Here's one of few Mahi 's caught the other day on my Oasis. In the middle of the Pacific within the island chain of Hawaii, the weather can be unpredictable. Let's just say that the weatherman and those that do the forecast isn't right all the time. With that said, a NE wind was not close to what it was. It blew south as ST all day. Still, we manage to get into some action.
In the past couple weeks, hurricane Iselle and Julio definitely did their part to bring up fish spreading an enormous amount of debris. From logs to whole trees without leafs up and down the current line. Seeing this, I know one area between Maui and Molokini where it all collects and goes in a circle. Sure enough, there was more wood out there to build a 3 bedroom two story house. The ok nly problem was with all the Pelagics and other predators that search for floaters made bait fish incredibly timid. I usually make bait in 15 minutes max with 10-12 in my tube and 2 already on the lines before heading out but after spending over an hour just to catch 3 Opelus, I decided that we have enough to get out to the bait ball at 185'-205' that's always there. Well, once again, with the forecast being wrong, the current normally runs in the same direction as the wind and that changes the whole dynamics of where the bait will be and where there's bait fish, there's Pelagics. Wrong. No where to be found and stuck with the 3 we had. So, being prepared and making each one count was important.
Soon as we got to the l Ile of logs, my Penn 40 SquallLD bait runner goes singing. By the sound of the ratchet, I new it was a mahi. An unsteady pull with pauses. The pause is after a Mahi takes the bait, they run away from the others and when it's clear, the flip it into position so that they can eat the fish head first. Great knowledge to know so positioning of where to n put the hook is easier to decide. That day, it was a single owner #5 offset circle was the choice and it went through the nostrils of the Opelu. *Home Tools: Small Drill Press
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZTTT! Fish had the bait and after giving it a few seconds, I waited after the pause to push the lever drag up on its second run unknowingly the Opelu had jewelry and nose piercings already. It came towards the kayak with outstanding aerial acrobatic after feeling tension. I knew it was descent at 15+# after feeling it's Mana (power) 15-20 minute was in store for me.
Step by step, narrated how the Mahis battle and what to do when they do it. A green fish, doesn't get closer than 10 yards whit a double hook rig. Limited space +flopping hooked fish equally a bad accident waiting to happen.
Back and forth with bursts of energy stronger than the last, it is imperative to meet the bend on the BlueWater Jigging Rod. At last, a circle mo ty ion coming back up from its dive was the tell tale sign of it being manageable. A quick gaff hook and it was in my lap.
So, a few tips to learn from th his experience.
1) all safety back up such as life jackets, and loud plastic whistles.
2) never trust the forecast and weatherman
3).keep the bend of the pole tk ensure that you have tension on the fish.
* best marine battery
Capt Jon Jon,.
In the past couple weeks, hurricane Iselle and Julio definitely did their part to bring up fish spreading an enormous amount of debris. From logs to whole trees without leafs up and down the current line. Seeing this, I know one area between Maui and Molokini where it all collects and goes in a circle. Sure enough, there was more wood out there to build a 3 bedroom two story house. The ok nly problem was with all the Pelagics and other predators that search for floaters made bait fish incredibly timid. I usually make bait in 15 minutes max with 10-12 in my tube and 2 already on the lines before heading out but after spending over an hour just to catch 3 Opelus, I decided that we have enough to get out to the bait ball at 185'-205' that's always there. Well, once again, with the forecast being wrong, the current normally runs in the same direction as the wind and that changes the whole dynamics of where the bait will be and where there's bait fish, there's Pelagics. Wrong. No where to be found and stuck with the 3 we had. So, being prepared and making each one count was important.
Soon as we got to the l Ile of logs, my Penn 40 SquallLD bait runner goes singing. By the sound of the ratchet, I new it was a mahi. An unsteady pull with pauses. The pause is after a Mahi takes the bait, they run away from the others and when it's clear, the flip it into position so that they can eat the fish head first. Great knowledge to know so positioning of where to n put the hook is easier to decide. That day, it was a single owner #5 offset circle was the choice and it went through the nostrils of the Opelu. *Home Tools: Small Drill Press
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZTTT! Fish had the bait and after giving it a few seconds, I waited after the pause to push the lever drag up on its second run unknowingly the Opelu had jewelry and nose piercings already. It came towards the kayak with outstanding aerial acrobatic after feeling tension. I knew it was descent at 15+# after feeling it's Mana (power) 15-20 minute was in store for me.
Step by step, narrated how the Mahis battle and what to do when they do it. A green fish, doesn't get closer than 10 yards whit a double hook rig. Limited space +flopping hooked fish equally a bad accident waiting to happen.
Back and forth with bursts of energy stronger than the last, it is imperative to meet the bend on the BlueWater Jigging Rod. At last, a circle mo ty ion coming back up from its dive was the tell tale sign of it being manageable. A quick gaff hook and it was in my lap.
So, a few tips to learn from th his experience.
1) all safety back up such as life jackets, and loud plastic whistles.
2) never trust the forecast and weatherman
3).keep the bend of the pole tk ensure that you have tension on the fish.
* best marine battery
Capt Jon Jon,.