Since getting into shark fishing almost 3 years ago the most pleasant suprise has been that winter is not a desolate time where the shark tackle may as well go into hibernation, it's in fact the time when the most spectacular of all sharks come out to play, the Blacktip!!
Now I've seen more Raggies come out in one day than I see Blacktips in a winter but when you see that Blacktip come cartwheeling or spinning clean out the water as a pause in a blistering run you begin to realise that this is about as good as sportfishing for sharks can get. They're not the biggest, strongest sharks you'll ever meet but they sure are the most spectacular. They set off on a blistering run (most times) then jump, then run some more or double back 100mtr only to turn around and take all the line back again. Addictive is what they are.
I've only hooked 3 and fortunately I've landed them all but with each one the addiction grows, SO that meant I needed to find some close to home and if last nights trip is anything to go by, MAYBE, we're onto something.
Gonubie point was looking good with the 3mtr plus swell kicking up some good colour but the under currents from the swell looked troublesome. The last minute call was therefore made to Gareth & Wade and off we went to Kwelera. 1st Baits out and after 1-1/2 hr I want to check my baits and find my one sinker has been moved by the big swell and I end up with one line burnt off and one damaged so I say to Wade, "here's your chance while both my lines are out" but before I finish my sentence he interupts me as he rod starts getting pulled flat and he's on, but then moments later he was off again
1,1mm leader just not enough and it looks like he was jumped off.
I send out a sandy fillet and then a yellowtail head and make myself comfortable to chat while we wait. Before long I hear the ratchet scream on the light stick with the yellowtail head
Game on it feels like a Blacktip and it makes several runs before eventually surrendering the fight. It was a great fight on 0,50 and 1,2mm leader and included 2 100mtr runs and many shorter runs with what felt like a few jumps in between as well as it swimming straight back at me a few times.
Once landed he was quickly, tagged, measured, photographed and released to fight another day.
173cm 79kg, male Blacktip
Now I've seen more Raggies come out in one day than I see Blacktips in a winter but when you see that Blacktip come cartwheeling or spinning clean out the water as a pause in a blistering run you begin to realise that this is about as good as sportfishing for sharks can get. They're not the biggest, strongest sharks you'll ever meet but they sure are the most spectacular. They set off on a blistering run (most times) then jump, then run some more or double back 100mtr only to turn around and take all the line back again. Addictive is what they are.
I've only hooked 3 and fortunately I've landed them all but with each one the addiction grows, SO that meant I needed to find some close to home and if last nights trip is anything to go by, MAYBE, we're onto something.
Gonubie point was looking good with the 3mtr plus swell kicking up some good colour but the under currents from the swell looked troublesome. The last minute call was therefore made to Gareth & Wade and off we went to Kwelera. 1st Baits out and after 1-1/2 hr I want to check my baits and find my one sinker has been moved by the big swell and I end up with one line burnt off and one damaged so I say to Wade, "here's your chance while both my lines are out" but before I finish my sentence he interupts me as he rod starts getting pulled flat and he's on, but then moments later he was off again
1,1mm leader just not enough and it looks like he was jumped off.I send out a sandy fillet and then a yellowtail head and make myself comfortable to chat while we wait. Before long I hear the ratchet scream on the light stick with the yellowtail head
Game on
it feels like a Blacktip and it makes several runs before eventually surrendering the fight. It was a great fight on 0,50 and 1,2mm leader and included 2 100mtr runs and many shorter runs with what felt like a few jumps in between as well as it swimming straight back at me a few times.Once landed he was quickly, tagged, measured, photographed and released to fight another day.
173cm 79kg, male Blacktip
