NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports => Topic started by: brickken on June 23, 2008, 07:07:53 PM
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We headed out on Saturday out of Pt. Pleasant for the Mako Mania tournament. I was determined to kill the skunk that has been aboard for the last few trips we made for striper's. Arrived at the fishing grounds (about 35 miles offshore)around 7:15 with 4 lines in and the chum slick started by 7:30. By 8AM we had our first strike on one of the lines. Thinking it was a man in a blue suit we handed it off to my cousins son to bring her in.
About 5 minutes later she jumped about 6 feet clear out of the water and the war cry went off...MAKO BABY! He kept on reeling and about 20 minutes later we had her to the boat. Grab a tail rope and strung her out next to the boat to take a measure. Only about 55 inches so off with the rope out with the hook and off she went.
When we turned the boat back to head back to our slick we saw another boat had set up in it. Wasn't very happy but didn't make a big deal about it and we moved off a bit to start fresh. Nothing was happening for the next hour or so but we knew we had to be patient. Last Sunday my boy and I ran out (Fathers Day) for a quick striper run for a few hours. The only thing we caught was a 33 inch blue fish. He actually had the presence of mind to tell me, Dad don't release it we can freeze it and use it for fillets for next weeks tournament...It had almost gone back...
Filleted that baby up and onto the hook it went with a nice squid which hadn't seen any action all morning. Of course, you guessed it, within 20 minutes we had another strike on this tasty set up.
Grabbed the line and gave it to my dad; he's 78 can't swim and was a bit nervous... couldn't handle it so gave it to my son... he had a tough time as well so I took it. Got it to the boat in about 15 minutes; nice and green and none too happy. Sized it up and knew it was a keeper. Grabbed a gaff and a tailer and after about 10 more minutes we had her on board.
At this point we threw a tape measure on her. She was 65 inches nose to fork and the tournament required 66 inches. A long conversation ensued as to whether or not the fish was mortally wounded and couldn't be put back… we had gaffed it near the tail section to get it on board. Half of us wanted to stay, half felt we had a nice fish and decent meat and therefore should head in.
We kept the fish and went home. Back at the dock by 11:30 and had it weighed in at 116 lbs which surprised us as we thought it was about 150. (Must be weaker than we thought)... what would you have done? Just curious as to whether you guys think once a shark is gaffed it is a mortal wound or not? Great time was had by all and a great multi-generation family fishing trip with my dad, my son, my cousin, his son and my "cousin in law"....
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Nice report. t^ Im no where near an expert but that wound didnt look too bad. i think it would of survived.
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To be fair here is a closer look at the wound...
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Nice job and great pics.
As far as the wound I don't know, but with a gaff being used, I would keep the fish. Just my $0.02
Thanks for the report
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great pictures
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Nice Job ! the Family and fish.
As far as the fish question: If its legal and you eat the steaks: Keep it.
If you decided to release :some make it after fights.
The entire family has a great memory.Way to Go.
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You break, you buy.
made the right call on keeping it.
I would have stayed out and tried to catch more fish tho, releasing the rest.
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Nice Report!.. t^ I think you made the right call
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Nice report, catch and pics.
As far as keeping the fish. After the gaff, probably better to keep than release. Don't know what kind of internal damage was done and good source for infection to set in. You definately made the right choice, my opinion anyway. t^
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Nice report!
I agree with the others, there is some good eats there TT^
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t^ should taste great on the grill.
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Good Day and Nice job. If it's a keeper...keep it! It may have survived the gaffing, but there is always a bigger fish that may have followed his blood trail and then he woulda been eatin your steaks! Besides had you not kept it, and then came up dry, you woulda been kickin yourself for the throwback. At least those steaks will help offset what you guys paid for fuel to get out that far!
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Great Report and Catch, nice pics t^
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nice report and mako!!! t^
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Nice mako and great pictures.
NJDEVIL >:D
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I think you made the right choice for all the right reasons
The decision to use the gaff should mean you intend to keep it.
Some nice pix too, thanks
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Thanks for the replies, it was what I thought and felt (about keeping the fish). Cooked up great on the BBQ... blackened it with Montreal Seasoning in a iron skillet on a red hot grill..topped it with a splash of Pint Noir wine about 1 minute before removing from grill... many people enjoyed it! Thanks again for the input chrz