You never forget your first.
 

I'm so stoked for you James, you never gave up. The one guy I saw everyday pounding the grounds for the elusive/not so elusive T-Shark. With your short after schoool window and moonlight landings you definetely earned it. I'm sure you will only appreciate that fish more after all the hard work, not to mention a respectable sized fish (the truck shot is a better reference as it looks small in your arms:eek: ). Now that the first T-Shark is out of the way, just fish for Yellowtail and enjoy the annoying daily knock-down of the larger weighted bait (oops there goes another flouro leader and $1 hook with my best bait:doh: ).

I noticed you were still trolling the big Rapala after the catch and I would like to offer a bit of advice. Diversify your portfolio, by pulling a surface greenback (for Yellowtail) and a larger weighted bait mid-column (lose the plug). On the weighted bait add a wire leader with a larger circle-hook. The wire leader will prevent a double hook-up on Yellowtail and save those precious summertime baits. A mouth hooked T-Shark is a much more impressive fight (flying-fish:eek: ), that is not only safer for the angler, but infinitely better on the fish.

great story! thanks for taking the time to share your experience with all of us here.

:cheers1:

that was a good read!

"Let patience have her perfect work"
 

Great job sugar, it was oh so tasty, too!! :D