Hunter 2- Oct 25,09 The one that got away.

[Hunter 2]

Well, what can I say? You all know this story
. We left keyport around 9am and head up the Raritan towards the train bridge and drifted eels. We had no action so we tried a few spots in the area.    Nothing again.
So I made a move to the outer bridge  area around some old piers. On the first drift I had a nice tug on the pole. It didn't feel too big at the time. Chris also had a hit on his rod so his attention was on that. As I was reeling mine in the tension went slack. I thought it might of came off but then it started fighting again. As it came boatside I backed up and Steve had the net ready. After we all saw the Striper we said simultaneously HOLY SH!T ..  It was huge around 40lbs or more. As Steve went to net the striper it turned and head down under the boat. It was pulling line off the reel and we all were getting alittle nervous. I managed to get it up again and Steve had the net and Chris the grabbed gaff.   As the Huge Striper was near the surface I backed up again and tightened the drag to prevent him from running again. The guys made another attempt to net it but it turned around again to head for the bottom and broke the 30lb fluorocarbon leader just above the hook.  .  I made the mistake of tightening the drag too much and lost the fish.  I also learned a big lesson. If I had a bigger gaff with a 6' handle I would of landed that fish. But we all agreed we would have released such a nice fish too. So gaffing  might not have been an option. Maybe a larger net with a longer handle or a 50lb leader would of helped??    Anyway......  I did switch to a bigger leader and lowered the drag setting. All the guys on board had a good time and we will talk about this day for some time. We fished all over from the the  raritan to sandy hook with no more bites  We made it back to watch football. So the big one got away but we all became better fisherman because of it.  Good luck!   Eddie

[SurfJockey]

Sorry to hear about the loss!    At least ya got a good story out of it!   

[kezsr]

Eddie,tough loss on the fish,feel for you.always tough losing a nice one,the Jets won today,hopefully that should cheer you up.want to try again in the River after dark with eels,hopefully I can get out this week.     Kez

[pilot2550]

Great tale Eddie   Too bad the beast got unbuttoned .  Next time.

[Bucktail]

Tough luck Eddie.  Those fish will make you play that scene over and over on your head.  Shouldn't have tightened the drag...  Should have used heavier leader...  Should have worn my lucky socks...  etc. 

Don't let it get to you too much.  They'll be more like that out there for you!  Get 'em next time.

[NJHEMIRT]

Sorry the big one got away.  Gotta respect the no gaff and release on that monster if you got it on board.  At least you have witnesses!     Tight lines!  (not so tight on the drag - you have taught us!)

[Cappyjoe08527]

Wow that would have been nice to land that one .  Oh well thats fishing at least you got to fight it and everyone saw it.

[Still Running]

Wow Eddie! The one that got away and you had witnesses. That’s still pretty good and you were going to release it, I say it counts. Since you are off this week you need to get back out and try again. Good luck!

[Salty Dog]

I think it's at it's worst when you get a look,and see that it's a monster,then loose him.Sorry. 

[Art Berkman]

Eddie I fished the same area at 1st light & did not get a hit.

[Pops Soul]

To Bad on the nice Eddie, atleast you went back to the dock with a fish story 

[PeggyLee]

Nice report Ed. The bigger one is waiting for you.

[makokeith]

WOW   Too bad, but at least it will be there for me this week. LOL

[Luna Sea 5]

 

[Capt. Don Sr]

  nice report eddie we all experience the big one that got away but that fish will be there to give someone a thrill some other day ,i hope it is me 

[bugmannj]

Sorry you lost him,   Try again

[kpcoe]

To bad Eddie...that would have been sweet...like you said at least you have somethin to talk about.   Went out on a friends boat Sunday from 10-2(just got back from service)...water was very brown from all the rain...didn't have any luck on our half-hearted effort from Great Kills to Princess Bay, but at least the damn starved for fuel alarm stayed off!