Ever seen a grown man cry??

[Andys Delight]

Made it down to Keyport by 5pm, no go under the bridge.  Headed out to get eels and came back to the bost by 5:30 was able to fit under by the skin of my teeth.  Full tank, glass water, to Sandy Hook I went.  Got to the tip at about 6:30.  It was strange, just past the tip, huge rollers, move to just north of the tip and it was like glass.  It was rollers to glass like you hit an imaginary line and poof.  Anyway, dropped eel and drifted, tons of marks and no bites.  Moved, moved again, moved again no luck.  Started the engine to move yet again with pole in hand, walked back to reel it up and BAAAMMM!!! 

I set the hook and probably crosseyed the bastard and off he ran, pulling drag like crazy.  I knew I had something special because this was by far the best fight I have ever had.  I took line in, he took line out.  Full drag on my Avet SX 5.3 and he's still ripping it out.  Got him near the boat, he surfaced and my headlamp lit him up.  By far the biggest fish I have ever had on my line, and fairly and honestly speaking this thing was pushing 40 pounds.  He took off again and I let him run to tire him out.  few minutes later I get him boatside again and he looks tired.  Grabbed the net while holding the rod, dipped it in the water..............  And that's when the tears started welling.  I damn near jumped in the water after him.  He shook the hook out, in hindsight I think I dropped the rod tip just enough for him to shake loose.  I am so disgusted and have been having the worst striper season this year ever if you include the crappy spring run I had.  I running out of chances and that was a golden one. 

[Reckless]

Bet your heart was pounding. Good try!!

[Still Running]

On the good side Mike, you saw it. A lot of time you never get to see the fish.
Good luck next time.

[Hotrod]

Wow..  and these things will happen

[Pops Soul]

  Now its all just a another fishing story       

[L.T.]

At least you had the action, Good try

[Hunter 2]

Like Rick said "At least you got to see it"..  Its not easy handling and netting a big fish by yourself.  Great report.   Go back and get him today.

[IrishAyes]

It is very hard to net a BIG fish when you are alone on a boat. You did get to see him and leader him, so it counts as a catch and release.  

[Twins n Fins]

sounds to me like a great night out, you'll get another shot at em! that's what keeps us going back. and back and back!!!! great report

[Offshore Madness]

when i first read the title,I was thinking some thing different,Perhaps you forgotten the oil again.. Glad it wasnt right.....


I hate that fellin when your stomach drops,heart pounds,little beads of sweat on ur forehead as you watch the fish swim back to the dephts as your screaming fu%%&&........Yeah I hate that feeling too.
 Nice effort Mike doin the solo act,Its tough as i found out myself.

[wb]

  happens to the best of us

you're gonna remember that forever

[Andys Delight]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I think on the bright side, I would have snapped a quick photo and released her.  I'm not a fan of the meat on fish that big.  So she did just make it a little easier than I wanted.  When I felt the weight of it originally my first thoughts were "remain calm, don't rush".  When it came up boatside the first time was when my heart really started pounding. 

So, to make this a learning lesson, any tips on netting a big fish solo? 

[Reel Time]

So, to make this a learning lesson, any tips on netting a big fish solo? 

 yea,,, don't drop the tip

 you got everything outta that fish but a pic. but you did get to eye it. good enough i say

[ChrisL]

What a heartbreaker.
But at least you got to see her. 

[SurfJockey]

 

Sorry for your loss.  You will be in my prayers.   

[IrishAyes]

So, to make this a learning lesson, any tips on netting a big fish solo?  

You should be using a leader so...Tire the fish out during the fight. When she is boat side and just 'hanging out', grab your leader and put your rod in a pole holder. Then you can leader the fish into the large net that is in your other hand. If you are going to release the fish make sure to revive it before setting it free. You can do this by lipping the fish and moving it back and forth in the current. The fish will let you know when it is time to be released.

[Offshore Madness]

Have the net close by when the fish is resting up thats your chance.. I always go for the head i put the net under the fish a bit,in case he wants to dive down,if he does he is in the net.

[hiking]

wow, good story, I would call it a great trip. all that is missing is the picture. and you have it burnt into your mind forever.

[Luna Sea 5]

some people never get a fish like that on the line.. so don't feel so bad..

[Scott G.]

   Great fish story >>>>  imagine how big that sucker is going to be next year