El Canon Del Diablo- PJs thresher pics and others

Most of the threshers that we catch are little babies but they still have some serious ass kicking ability! The two threshers I landed were managed by slipping my gaff in to the mouth and holding on with two hands. They were released unharmed. Most sharks can be gaffed in the mouth safely. I used the more L shaped gaff hook over the more U shaped hook.

Don't read the rest of my post if you get offended by personal opinions:

I am stoked that you got to play out such a great gamefish. I am also stoked it was 'released'. My personal opinion is against keeping sharks but according to the regs you have a right so I'm not going to bash you for it.

Copied from Wikipedia:
"No distinct breeding season is observed by thresher sharks. Fertilization and embryonic development occur internally; this ovoviviparous or live-bearing mode of reproduction results in a small litter (usually 2 to 4) of large well-developed pups, up to 150 cm at birth in thintail threshers. The young fish exhaust their yolk sacs while still inside the mother, at which time they begin feeding on the mother's unfertilized eggs; this is known as oophagy.

Thresher sharks are slow to mature, males reaching sexual maturity between 7 and 13 years of age and females between 8 and 14 years in bigeye threshers. They may live for 20 years or more.

All three thresher shark species have been recently listed as vulnerable to extinction by the World Conservation Union. "


-Brian G

Don't read the rest of my post if you get offended by personal opinions:

I am stoked that you got to play out such a great gamefish. I am also stoked it was 'released'. My personal opinion is against keeping sharks but according to the regs you have a right so I'm not going to bash you for it.

-Brian G

Thanks for the info.  I agree with you about catch & release, even on something as honery as a T-Shark.  Fortunately Andy had some experience & had good advice while it was all going on.  But I totally agree with you, unless someone is prepared to deal with a serious quantity of meat properly & your dealing with a fish that isn't threatened (even if it's a shark) it's better just to grab it for a few, get a photo, & talk story about it.

It was pretty awesome to see that in the water & it took some pretty serious runs, no kidding, 30-40 yards in 3-4 seconds.  Once you feel that kind of power you're a little reluctant to stick something with a gaff that is that strong.

PJ

Good going you guys and nice report rustic andy. Congrats on all the big fish.

Jed