SD Bay, what wish have super sharp teeth, was swawed off today

[Irishman]

Launched at 11, wind got ridiculous so I kept it from shelter island beach to out to where they pen the dolphins and seals, basically zigzagged with the wind, drag nicely portioned pieces of squid for about 250 yards and then paddled back south to the jetty and repeat, did this for about 4 hours and two sculpin type fish which I threw back. I was working the classic halibut rig, two swivels, 25lb fluoro. On what was my last drift from about 100 yards off the fishing pier I had a very nice hook set. Clicker rang zzzzz,zzzz,zzzz and I turned around and counted to 5, still a high speed zzzzzz. I set the hook, very brief engagement which felt very solid and then ping....sawed off. Want came up has me puzzled as I was just left with the top swivel and about 14 inches of line. I have attached a diagram. Are the mud marlin in sad bay capable of inhaling leader of 18 plus inches , basically inhaling and biting off above where the sliding swivel would be? It was such a nice sound to hear after the wind kicked my ass all day

[Irishman]

Excuse the typos...iPad typing..

[Smthtnnr]

Most likely a big leopard shark

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by Smthtnnr

Most likely a big leopard shark

How do you know the line didn't break above the swivel? And what was the lb rating of your leader?

[addicted2sp33d]

San Diego Bay is a big body of water with plenty of big predators... it could be a whole bunch of things.

I've even had the same thing happen to me inside Mission Bay, at the bend in the inlet. Something took my free-lined 12" Mackerel, pulled drag like it was nothing and then the snapped (chewed through) 50lb braid. I know it wasn't dolphins, sea dogs, or ray because I did get to fight it for about 3-4 minutes before it broke off. It was definitely some kind of fin-swimmer.

That said, I think Leopard Shark sounds good.

[Siebler]

While I too am quick to jump to the fact it could have been issues with Line or knot or swivel fraying line or something... Fish that could easily break a leader with Teeth in SD Bay would top my list as Halibut and Angel Sharks.

[YakDout]

Have you ever tried 3 way swivels?

[makobob]

Originally Posted by Siebler

While I too am quick to jump to the fact it could have been issues with Line or knot or swivel fraying line or something... Fish that could easily break a leader with Teeth in SD Bay would top my list as Halibut and Angel Sharks.

This time of year, my vote goes to ANGEL SHARK.

[chris138]

Sharks and rays have rough skin and can abrade the line and cut it with their skin or fins. Usually floro can withstand it though. Always check your leader after every fish! It may have been nicked from an earlier engagement. Maybe time to bump up to 30 lb or maybe try a dropper loop. Still, I'd stick to a 30# halibut as the likely perpetrator

[Irishman]

Thanks for the responses. The leader was 25lb test and what has me puzzled was the line was bitten through below the top swivel. It came back with about 14 inches of line below the top swivel, very clean cut in the line, no abrasion. Looking at it I was puzzled as to how it was bitten through. The middle swivel allowed the leader attached to the hook to slide up to the top swivel and down to the bottom swivel where the 4oz lead was attached. From what I was left with it looks like whatever took it inhaled the hook and then sucked in the lead, then bit through, leaving me with top swivel and 14 inches of line below.
Will never know but the sound of zzzzzzz I will remember.

[lowprofile]

7 gill, thresher, BSB, big halibut...

[taggermike]

The spot where the line broke or was bitten threw is a long way from the hook. Most fish are not going to inhale that much gear. Sharks often twist or roll in to the line. The line rubs on the skin and can break it. Some times the rolling will pass the line through their mouths again. Double chance for a bite off. Was a nice clean cut like scissors or was all chafed like it was sand papered? There are bunch of sharks in sad bay. Leopards, angels, even threshers come in to the bay some times. Some times spiny dog fish will be in the bay. They have a reputation as super trash ghetto sharks but they have a big mouth and small but super sharp teeth. They are also line rollers with very rough skin. That's what comes to my mind any way. Mike

[janines.fishtales@cox.net]

I was out with my uncle in his boat last Monday. I had my rod in a holder with a carolina rigged mackeral. Big Mac too because that was all they had at the bait barge. So the clicker goes off big time, and I grab, engage the reel, and set. Bendo big time! Pulled hard and had some shoulders to it. Had me moving pretty good around the boat. It would allow me to reel, then take drag, reel, take drag, almost spooled! Unfortunately, whatever it was also used the hull of the boat. Never saw it. Fought it for 7 to 10 minutes. Line was sandpapered (from the hull?) and sawed. It was 30# floro. I think it was a real big 'but. I was bummed but you gotta lose some sometimes I guess! Better to have loved and lost...

Janine

never give up!