Got some new intel and decided to run out and try for another shot at wahoo. This time I busted out a brand new rigged BaitOmatic with 350# steel leader. I even changed out the hooks to a $15 marlin hook just to make sure and rigged it on my 100# set up.
It was a great morning to take off!
I was running out when I startled something big swimming. Not sure if it was a marlin or a shark, but it pushed a good undulating wake. I decided to troll the area. As I was trolling, I saw a 300# ranged marlin jump and cruised over to see if I could get a taker. I also saw a few more manta rays jumping which are always cool.
I trolled for a few hours when the SCREAM of a 9/0 filled the air! Holy Crap was it running!
Those 9/0 have no gear ratio, but I definitely had him hooked and on the heavy stuff. The baitomatic at 11 mph did the trick. The fish was so fast, I was fighting it in one direction and thought I saw more fish jumping 90 degrees from my line when I realized it was my fish! I get it 30 feet from the boat and it looks to be 7' Wahoo! It looked like a log in the water, but I never realized how lit up they get! Holy crap was it beautiful! Gaff ready... check! It takes a last minute blast and.... and.... I'm going to puke.....
350 lb steel leader snipped. I could puke just typing this...
In hind sight, all the "Wahoo Experts" came out of the wood works to tell me what I did wrong and what kind of wire to use, but I figured a pre-rigged lure that says "For Wahoo and Mako" would have had the correct leader on it.
Oh well, I'm sick to my stomach as I burned $80 in gas and $55 in a single lure. Unfortunately, they seem to be moving out of the area from all the radio chatter, but I had one and had my shot... Oh well, this seems like "Year of the Farmer" for me. I lost way too many nice fish this year and probably need some equipment upgrades.
I had the GoPro ready, but in the firedrill, never had a chance to hit the button. That was just insult to injury....
Oh well, gotta move on and get the next beast!
