The one that got away, but...

[Craig H]

... I got to see it!

Yesterday afternoon after much persuasion from Mitch to "go and buy these lures man, I'm telling ya, they're the DohDohDohDoh!" ... I outlayed a few dollars on some new lures and appropriate jigheads.

After a few quiet beers at a mate's house last night, I decided to venture out at about 11pm and give these lures a go on the late incoming tide. At my destination, I got talking to one Asian fellow about what we do (you know, the usual Bream/lures spiel). I then proceeded to drop 7 fish in about 15 minutes whilst talking to him. Wasn't concentrating much, and I think this guy was a little dubious about my 'missed fish'.

Anyways, as it happens we start talking about Mulloway as I spotted a couple chasing baitfish from our elevated position... hiding in the shadows, then darting out onto the flats looking for a feed. I pointed them out to the said Asian fellow whose jaw dropped immediately. Obviously I cast my lure around the area, and about third or fourth cast *BAM*!!$@# - I was on one! Both our eyes lit up and my heart started pounding as this beast took its first of 5 searing runs.

It pulled about 30 metres of line before I could tighten my drag. I managed to slow him down, then get some line back on him ... pump and wind, pump and wind. Mad, got him within about 20m. bzzzzztttttt..... off he goes again. Doh! Again I manage to get the better of him for a short while and he's within reach. bzzzzztttttt....., a third run! This one made me piss. My wrist was so sore, my drag was howling, and the Heartland Z was fully loaded. I honestly thought he was going to spool me this time, just kept going like Phar Lap of the water. (I'm using a tiny Daiwa Laguna 1000 with only about 70-80m of line on it).

After this huge run, he seemed to tire and I really started to get excited. Pump and wind, pump and wind 'til I got the sucker out of the darkness and onto the flats that were lit... oh.my.god ... I sh!t you not, this thing was well over a metre in length. Given the amount of 40cm+ Bream that were spotted cruising around (Mitch can vouch for them), this thing would have had to have been at least 1.2 metres. It was 3-4 times the size/length of everything else cruising around. After reading Sam's thread, I'm confused as to what weight this Mulloway would have gone, as I've never visually hooked/landed one.

After myself and new friend "Kheo" got a glimpse of this fish, he turned his head and powered off for a fourth run. Was only short, and managed to get him back onto the flat for another look at him, and maybe land it? That would have been a really hard task given the position we were in. Alas, he poked his head into the light of the flats, turned around, flipped me the pectoral bird, said "f#ck you Rex Hunt" ... and took off like a bull after being molested by a cattle prod. Easily 30-40m peeled from the 'lil Laguna as it howled. I couldn't turn the drag anymore without locking it up, and I didn't want to risk snapping the 'Z' so I just let him run. Eventually my line just went *ping* and after winding it in, it seems that the knot at the jighead ended up pulling itself out under all this weight/pressure.

Obviously no photo, didn't 'land' the beast... meh, who cares. The buzz I had after fighting this thing for 10 minutes was unreal. I called Mitch on the mobile in my excitement and told him about the action. It seems that I interrupted my young friend during a time of immense pleasure with some young, hot hound-dog hahaha, sorry buddy. Mitch decided that Fishing was the way to go "afterwards" so he came down and busted out a few lures with me.

Sorry about the trouty-length post, but to flog a recent catch-phrase of "Big Kevs" - I'm excited! ... or was

Craig H

[MATTY]

2 good stories in one day
at least you got to see yours,doesn't hurt as much if you got a peek before busting off.
so i guess its the start of mullie season then.
big fishy though,got to wonder what size sam's fish was.

wow
excellent braggin
that's the fourth mulloway hookup I've heard in a week and two from the same area.
Mean while I went to the 'Squidgy Party' hosted by Starlo and Bushy at Bluewater and they were telling us big squdgies have been catching plenty of mulloways over east. Like 10-15 cm shads. Bushy's been using 10kg line on 4000 size reels to get them.
hehehe I reckon this summer will see more ppl targeting mulloway with softies than be4. I know I'll be one of them.
hmm.... I think I might another combo to the christmas wish list.

[chris_lemess]

Are the lures what I think they are?

Lotsa mullas around at the moment hey. Evan lost another one today we think.

by the way craig, wat lures were U using that came highly recommended??
is it those stinking Berkley Powergrubs??

[Keeno]

pretty unlucky Craig
good fun all the same i would imagine

but by the sounds of the size of this thing im surpised he didnt smoke you in one foul swoop

[Keeno]

Another thing

if anyone does happen to be lucky enough to catch a fairly decent mulloway on their light bream gear there normally pretty much knackered and can give up the ghost.

If u wanna release it make sure ure quick with all the photos and stuff and massage its stomach for awhile and swim it in the water
hate to see a big croaker go to waste!

cheers

[mark savage]

I definately now know what i'm doing this comming week .
I'd call your fish for round 15kg, by your estimated length Craig - i've nailed several of that size in the past.

[Mitch]

Yeah mate, it was well worth the call at 1am to come look at a bloody fish haha. At least I did actually get to see one of the beasts cruising though..crazy stuff.