Every day is different. AJs finally decided to bite on this trip and I hauled in 3 on my new GTS70H Hercules that I extended. Laid the fore grip on the rail and let them pound on it till they got tired. Then mango Elli hooks something that almost took her over. I had to relieve her of the rod and after quite a hard fight I pulled up an 8 foot shark and this was all done with a Newell 332 and 40 lb Momoi Diamond. The drag screamed a lot and the handle nut got quite hot but the Newell won the battle. Captain Al Coley boated and really nice King Mac on a Viking jig. Three cobias were caught and one barely knocked me out of the JP on the balance beam.
You shark guys can tell the species of shark since I don't know. I did see a tag that looked like it had been hanging on him for a long time and covered in green slime.
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/IMG_5974_zps2t22lr5y.png) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/IMG_5974_zps2t22lr5y.png.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/IMG_5958_zpsmivhaknx.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/IMG_5958_zpsmivhaknx.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/IMG_5986_zpsy0udpycq.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/IMG_5986_zpsy0udpycq.jpg.html)
Good times!
I tought the limit on AJs was one per person
I kept the smallest and gave the two big ones to lucky fisherman that had nothing.
Turned Captain Al right-side up, he has many more years left before he lays on his side ;D
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/IMG_5958_zpsmivhaknx%20capt%20Al.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/IMG_5958_zpsmivhaknx%20capt%20Al.jpg.html)
I got to get on that boat soon :-\....
very nice gentlemen!
Best I can tell Dwight. Its a Spinner. They have those pointy snouts and big fins. Pretty common in your area.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deepseafishingdaytona/sets/72157655062476281
Hope this link works so you see more of the trip today.
Great shots Dwight! Keep living that Dream. Its like vacation every week! ;D
Dwight,
The shark looks to me to be a Sandbar Shark, based on having a tall, triangular dorsal fin, set w/insertion forward of rear pectoral fin insertion and head length apox. equal to 2 dorsal fin widths, also large triangular pectoral fins, with no dusky black marking posteriorly. They are quite common and the pop is still robust.
It would be interesting to see how the internals of this reel look after this battle (i.e. how did the reel hold up when pushed hard).
As always, thanks for sharing!
The reel fished perfectly and will inspect tomorrow out of curiosity and report back.
I think your right John. I've never caught a sandbar. That slot behind the dorsal is a give away.
I think you're right that it's a sandbar shark (aka brown shark). At first I was thinking the snout looked too pointy, but after looking at a few photos, I correct myself. Speaking of shark species, how do you identify between a blacktip reef shark and blacktip shark? I tried google images, but that just gets me more confused. For the longest time I thought they were the same species.
Black-tip Reef sharks are actually very different critrers then black-tip sharks. Black-tip reef sharks (BTR) are built to forage in very shallow water, while the black-tip shark forages along steeper drop offs, and structure in somewhat deeper water. As such the overall body plan
of a BTR is more cylyndrical and elongated, the nose/snout is very short, the dorsal is set far back (well behind pectoral fin rear margins, when the animal swims it appears mire serpantine-like, or flexable, and weaker. Also when on the surface the dirsal fin usually sticks out if the water 'crisply', and often w/o the tip of the tail out simultaneously. The black tip on the dorsal really stands out since colr right next to it is often paler (may even be white) then the general overall color of the animal. The actual key ID difference is the wider, clearly visable drak margin on the trailing edge of the caudal fin (tail), a dark tip on the anal fin, a markedly pointed tip to the dorsal fin, and a snout shorter then the jaw width. Also, distinct nares (shape of nostril), and teeth. If you happen to find yourself in the South Pacific, you may confuse this species with the 'Silver-tip Shark' which has white/silver margins surrounding the black tips.
After you see both species, you will likely find they are not too difficult to distinguish (as long as you get a good look at them).
For more info, I recommend checking out the few GOM and Atlantic Shark species (not my specialty) guides on this thread...
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=14446.0
Ok...now forget all that technical stuff and just remember...
a small shark with a pointy black tip is a Black-tipped reef Shark.
Hope that helps?
BTW.. most species of sharks are 'Brown Sharks' that may appear grey when looking through the water.
Dwight the link worked fine. good group of pictures. Dominick
Yes, it was! Keep those links coming Dwight! I wish I could be you for a few weeks! ;D
Dwight, he does have teeth, I wasn't sure ;D
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/19154733885_d62d43e898_z.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/19154733885_d62d43e898_z.jpg.html)
That was a rare moment to see Mike smile. Al is the guy that caught the AJ and he spent 10 years on the Bass Tour before retiring and his first day on the Pastime and looking forward to coming back.
I checked the condition of Elli's reel which is a S332 in new condition that I had installed a set 3.6 Black Pearl gears, 5 stack drag with delrin top and bottom and Bryan's Belleville. It also has a Tib frame. What I found is that it looked like the day that I installed everything and thin CFs were perfect. Put a drop of TSI321 on the bearings and buttoned it back up. No point doing this check again for a very long time. I did upgrade her to a New P handle that I just received for a little more ruggedness. The P handles have a SS shaft where the molded handles have an aluminum shaft.
All of guys are welcome to come down any time and have some fun. Daron's idea of a few weeks is best because every day is something different and we all know how nature operates but if you know how to fish the odds are in your favor.
Nice!...don't wait too long to open her back up again, we already know what happens to ss parts if not lubed properly.
I have a set of the same gears, those should last a very long time.
Nice catches dwight! You ate testing the drag upgrades made here very nicely. I'm heading out on a trip this week that should prove pretty plentiful. I need to start living the dream as you do!
Just work hard, stay healthy and save for the dream time. You will be living the dream one day.
Dwight,
What is the eating quality of those AJ's and how are you cooking them?
Tim
Quote from: Newell Nut on June 26, 2015, 09:43:54 PM
Just work hard, stay healthy and save for the dream time. You will be living the dream one day.
Staying healthy is the issue im having lately haha. Your retirement is well earned and spent Dwight! Great fishing!
Tightlines, thanks for the info. I always caught sandbar sharks by accident when targeting other fish, and I don't mind it at all as I enjoy the fight. In fact, I'm planning on targeting sharks this summer, but want to try and catch other species.
Quote from: Newell Nut on June 26, 2015, 09:43:54 PM
Just work hard, stay healthy and save for the dream time. You will be living the dream one day.
first two no problem, lol.
Dwight,
You make sure and tell Mike the jig is up! He can stop playing Mr. tough guy now. You got him! ;D
Mac53 I will reply for Dwight about the AJ. very good grilled, fried, and smoked. its my wife's favorite.