[Cleeperjr]

My cousin and I made about 10 mackerel and headed towards Laguna. Started trolling about 4 miles out of the harbor about 2 miles off main beach. After about an hour and a half we started thinking we must be doing something wrong being pretty new at thresher fishing. Just then and literally 2 minutes after the sun went below the horizon we see this huge 6 or 7 foot tail thrashing around right in the middle of our spread. We are on our 20? center consol the Red Rocket and I start thinking ?Were gonna need a bigger boat?! Being pretty clueless about what to do we kept on trolling at the same spread not wanting to change anything with the chance of scaring the shark away. Hindsight I guess we should have done something else since the shark went under after about 45 seconds of thrashing around never to be seen again. We circled around and trolled in the area for about 20 more minutes until it was too dark to see but no more action. Reeled both bait-o-matics in and both mackerels where surgically sliced right in half, leaving basically just the head on the hook.
I?m sure there is standard procedure and I?m guessing I should have either gone into neutral or free spooled to let the shark come back and eat the bait. That would also probably improve the chances of a mouth hook and be better for releasing the fish right?
Either way what an exciting night one the water. It?s now the next morning and I can?t get the vision out of my head of that huge tail thrashing around just 30 yards from our boat! I can?t wait to get back out there.

 

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I think I remember that boat...
I ran into a boat just like that last year when they were having some electrical problems. Unfortunately I was unable to offer the proper assistance but I watched to make sure they made it in ok.
Two guys accompanied by a couple of young ladies as I recall....
Anyways..
I will let some of the experts chime in on what should be done in your situation as there are many here.
I bet you will never forget that tail thrashing around!!
John

 

[Cleeperjr]

John,
That was us alright. We really appreciated you taking the time to assist us. I worked on the Newport Lifeguard boats for many years so I made a call and fortunately they came and towed us all the way back from the 14 mile banks (at about 20 kts). We where headed to the Island that morning and where bummed to have our plans change. What a nice day that was. I remember that you where trolling when we talked on the radio. Did that day end up producing for you?
Thanks again for your help that day.
Chas

 

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Chas,
I thought that was you!
Hey no problem with the help...I am sure you would have done the same. Just sorry I couldn't get your problem resolved.
It was a beautiful day and with my wife on board just that much better!!
I spent plenty of time trolling around for those pointy nosed creatures last year locally and never saw a one!! A very slow year.
I hope this year is better.

Cheers
John