I do salt water game fishing. I’ve no idea how he did this. You have to run the boat with a fish that size to tire it out. Or bring it in on a pully. I’ve no idea what this guy did to beach it. Unless, like someone said, he tied it to a pick up. But what did he use for line?
::shrugs::
Big heavy reel, heavy test line, very heavy leader (probably steel cable), fighting belt and article seems to indicate 3 guys taking turns on the reel. Most important sharks can’t stand up to a long fight (body chemistry) which is why it was dead or nearly so when brought in.
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