Sharky Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I found this while cruising the net I did a few google searches for pics but couldnt find any maby Im typing the wrong key words. Still its an amazing story enjoy, Im not sure if its been posted before. Back in the 50s the navy jetty off balmoral earnt it self a formidable reputation for enormous, tackle breaking fish living amongst its pylons. Everybody assumed that they were kingies as big kings were occasionally spotted cruising around and taking big live baits. But despite attempts by naval personnel with all manner of obscenely heavy tackle including venetian blind cord on a trailer winch and ski rope tied to a army fork lift nothing was ever positively identified. In 1968 the navy jetty was opened to the public but even experienced anglers with more modern game tackle were unable to land these mystery fish. In the mid seventies a guy by the name of Chris Ward turned up with the latest in stand up game tackle. This included a gimbal bucket and all manner of clips and harnesses. The reel was loaded with venetian blind cord and the drag cranked up to the max. It wasn't long before Chris's big bait was eaten but immediately cries realized he had made a big mistake. The drag on the reel would not give and as he was heavily strapped to the rod he was unable to let go. To the horror of the onlookers Chris was dragged across wooden planks and into the water. The body was never recovered and after a court hearing the jetty was again closed to the public on liability grounds. In 1977 the mystery was finally solved when a prawn trawler working off Gladesville entangled a 376lb black cod (now fully protected) in its net. The cod was lying on the deck and one of the trawler men noticed heavy cord coming from the fishes mouth and leading into the water. The cord was retrieved to revealed a hideous discovery. A rod, reel and gimball harness containing the skeletal remains of a human torso rose up out of the water. The head arms and legs were missing so police were unable to ID the remains but decorative binding on the lower section of the custom built rod butt spelt out the word ‘Mango’. Chris Ward originally came from the Queensland town of Bowen where he had grown up on his fathers Mango farm. A quick check with his old school mates revealed that ‘mango’ had indeed been his nick name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 (edited) Ahhhhhhhhhhhh HE NEEDED THE LASTEST BRAID AND A DECENT STAND UP ROD those old rods didnt have the grunt Omg 376LB COD should have got the navy to hit it with a torpedo Cheers Swordfisherman Edited January 31, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Crazy.. i wanted to find out more so i too did a image search, the only pic i could find that seems relevant is this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingsRule Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 ...... Would have been one helluva fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bung Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 you reckon a cod, even that big, could swim all the way to gladesville towing an adult human??? i have heard this story before but thinks it could be more myth than truth!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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