ARW 3/26/08 - ChuckE vs the GIANT Bat Ray

Well bait was hard to come by and the fishing was slow but it was a great day on the bay and good to re-connect with Frank, Chuck Duane and John. Fished artificials all day for nada but watching Chuck go mano-e-mano with a 50-100# class bat ray was worth the trip. What made the 30 minute battle particularly entertaining was the relatively wimpy rod and undersized net.  All that said, Chuck did end up with a clean release after boating the ray.

Scott

Nice bendo shot.  Thanks for the report, Scott.

 

water looks so very calming.....but Chuck doesn't!  Don't you guys have jobs or house projects that need to be addressed?
....how bout a MADDENING hobby of some kind?!  
I really wished that you guys would have hook'd up on the buts'
...cuzIneedSOMEWHEREtoFISHthisFRIDAY!   thanks for the port&pic Scott!  

Now that's bendo! Any pics of the ray?

Z

glad someone was on the water today and way to be johnnyonthephotoop!

Don't you guys have jobs or house projects that need to be addressed?

I was thinking the same thing... am I a hater?

Don't you guys have jobs or house projects that need to be addressed?

I was thinking the same thing... am I a hater?

Why....yes we are!

Wow! Is that a fly rod blank?? Awesome picture! Thanks Great Bass 2

Frank and I are old farts who have more time off than others, Frank way more than me.   Chuck, Duane and John I can't speak for but I am sure they put in more than 40 hours. Personally, I would like Freddie's job... drop the boys off, catch a sturgeon, pick the boys up, cook the sturgeon.

scott

Ahh, come one. That thing's snagged on the bottom. 

Frank did you pick up some minnow and test them out. Was kinda wondering how long they stayed alive. Looks like a great day out there .

Pat R

I have videos waiting for youtube to post them they take forever been 1hr so far

That ray was a beast.  JTF says it's the biggest Ray he's ever seen landed on a kayak.  I know it's the biggest I've ever seen or caught around here.  JTF estimated around 80 pounds and the ol' PFIC pier rat knows his rays.

The ray tried to eat my little live jacksmelt but eventually got snagged in the shoulders by the swimbait that was being pulled along on the other end of the 3-way swivel rig.

I must have been hootin-n-hollerin' like a crazy man because that ray was having it's way with me, pulling and spinning me all around the place.  Scott said the fight last around 30 minutes and I felt every minute of it.  I was expecting my rod to snap every time the ray took a run.

What made the 30 minute battle particularly entertaining was the relatively wimpy rod and undersized net.  All that said, Chuck did end up with a clean release after boating the ray.
Scott

That rod did look wimpy against that big ray but that Shimano Clarus rod is actually rated to 30lbs and has landed some big fish including my biggest salmon and a derby winning halibut.  The net was definitely undersized  .

I eventually got the ray tired out and close enough to the boat to lip hook with my gaff so I could remove the lure, take a few pics, and release it.  JTF and Frank will hopefully post the pics.

Later Duane also hooked and released a big ray too.  I'll let him tell his story.

Other than the excitement with the big bat rays, the fishing sucked.  But no one was complaining since the weather was gorgeous and the company was fun.

Don't you guys have jobs or house projects that need to be addressed?

Well... I did come straight from work this morning, and YES... I do have house projects I need to do... so just don't remind my wife.... PLEASE.

Don't you guys have jobs or house projects that need to be addressed?

Well... I did come straight from work this morning, and YES... I do have house projects I need to do... so just don't remind my wife.... PLEASE.

A disease that has no cure. Nice bendo Chuck... we just went out last Monday! You make me so jealous. Thanks for the report, Scott.

LL