MID COAST BAPTISM

by Kurt Edwards

The last bait was smaller than the previous two but in good health. As pink seemed the colour of the day he went wide on a one mission to “perpetrate the crime”.

A few minutes past and Shad asked for the play line so we could pack up. I conceded, the light was fading and we still had a bit to organize. I fetched the clips and Bakes set the rod up on the towel, the reel righted itself by its handle position and the tip followed the drift. Shad had just made his way up to the gear when I saw bait erupting out of the water north and just wide of the point. We stood and watched the Gar shower out of the water in waves on a collision course with our rig at the edge of the wash. With one eye on the reel and the other on the bait we looked on expectantly.

By now I could see fish breeching around the balloon and was sure the gar where trying to beach themselves on it in an attempt to stay out of the tuna’s way.

The Penn roared into life under the ratchet in a staccato run. Bakes got low on the ledge and quickly unclipped the reel. I heard the ratchet die just as he lowered the tip and engaged the drag. The pressure came on and as he lent on it I could se the angle of the line change abruptly as the fish powered wide “Fast mover” I said, “rod bucket” Shad replied. I complied and fitted the belt.

The fish was still taking line but slowing under the strike pressure. As we had discussed Shad eased the pressure slightly to let the fish burn some energy wide. We did not want a repeat performance of the previous morning’s episode.

The first run ended and the fish turned. The tip went down and the race began. As the tension came on Bakes let the rod take the load. Still connected. Then the arcing began again. We moved up and down the rock as the fish swam parallel to the ledge. Shad began to find it easier to turn his head and dictate the terms of engagement.

We got down low and I kept watch on the water. I stayed a little higher to give him room to move as the fish swam up and down the ledge. Shad called me down and I let the fish pass as I threw the hook out. I pulled the gaff back in and pinned him just below the sickle fin.

The fish came up over the ledge without incident. I took the rod and Bakes carried the fish as we got clear and moved up to higher ground. I made a deep incision on either side of the fish 75mm behind the pectoral fin and a vertical cut in front of the tail to bleed the fish. For the lack of a tuna spike I drove the knife through the fish’s skull for a clean kill. We let the fish bleed and sat down to take it in.

I took a few pictures and we finished packing up the gear. The load had to be redistributed so Shad could make room for the fish. I think the weights were fairly even as Shad had picked up another 12 kg of northern blue fin tuna. With the tail standing well proud of the pack we made our way out just as the last of the light left us.

We went out for a look the next morning but struggled to get bait. With the swell picking up and the weather taking a turn for the worse we decided to pull the pin.

After Shad’s capture the previous evening we were satisfied we had achieved what we had set out to do and I still had a couple of days to let my hands heal before I got back on the spanners. Bakes and I fish as a team so one good fish is considered a success.

For my part I was very lucky. Land Base Game fishing is an extremely dangerous sport and a lot of guys who go in don’t come back out. I have been fishing the rocks on the east coast for six years now and that was the first time I had got myself into trouble. Although the danger is part of the attraction to this sport; ignorance, complacency or over confidence can easily result in serious injury or death. You take your life into your own hands every time you step off the sand and feel the rock rise beneath your feet.