HeartBreak in Tomalas

 

That Frowning face doesn't quite cover how I feel right now

 Got out to Nicks Cove around 7,  poss 100 yrds visability.

 Looks like the first time I'll be flying IFR ( Instrument Flight Rules ),
Thankyou InsaneDuane for getting that Meridian Running!!!! Would have been trouble..

Needless to say I was really glad that I was surrounded on 3 sides by land,

 so I could not get into too much trouble ...

Got in late, so had no bait, stores are not open so it's artificial and trouching the new sabiki rod,

Nada for 3 hours...   then, finally jig up a nice size smelty...

 send it down working the southwest side of Hawgs island with 4 PBer's,

 15 min later, " ClickKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKkkkk "  " Oh Ya!!!! "

 wait,   wait...... wait...... Swing for the Fences!!!!!  Badarka goes Bendo Big Time!!!!

 I'm trying not get to excited, no one has been doing much, and it's probably a big shark, ect...

 Then it makes a run up, giving me slack.....

Sure enough,  Monster Hali!!!!  Reel up fast.... Rod loads up again.....


 one more run..... Gone......

 Just Came off....     Ouch

Well, nice to get out, stuck to my plan, and " Almost " came up big...

Windy all day, fast drift, fog lifted around 1, and the wind maching really turned on,... Dammit   

Hope I can get back  Tomarrow   

I know that feeling man...BUMMER!  You'll get her next time.  Keep at it.

HobieBlue

Ouch...sorry to hear it. We've all been there.
ANdrew

I just love it over by hog on a foggy day. You are right , when the wind comes it blows right out of that liitle bay and whoosh you are on your way to marshall. That really sounds exciting though about the short hit. Just when I think oh yea, pop and my heart goes awww mannnn. Good for you stickin out the cold and fog, weeds out the weak ones. Craig

A similar thing happened when CHUB and I were there.
I was anchored and dozing off when WHAM! bendo! Woke up just in time to miss it.
I casted right back where I got the hit, got in the reclininig position, closed my eyes and WHAM! bendo. Only that time it stuck.
Turned out to be a dang leppy.
Did you actually see it was a hali??
If not then tell yourself it was a bat ray. It's a lot easier to handle that way!

I feel your pain.

Did you actually see it was a hali??

Ya, that's what was really scary, my line was totally slack, and that monster does a Fly by,

Felt oh too good when the rod loaded up again...

Man, I got to get out more,  getting all worked up over a lost Hali.

 I'm really having trouble getting the Big ones in the Boat, so far I've lost 4 in the 20lbish class....

I'm really having trouble getting the Big ones in the Boat, so far I've lost 4 in the 20lbish class...

Heck, at this point I would be so happy just to see one on my line that I would probably fall out of my boat in excitement!! All the same I understand the frustration.. next time, all the more satisfying!!

Sorry about the missed fish...BTDT and it SUCKS!

Danglin,  when you say a nice size smelty about how big was it?  The ones I've been getting lately have been huge (8"-10").  I've been almost reluctant to use them that big.  It has been tough making bait in the usual spots but Pelican pointhas been fast and easy.  Either way nice try and good luck.

Thanks for the great read this morning Danglin. Sorry about the lost hali.
You'll get him next time.

Jed

Sure enough,  Monster Hali!!!!  Reel up fast.... Rod loads up again.....


 one more run..... Gone......

 Just Came off....     Ouch

Bummer, I've experienced this with some monster salmon and steelies, my heart just sinks.  Then I realize that I'm happy to be fishing, usually grab a beer and go for a bigger one.

How did you rig the Smelt.  Threeway with - 2/0 Octo ringed with Stinger (1/0 treb 6" behind)?

I've noticed the pre packed hali set ups being so large don't get as many hook ups, so I've down sized and tied my own.  I'm wondering if you have experience the down side of using smaller set ups?

I'm also curious like Rockroach, how big was the smelt?

when you say a nice size smelty about how big was it?  The ones I've been getting lately have been huge (8"-10"

 About 7"

How did you rig the Smelt

Real Simple, 2oz Banana Weight, 36" fluorocarbon,  size 2 Owner with a ring..

 Slip the hook right thru the snout, leaving the lower jaw open, smelt will last forever...


Really Nice out here today, Fog has burned off, no wind..

Might try late this afternoon if I can get free

Ouch! At least you know they are there...

Tough luck, Don. 

'Tis better to have hooked and lost than to have never hooked at all...    

(cheesy plaguerism!  )

Keep trying.