WSB Landing tips

Hello all,

Was wondering if anyone can fill me in on what to do and more importantly, what not to try to do when landing a WSB, i.e., gaff or net, keep head in water or is out OK?, grab by gills or not? cut gills and bleed or not? Beat head with bat or not? Once landed is a stringer or on deck better?... I figure, the devil is in the details so as many details on how to land and subdue a WSB on a kayak would be greatly appreciated. Also, any particular things to watch out for when on the perverbial "sleigh ride"?

Any info is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks.

I've landed two so take the following advice as you see fit. Let the fish tire itself out. WSB seem to pretty much give up and roll over when the fight is done (which lasted me 20-30 min each). So the first tip is let the fish run with some drag tension. When they came boatside they just rolled over and played dead. You will need to gaff them. These are big fish and a net would have to be massive to be useful. As with other fish try and gaff the lower lip or inside the gill. And make sure the gaff is very sharp. These things have tough skin and gill plates. They have some rough gil rakers so a hand in the gills may not be the best idea esp. w/o a glove. Once on the gaff, slide your game clip in and secure it. I do this all with the hook still in the fish. On my 2nd one the clip slipped open and the fish slid back into the water. It didn't swim away but still being hooked eased the 'oh shit level' once secure I pulled them in the tankwell. I used a strap from two pad eyes to secure them. Again these are big fish and sea lions would love one. So dragging it in the water would be crazy IMHO. Additionally, it would add a ton of drag as you come in. I didn't see a need to bonk them. They were all but dead. A couple of gentle tail wags is all I got. And yes I am sure bleeding would help as it does with just about all fish.

there ya go...thats all i got. happy hunting!

I have only caught one but have seen a few pros in action.  The only variation I see to EWB's is that a boga connected to the boat is used, then the gaff, stringer.  He then cut the gills.  If it fits in the tankwell great.  If not, just put it in your lap.

Breath deeply, and when you stop shaking, do a victory dance 

Great tips there Eugene. Thanks for sharing. On my last
outing, I got spooled. Perhaps I did not have enough
drag. I was already on a good sleigh ride. Could have been
a seal than a WSB. Would a 250yd line long enough to
battle these fish?

Jedmo

Breath deeply, and when you stop shaking, do a victory dance 

yeah I forgot to mention. in the excitement you will forget all this and just wing it!

A little less than 50% drag and just let it tire itself.  This is a no-brainer but just in case - don't reel in when it's running.  That's assuming that there's not much boat traffic and you have to be creative if there is.  I chase them down with a hobie so they're vertical most of the time.

For the landing part, gaff it Hard!  I take a deep breath followed by sliding it into the yak instead of trying to lift too much of it out of the water.  They're practically dead at that point, but I had one where it was still lively after an hour fight.  It was rocking my yak and I was a little worried for a bit until I clubbed it with the handle of the gaff. 

String it, bleed it, put it in the back, cover it w/a towel to protect your precious baby, pour water on her one and awhile, fillet her into 4 pieces, extract the stones... be crazy enough to get back on the water and hope for a repeat.

Great tips there Eugene. Thanks for sharing. On my last
outing, I got spooled. Perhaps I did not have enough
drag. I was already on a good sleigh ride. Could have been
a seal than a WSB. Would a 250yd line long enough to
battle these fish?

Jedmo