Bracey Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 My boat is a bowrider and not really set up for fishing as I don’t have any rod holders. I had a live bait out the front with the rod just wedged against the front cushions. My mate and I were fishing off the back when the yakka got hit hard and the rod loaded up and was bent against the side of the boat. I scrambled to the front but it snapped just above the second guide as I got to it. I was fairly sure it was a king but I only had 4 foot of rod left. I was doing ok getting some line in, with the other bits of the rod sitting in the water with the line still through their guides. As I got him close to he did another run toward the rear and the line ended up around the motor. At this stage with no way to turn the fish and the line caught I thought I had zero chance of ever seeing this fish. We managed to push the line away from the motor with the net and he did one last run directly away from the boat. I just let him go for awhile and then wound as fast as I could against the drag. By the time he got to the boat he was knackered and so was I. My first king against the odds. The rod was in 4 pieces but I was lucky I didn’t lose the whole lot overboard right at the beginning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catchin Jack Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Very nice, worth snapping your rod for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Stalker Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Congrats on getting the fish in What size rod and line were you using? Your rod must have been in a bit of a bad position to snap like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasksta Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Great fish, great story. What a way to get your first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadavu Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 how did you do it man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhype Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Nice looking travelers rod you have there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracey Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 (edited) The rod was a 6'8" Catana rated 6-8 kg. I was using 20 lb braid with 30 lb leader. I was just glad my knots held being new to this kind of setup. Thanks to Slinky for his recommendation of the slim beauty. So if I get a proper rod holder and with the hope of another king down the track should I get a stronger rod? I'm sure it was the poor position that caused this one to snap. Cheers, Bart Edited February 9, 2012 by Bartdude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Incredible Hull Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Nice work! Now you have an excuse to upgrade rods! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Congrats on your 1st King, and now you have a good story to tell forever on how you caught it cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gretsch Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Bart, That is about the 5th Catana I have heard of snapping. They are super brittle. I am fixing one for a mate at the moment and the blank walls are extremely thin. Have a shop around for a replacement. You really need 10-15kg if you're going to live bait as you never know whats going to inhale your livey!!! Nice King, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracey Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 Bart, That is about the 5th Catana I have heard of snapping. They are super brittle. I am fixing one for a mate at the moment and the blank walls are extremely thin. Have a shop around for a replacement. You really need 10-15kg if you're going to live bait as you never know whats going to inhale your livey!!! Nice King, by the way. I just bought an Ugly Stick Platinum 7'0" rated 6-10kg. I might have undercooked it a bit again! Nothing like a rushed decision online when your stuck away with work with only a computer. Cheers, Bart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
night_rider Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Awesome story. Well worth it, solid fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinsoi Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Great effort and improvisation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little marlin Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Well done Bartdude on landing the king. I know a few blokes who have lost set ups due to a king smashing the livie including myself. At least u got to keep the fish and the reel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gretsch Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) I just bought an Ugly Stick Platinum 7'0" rated 6-10kg. I might have undercooked it a bit again! Nothing like a rushed decision online when your stuck away with work with only a computer. Cheers, Bart The good thing about Ugly Stiks is that they are tough and take a great deal of abuse (at least the ones I own have). That is a good medium stick for kings. Edited February 10, 2012 by Cephalopod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I love stories about rods exploding!!! Well done on the king and heed the advice of experienced others........a boofier outfit may be a good move for the big guns!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhype Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Bart, That is about the 5th Catana I have heard of snapping. They are super brittle. I am fixing one for a mate at the moment and the blank walls are extremely thin. Have a shop around for a replacement. You really need 10-15kg if you're going to live bait as you never know whats going to inhale your livey!!! Nice King, by the way. You can make that 6 rods now....my mate's catana also exploded when he tossed out a heavier popper, snapped near the tip. Rod was replaced under warranty no problem.. but it does make you wonder about the quality of the blanks used... Trung Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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