Cal,
Well, as you know, a really good fisherman can bring in a fish five or ten times the poundage his line will hold. Of course, if you can’t chase the fish in a boat then the fish has to help you by not running in a straight line for a couple hundred yards and running you out of line. I once caught a thirty pound Flathead catfish on six pound test line with a broken drag, but only because the fish kept turning around and didn’t waste my entire spool.
The Tarpon I fought for twenty minutes last Wednesday ran about 150 yards and I chased him into the water until I was neck deep. I was just trying to keep as much line on the spool as I could. I had my drag as tight as I could and could here the line singing it was being stretched so hard. I was fishing with fifteen pound test line and I managed to stop him and get him turned around just before my hook straightened out and he got away. I firmly believe I would have landed him had I been using a stronger hook.
I certainly love the challenge of catching big fish on light tackle. No better test for a fisherman. I have already rented the same beach-house for next September. I want to try again and will be a little better prepared.
PF
You sound like you know exactly what I’m talking about as I look at this shark and try to imagine bringing it in on shore. It is hard enough to bring in blues from the surf. As you have experienced, catfish (who behave very much like shark).
No, I wouldn’t even try it.
Now I’m wishing I made fish for dinner. Oh well, back to the kitchen.
ciao!