nutsaboutfishing Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 (edited) First post in quite a while. After being snapped off by a nice bream on Friday because my drag was too tight, I was kicking myself, so went home and put 24 oz in a plastic bag and set my drag properly. I also put some marks on my reel so I could stop estimating my drag and have it spot on every time. Lucky I did so. Went for a predawn start on Sunday. A few casts in I hooked a 31cm bream. Usually when I get a decent catch the rest of the session is pretty slow, but not this time. i keep casting and suddenly feel weight, so I start winding in. No real fight so i figure it’s a flathead, but next thing the fish wakes up and the drag begins to singing! First run was about 5 seconds and I pump and wind when it’s over. Second run was even longer. This continues for about 2 or 3 minutes but it felt like much longer. About 5 or 6 runs all up. No aerial acrobats so I begin to dream could this be my first land based kingy? By now I’m shaking with excitement, I see a surface swirl and some colour, it’s silver/ grey. Next problem, how am I going to land it? There are pluses and minuses to fishing the Bay run. The main minus is that if you’re not careful, human bycatch. The plus is someone will usually stop and help you net a fish, as was the case this time. The guy netted my fish, took a quick photo for himself and kept on jogging. I unwrap the net and see it’s a salmon. Went 47 cm so very happy, but not that elusive land based kingfish. i usually fish less as the weather cools, but after this session I might just keep fishing a bit longer. Edited May 18 by nutsaboutfishing Forgot photos 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bessell1955 Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Greta catch, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linewetter Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Good catches! What sort of marks do you put on your reel? I’d like to do the same so I can accurately set my drag too…so far I’ve been estimating but want a better way to set my drag with more confidence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 Gotta be happy with that session. Good luck with your upcoming trips. Cheers, bn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 Great pics, nice fish, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 On 5/20/2024 at 8:04 PM, linewetter said: Good catches! What sort of marks do you put on your reel? I’d like to do the same so I can accurately set my drag too…so far I’ve been estimating but want a better way to set my drag with more confidence I put a mark on the reel that lines up with the drag dial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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