Kick Ass!! First Thresher, Solo on 5/28

[frugalfisher]

I was thinking about just going home and taking a nap because I fell asleep on the trolley ride home from SDSU and because I didn't feel up to exercising while not catching fish. I had trolled from Thursday to Thursday the week before for a Thresher with no luck except for my buddy, who doesn't even own a fishing rod caught a 50lber on that Sunday, on my spare X-Factor with my gear. I had read on BWE that someone had caught a 100lber at 5am the day before and was hopeful there was another for me. So anyway, last Wednesday at 5:45pm I launched into breakers and a pretty good wind. I didn't see another person on the water the rest of the evening.
I paddled straight out to the buoy line and dropped in my green mac mag-30 Rapala with 125 lb crimped mono leader and 65lb spectra on my Avet 2 speed with custom Calstar. Yes, I was seriously wanting to hook a big shark. I dropped my Sabiki rig in a few times and couldn't get the bait I was seeing on the FF, so I trolled it along with the Rapala hoping for bait or a T. I was zigzagging along the southern edge of the canyon headed out in 90-150 ft of water not knowing if I wanted to go north or go straight out. I cleared the grass off my Rapala a few times and was turning my head to see if there was action on the tip when I saw the hit! I was very excited but quickly disappointed when I started reeling cause all I had was slack then a little resistance and more slack just enough that I thought whatever it was, was gone, until the line came tight and went straight down ~50ft (I was reeling like hell the whole time), then I was sure there was something big on the other end and it started running and taking line! I was being pulled out and just had enough drag not to lose to much line but could make any either against the pull so I thumbed the spool, took it out of gear and gave the drag a couple of clicks and then pushed the lever all the back into full. I was then able to get close and I was waiting for a jump or perhaps a Mako to appear. I finally go to see the 4 ft leader end and a Thresher tail and was thrilled. I've wanted to catch one for 5 years from when I was visiting San Diego for summer classes at UCSD and had talked to Chris while he was launching and had searched online about the sport.
The shark went down about 20 feet a couple times, I saw it was hooked solid and I wanted it to be tired. On the third time the tail was up, I made a solid grab with both hands and was ready to lean the other other way for a good wrestle but the Thresher had other ideas and went off, pulling me and the kayak OVER, maybe I should of let go but I didn't, the combination of strength, quickness, waves, and a good grip under the Rapala (which still had 5 barbs free) were factors, but then I was swimming (no preserver) and scared. I had remembered to get my knife ready for the gills, loosen the drag and have a tail rope ready before the attempted landing so after the recovery that knife was gone, the shark had run a long way, but the rod was leashed and my sunglasses were still on. So I reeled it back again, while getting the spare knife from the tackle bag, a pair of needle nose and my dikes ready. I again saw the hook was secure so I slapped the tail and let it fight down a few times. I wanted it to be worn out for the next attempt. I wasn't confident anymore that I could do this but I was determined, so I grabbed again, was able to tail rope, remove the hook and start pulling it up and out when it went berserk flipping us over again! I had been biting the wooden handle of the 4" Rapala fillet knife the whole time of the flip and recovery and didn't lose my glasses this time either. The 10 ft rope held, tied off in the front hatch, which made flipping the yak over a little more difficult. I got situated again and this time decided to just haul the shark into the yak lengthwise putting it's head down by my feet without cutting the gills and was successful. I grabbed the knife out of my mouth and stabbed while cutting the left side gills and the blade broke off but I had given the death blow!
I weigh 275lb, the shark was a solid 90-100lbs, and I had 4 poles, tackle bag, dry bag, battery, bait-tube, etc.. so I was maxed out on the 425lb buoyancy of the Prowler 15. I was getting pushed around by the waves, taking on water, rubbing my arm and leg on the sharkskin, and trying to get back in cause it was sunset and I had dinner in the boat.
God, thank you, patience, perseverance and determination paid off.

[bajadog]

Right on James !!!!!



You filleted it out, rather than steaking it.

[gary sullivan]

James, killer story. I had a recent encounter similar to yours but let the tail go before he pulled me over. I admire your guts and determination to bring him aboard without help.

[FISHIONADO]

I am so stoked for you. I remember the first time I met you a couple of years ago you got tossed trying to launch in big waves, but to your credit you gathered all your stuff and kept at it until you made it out. Congrats on achieving your goal!

[Handymansd]

James,

Congrats and a great write up! They are very powerful fish and a lot can go very wrong very fast, I am glad nothing went wrong ...well, or at least you were not injured. I know you have wanted one for a long time and I am glad that you finally got yours! I hear Squidco has a great deal on fillet knives right now.

[Sherm]

Simply impressive. Glad all ended well. A hardy congrats to you.

[ratdog]

Great report, congrats. Your report gives me hope.

[tylerdurden]

Congrats James. I know you've been looking for one of those for a while. Hell of a story. Also a good reminder about how quick things can go wrong.

Never grab the tail below the rapala. That way if you have to you can let go without worrying about getting snagged.

[madscientist]

Congrats! Hell of a story.

[Pinoyfisher]

You are THE MAN!!!!

[Dan]

Tenacious T -- way to hang on!

[ski]

Awesome!

[THE DARKHORSE]

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 ). 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 ).

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 ), that is not only safer for the angler, but infinitely better on the fish.

[cabojohn]

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

[metalbob]

that was a good read!

[KTDubYuh77]

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