I touched the leader !?

[deerphil]

A couple of years ago, almost to the day I managed to achieve my Holy Grail - Tope, and overrun was
good enough to come off anchor to take the trophy shot for me. So with a week off work I have been
hoping for an opportunity to have another go. Yesterday after a delayed start, I finally arrived at 3 pm,
the sea was calm and everything was going to plan - then I remembered , it was Friday the 13th

I was soon anchored up on the reef and practised my trophy shot with a bait robbing Huss.



The DOGS were smiling AT me - I wanted the GODS to be smiling ON me ! Then just as I was thinking
of a move, the ratchet started to sing with an unmistakeable Tope run. I pulled into it and all hell let loose.
This was a good fish and after running up tide and nearly taking my anchor warp, it turned back and took
over 100 metres of line from my reel at alarming speed - fantastic !

Eventually I was in control and a good Tope was at the yak side. She was far too lively to get on board for
that trophy shot yet, so I let go of the leader and managed to get the camera out for a quick snap.



I was on my own out here (on Friday the 13th) and whilst debating whether to invite her aboard she promptly unhooked herself - and there she was - Gone ! You can see the hook in the air top left, not bad without a gopro



I hooked a second Tope later which also came off. That is the last time I'm going to use barbless hooks
for Tope.
Having run out of Dog food, I called it a day and tried a few lures to see if could catch a Garfish. You never know, I may accidentally hook an out of season Bass It was a lovely relaxing evening and the lack of takes on the lures didn't really matter at all.



Because of such a late start, the sun was going down before I knew it ,



and the long haul back to the car began. I was chilled , relaxed , content - and Knackered all at the same time, with a return drive of over 2 hours to look forward to. It had definitely been worth the effort though.



Another trophy shot like my "Holy Grail Tope" that overrun took for me , will have to wait.
I doubt this one will ever be beaten anyway. However, I'll be trying to meet the challenge again soon.



It may have been Friday the 13th but I got my Tope , I touched the leader - So I'm claiming it !

[ZEBRA]

brilliant report love the photos

[BUDDY]

Excellent report.
Well done Phil.
Steve.

[pike]

Cracking report and fish.daunting task pulling one of those big ladies on to the Yak when out alone. You had hold of leader and got some pics well-done. What was you using for trace thick mono or wire

[nala]

Brilliant report and photos, a once in a lifetime moment(s) !!!!!

Awesome experience .....!




"it looks like a short length of wire and the leader in mono"

[deerphil]

May 15, 2016 4:43:22 GMT -1 pike said:

Cracking report and fish.daunting task pulling one of those big ladies on to the Yak when out alone. You had hold of leader and got some pics well-done. What was you using for trace thick mono or wire

Cheers pike
I used barbless J hook with a foot of 80 lb wire onto 6 foot of 100 lb mono, main line 30 lb braid.
Trying different hooks next time with tiny barb ! It was a good size, so might have chickened out
of inviting her aboard anyway - perhaps a good thing that the hook came out
will be in touch soon.