A very late report

[Johnbob]

Time I shared a capture report with you guys. I have been a member here for a while but an infrequent poster, mostly coz it seems this was a NSW site and me being from Vic and all (dont throw rocks pls lol). Anyway after meeting the Swordies in Bali I thought it was time to get involved.

Now this trip report is pretty old, almost a year. I was meant to be going to Port Stephens with mates on the beakies when I found out that the school year for preppies began on a Thursday (WTF??) which ruled me out of the trip, no way I was going to miss my little ones first day at school which was right in the middle of the trip. Anyway feeling a little displeased a mate and I went out for a pre work fish as a consolation prize. Jan and Feb is a prime time in southern Port Phillip Bay for big female gummy sharks – they seem so come in from the open ocean and pup at that time. We have out technique for these fish pretty wired and usually catch one or two a session and we release all but one a year unless we find some smaller versions. Any way we motored to a favoured ‘big fish’ mark off Sorrento and set anchor pre dawn – two rods out each mine baited with occy and a salmon filet. Within 10 mins one of mine buckles quickly followed by the other and we are both on. Straight away we realised we were hooked up to the same fish and we discussed one cutting away but what if one pulled anyway? we both fought on lol. It was clearly a very good fish and 10 mins later no sign of it, suddenly big splashes back behind the boat and my line is cut. We still couldn’t see this thing but we were starting to think thresher by the surface activity. The fish was now a dead weight and was pulled along the surface to the waiting net – this was no easy task as what had occurred was our prize had been savaged by a big bull seal – her organs were crushed and this seal later cost me a prized rod as well grrrrrrrrr.

Anyway with the fish on board we were simply amazed. Jay and I have caught hundreds of these things between us and many over 20kgs but this thing was out of the ballpark and among my mates the biggest we know of – it pulle dthe scales to 37 kgs but we have rounded down to 36. was a shame we could not release her but not a scrap was wasted. Cheers!

[cheap charlie]

Wow, Thats massive.

Your second picture gave me a good laugh.

[jayoox]

That's huge.

It looks like you were sleeping with it!

[AEG]

i think thats what you call 'Sleeping with the enemy'

[Johnbob]

Thanks guys.... yeah thats Jay lying down with the fish, not quite sure what he was up to...

[Dusky_Chaser]

Good to see a Fellow Mexican.

Great fish

[Johnbob]

Good to see a Fellow Mexican.

Great fish

Hey there Dusky....! You lost too!

[Fisherman36]

"......Thanks guys.... yeah thats Jay lying down with the fish, not quite sure what he was up to..."

I've seen lots of those survival shows where they show you how to stay warm at night and preserve body heat etc. but spooning with a shark???? Now that's taking things to the extreme! Don't even think Bear Gryllis would be trying that. Hehe.

[mialla]

That's impressive - well done