BreathlessSight
07-20-2008, 06:42 AM
I thaught today would be a good time to tell the story of my first encounter with my biggest Wahoo. Some would think Im going to tell a story of some epic adventure that took place off shore near some local FAD's. Nope. I actually found these Wahoo very close to shore and in a place where no one would even think to look for palagics. Most of the locals would tell you that this area no longer holds the monster fish it once did before but I would beg to differ. On many accounts I have seen massive fish, from grouper, Wahoo, Mahi, YF Tuna, Mackerel, and assorted reef fish.
On this day we set out to one of our grand fishing locations. We were using a friends 15ft boat with a motor comprised of various parts from a 9hp and a 15hp engine. Good thing today the swells were null. This was good since our 15 footer doesnt take kindly to more typical run through 1.5m swells. Normaly it takes us an eternity to arrive at our destination. It's not uncommon for us arriving at port with ankle high water in the boat. But today was different than usual, today was glass flat.
All three of us suited up in record time and jumped in the boat. I steered the guys through the shallow channel as onlookers too curiousity to our intent. We were focused and payed them no attention as we got our head in the game. We were to come out of the channel and proceed straight towards some structure where some massive GT and sometimes big Malabar grouper are sited. The plan was simple. Since there is not enough anchor line in the boat to anchor, one person was to drive the boat and drop two off at one end Navy Seal style so not to alert anyone or anything to our presence. As we came out of the channel, I could see the guys discussing something but I couldnt hear them over the high reving two stroke engine. Soon one turned and said to hit the big ship port since last time there was some massive grouper and sweet lips to be found there. 'Sure thing!' I said.
Well when we got there guess what? I forgot my mask at home. Isnt that something? Im well known for forgetting things mainly becuase Im the one that is always rushed to get everything together for everyone else. No big deal. I simply droped the guys off and went back to the dock, jumped in the car, and came back in record time. I picked up the other two on the way out and we headed out. Now we were trying to figure out who should drive the boat. Honestly no one wanted to do it but someone had to. Then the answer came before us in the water. More divers. Friends of mine. So we picked em up and worked out a deal for them to use the boat after they droped us off at our destination. This worked out rather well other than when they were late picking us up.
When we jumped in the water was glassier than I have ever seen it. We were greated by a large school of somekind of tevelly. I was just watching the scene when I happen to look over to my right and I saw something I wasnt even expecting. The vibrant colors of blue surrounding the bright stripes. He was sitting there in a curious trance trying to figure me out. When he notice I had spotted him his eyes grew large and he turned broad side keeping his distance. By this time another diver had seen in. I looked at him trying to hint to him that I was trying to lure him in. The fish came by a few times and I didnt think I had "The Shot" so I let him pass. The next time he came by I was lined up and ready when I heard a gun fire. From the corner of my right eye I saw a shaft fly under the fish. The fish spooked and took off but stoped after a few meters. I then knew his patience was wearing thin so I pulled out the secret weapon. No not my 1.4m rail gun but an ordinary eating utinsile. Thats right, a spoon! Oldest trick in the book. I threw that bad boy over my head and watched it hit the surface of the water.
The fish caught site of this spoon making its dance ever so slowly to the bottom of the bay. He turned colors and began to charge the spoon but his eyes watched me on ocassion. I dove but he veared off to never return. I was more dissapointed that I had lost my only spoon for the day. I only had butter knife handles which fall faster but give off more vibration. I found grouper like those a lot and will come out of their holes with lightning speed to attack. The rest of the dive I kept looking out in open water in hopes of his return but it never came to be. Later I notice a boat trolling and maybe thats why the wahoo was so close to our position and even in these waters.
Once back in the boat we kept silent to our friends who ealier that year sighted some Yellowfin in the same area along with dogtooth. Abe explained how he only took the 25lb yellowfin cuz he was nervous about shooting the 100lbers on reel. I joked with him and commented on how if he shot them in the head he had nothing to worry about. I insisted he should have taken the shot and all he would have lost is a shaft or gun at most. I didnt push it too much, he gets sore rather easy and I didnt want to steal his thunder from the 25lber he landed. He insured me that yellowfin were nothing like dogtooth. I guess the speed at which the yellowfin cruised the waters led him to believe they faught harder. But I didnt leak the secret of the wahoo just yet. Wahoo was nothing new and anyone could have got one on a typical bluewater trip but to find them in the range of 30lbs + was not common around these parts.
After we dropped them off near shore I told they guys that if there was one out there around that structure there had to be more. I suggested that we hit a nearby FAD instead of heading to the rocks to find reef fish. Reef fish are a dime a dozen and its not everyday we see large water of up to 80lbs. So we jumped in and floated towards the FAD. It passed by us and my dive bud was already signaling to the boat and thats when I saw something. On the surface coming right for us was 5 massive torpedoes. I yelled to the boat to stay put as we trired our luck. At first they were courageou with out fear. I still couldnt get that good body or headshot. I guess my dive buddy was trigger happy or impatient with my accuracy approach. Cuz I droped the secret weapon once again and I had lined up on the top of the head of the big leader when... PPshhhhhhht! I heard the sound of an Omer gun fire. I looked over only to see the shaft fall with nothing on the end. I was a little fustrated only to the thaught that we might loose them. Well I was running out of tricks.
Since the water was dirty I thaught I could dive down and come up under them. So I dove in the 80ft of water and as I leveled off they came towards me overhead. The biggest one furthest away from me. I was thinking to myself about an event that happened only a month ago in Hawaii. I was diving with some friends on the east side and for some reason I struck the curiousity of a wahoo when everyone else failed. With only a 110cm gun, little reel line, thin shaft, and small mono I shot high in the fishes head. He drug me only a few feet before the mono broke. I was upset that day, I dont like it when gear fails and its not a good excuse for me not to land a fish. But this day was going to be different. My 1.4m gun, twin 5/8 bands, 7.5mm shaft, 400lb mono, and yards of reel line was going to prove that good gear is essential.
As I floated slowly toward the surface they came in at an angle down towards me. The whole time I was very still and my mirror lens hid my intensions. They were finaly with in range. I extended my gun... they didnt like this and started to vear off course. It was now or never. Shoot and risk the fish coming off or dragging you around or live in regret of never shooting. I took the shot on the closest fish almost shikabobing him from neck to tail. He took off and headed up, reel spinning out of control. I took hold of the reel and tightened it up, grabbed the line and held on. He stopped after awhile but was still strong. For ever 8 inches of line I took he took almost 6 back. The boat came around but too close for comfort and almost struck my gun and miles of reel line in the water. The capt was quick and only had to move the line out from under the boat after cutting the engine.
Inch by inch I pulled up the fish and then the line went slack. My heart sank for a moment. Two things ran through my mind. Either a shark got it or it came off. I hope it wasnt a shark for there were stories of massive GWS and Tigers floating around in these waters. He quickly came into view and I dove pulling down the line. I got to the fish and quickly grabbed it tail as it went beserk. I luckily got my hand in its gills with all fingers intact. Then the fish wanted to play. But I had my own games as well. I made that hard headed fish do all the work for me. First he swam me to the surface where I slit the top of his gills to bleed him out. Then with still more fight he swam me to the boat where he spent the rest of the day.
The fish weighed 41lbs and wasnte even close to being the biggest one out there. It was some good eating prepared in just about every way. From Sashimi during felleting to cook on the grill.
Later that year I showed buddies Rob and Pray the secret honey hole where Rob took a 31lber. I swear that it was from the same pack as this time there was 4 that came to visit instead of 5 on my ocassion. But the biggest one still got away to live another day.
On this day we set out to one of our grand fishing locations. We were using a friends 15ft boat with a motor comprised of various parts from a 9hp and a 15hp engine. Good thing today the swells were null. This was good since our 15 footer doesnt take kindly to more typical run through 1.5m swells. Normaly it takes us an eternity to arrive at our destination. It's not uncommon for us arriving at port with ankle high water in the boat. But today was different than usual, today was glass flat.
All three of us suited up in record time and jumped in the boat. I steered the guys through the shallow channel as onlookers too curiousity to our intent. We were focused and payed them no attention as we got our head in the game. We were to come out of the channel and proceed straight towards some structure where some massive GT and sometimes big Malabar grouper are sited. The plan was simple. Since there is not enough anchor line in the boat to anchor, one person was to drive the boat and drop two off at one end Navy Seal style so not to alert anyone or anything to our presence. As we came out of the channel, I could see the guys discussing something but I couldnt hear them over the high reving two stroke engine. Soon one turned and said to hit the big ship port since last time there was some massive grouper and sweet lips to be found there. 'Sure thing!' I said.
Well when we got there guess what? I forgot my mask at home. Isnt that something? Im well known for forgetting things mainly becuase Im the one that is always rushed to get everything together for everyone else. No big deal. I simply droped the guys off and went back to the dock, jumped in the car, and came back in record time. I picked up the other two on the way out and we headed out. Now we were trying to figure out who should drive the boat. Honestly no one wanted to do it but someone had to. Then the answer came before us in the water. More divers. Friends of mine. So we picked em up and worked out a deal for them to use the boat after they droped us off at our destination. This worked out rather well other than when they were late picking us up.
When we jumped in the water was glassier than I have ever seen it. We were greated by a large school of somekind of tevelly. I was just watching the scene when I happen to look over to my right and I saw something I wasnt even expecting. The vibrant colors of blue surrounding the bright stripes. He was sitting there in a curious trance trying to figure me out. When he notice I had spotted him his eyes grew large and he turned broad side keeping his distance. By this time another diver had seen in. I looked at him trying to hint to him that I was trying to lure him in. The fish came by a few times and I didnt think I had "The Shot" so I let him pass. The next time he came by I was lined up and ready when I heard a gun fire. From the corner of my right eye I saw a shaft fly under the fish. The fish spooked and took off but stoped after a few meters. I then knew his patience was wearing thin so I pulled out the secret weapon. No not my 1.4m rail gun but an ordinary eating utinsile. Thats right, a spoon! Oldest trick in the book. I threw that bad boy over my head and watched it hit the surface of the water.
The fish caught site of this spoon making its dance ever so slowly to the bottom of the bay. He turned colors and began to charge the spoon but his eyes watched me on ocassion. I dove but he veared off to never return. I was more dissapointed that I had lost my only spoon for the day. I only had butter knife handles which fall faster but give off more vibration. I found grouper like those a lot and will come out of their holes with lightning speed to attack. The rest of the dive I kept looking out in open water in hopes of his return but it never came to be. Later I notice a boat trolling and maybe thats why the wahoo was so close to our position and even in these waters.
Once back in the boat we kept silent to our friends who ealier that year sighted some Yellowfin in the same area along with dogtooth. Abe explained how he only took the 25lb yellowfin cuz he was nervous about shooting the 100lbers on reel. I joked with him and commented on how if he shot them in the head he had nothing to worry about. I insisted he should have taken the shot and all he would have lost is a shaft or gun at most. I didnt push it too much, he gets sore rather easy and I didnt want to steal his thunder from the 25lber he landed. He insured me that yellowfin were nothing like dogtooth. I guess the speed at which the yellowfin cruised the waters led him to believe they faught harder. But I didnt leak the secret of the wahoo just yet. Wahoo was nothing new and anyone could have got one on a typical bluewater trip but to find them in the range of 30lbs + was not common around these parts.
After we dropped them off near shore I told they guys that if there was one out there around that structure there had to be more. I suggested that we hit a nearby FAD instead of heading to the rocks to find reef fish. Reef fish are a dime a dozen and its not everyday we see large water of up to 80lbs. So we jumped in and floated towards the FAD. It passed by us and my dive bud was already signaling to the boat and thats when I saw something. On the surface coming right for us was 5 massive torpedoes. I yelled to the boat to stay put as we trired our luck. At first they were courageou with out fear. I still couldnt get that good body or headshot. I guess my dive buddy was trigger happy or impatient with my accuracy approach. Cuz I droped the secret weapon once again and I had lined up on the top of the head of the big leader when... PPshhhhhhht! I heard the sound of an Omer gun fire. I looked over only to see the shaft fall with nothing on the end. I was a little fustrated only to the thaught that we might loose them. Well I was running out of tricks.
Since the water was dirty I thaught I could dive down and come up under them. So I dove in the 80ft of water and as I leveled off they came towards me overhead. The biggest one furthest away from me. I was thinking to myself about an event that happened only a month ago in Hawaii. I was diving with some friends on the east side and for some reason I struck the curiousity of a wahoo when everyone else failed. With only a 110cm gun, little reel line, thin shaft, and small mono I shot high in the fishes head. He drug me only a few feet before the mono broke. I was upset that day, I dont like it when gear fails and its not a good excuse for me not to land a fish. But this day was going to be different. My 1.4m gun, twin 5/8 bands, 7.5mm shaft, 400lb mono, and yards of reel line was going to prove that good gear is essential.
As I floated slowly toward the surface they came in at an angle down towards me. The whole time I was very still and my mirror lens hid my intensions. They were finaly with in range. I extended my gun... they didnt like this and started to vear off course. It was now or never. Shoot and risk the fish coming off or dragging you around or live in regret of never shooting. I took the shot on the closest fish almost shikabobing him from neck to tail. He took off and headed up, reel spinning out of control. I took hold of the reel and tightened it up, grabbed the line and held on. He stopped after awhile but was still strong. For ever 8 inches of line I took he took almost 6 back. The boat came around but too close for comfort and almost struck my gun and miles of reel line in the water. The capt was quick and only had to move the line out from under the boat after cutting the engine.
Inch by inch I pulled up the fish and then the line went slack. My heart sank for a moment. Two things ran through my mind. Either a shark got it or it came off. I hope it wasnt a shark for there were stories of massive GWS and Tigers floating around in these waters. He quickly came into view and I dove pulling down the line. I got to the fish and quickly grabbed it tail as it went beserk. I luckily got my hand in its gills with all fingers intact. Then the fish wanted to play. But I had my own games as well. I made that hard headed fish do all the work for me. First he swam me to the surface where I slit the top of his gills to bleed him out. Then with still more fight he swam me to the boat where he spent the rest of the day.
The fish weighed 41lbs and wasnte even close to being the biggest one out there. It was some good eating prepared in just about every way. From Sashimi during felleting to cook on the grill.
Later that year I showed buddies Rob and Pray the secret honey hole where Rob took a 31lber. I swear that it was from the same pack as this time there was 4 that came to visit instead of 5 on my ocassion. But the biggest one still got away to live another day.