats Again!
Congrats indeed Chad - mighty fine catch :)
Wowzers! What a great solo trip, looks like you had your fun.
Yes please, tell us about your gear/tackle and what kind of rig/bait you used.
And, where you were too.