Photos to follow...just got off water. Later karl
I am still editing pix. will send more later.
The Mako weighed (according to NOAA based on total length of 1.95m) 60 kg's , it fought solid for an hour. Made 1 or 2 good jumps. and for the rest we were in awe.
Earlier the week August nailed the grandmother mako , also in accordance with NOAA and its total length est of 250cm an estimate weight of 300lbs. The video footage is remarkable. Hopefully post some on youtube.
Last edited by PezVela; 22-05-10 at 09:44 AM.
hi karl...any more info or pics on this?
stephen is wishing he was fishing location x right now.......
Stephen Smith
Well done! Makos can be a bit of a pain off the point - especially when they steal your favourite X-rap...
Looking fwd to more pics.
Just out of interest, how many mako's do you guys see realistically?
Are you actively fishing for them, or are they simply a by catch with the tuna?
Just out of curiosity, how warm is the water temperature?
One of the things I have found, the warmer the water (too a point as they generally prefer colder water) is the harder they tend to fight. Too warm, and they just aren't there. Even though they can regulate their temperature, colder water fish are pretty mellowed out.
Best temp's I have found is usually (BETTER)>18-<21C (Little high).
Although, in having said that each fish is SO different - some are simply psychotic and others just pussies.
On past boats I have fished, we used to do a lot of shark fishing, and mako's were top of the list as were BIG tigers (500kg's plus).
Different fish though - one a bulldozer the other a true game fish.
Well done on the mako mate - nice fish on fly!
I just wish I could find some that size out here - We'll hopefully find some this season.
Just for your reference, if that 1.95 meters is the correct length, your fish would be closer to 80kg's. This comes from the GFAA Gamefishing Journal weight/length chart and it is very accurate.
Prepared by Dr Julian Pepperell, one of the leading figures in fish biology. Always nicer to have a bigger fish - <grin>
IMHO, these figures have been less than 5% inaccurate in the past on the fish we have taken for competition and records.
Last edited by Kevin James; 24-05-10 at 12:29 PM. Reason: Add stuff
Don't want to speak out of turn but feel free to correct me. There are not many people targetting them here as far as I know. We usually see them after extended chumming. Blue sharks are the most common or our tuna grounds and then the makos - the temperature ranges are as you stated with 19 degs a good average cos that's simply the water tuna favour. The other time you become aware ot them is on the troll, when the ratchet goes ZZZZT! and then quiet. Pull up line and there is nothing on the other end. They seem to favour the bigger diving lures and I have heard fisherman successfully attracting them with large teasers (fender type). I think if you spend a day actively targeting them off CT, you'll most probably come right - they seem to be plentiful enough. If you guys are targeting them on fly, they are most probably chummed to the boat? I'd love to be connected to a (small) Mako, just for the ride!
ps. just looking at that pic again - I assume that is the 2m one? It looks like a young fish - what is the size of the hook used? Too small by the looks of it (damage to the fish)
Last edited by will101; 24-05-10 at 03:23 PM.
Guys
I apologize for the delay , Ive been editing the footage and my brand spanking new mecer I7 720 with 8GRAM keeps crashing while editing on Premiere ELEMENTS. Furthermore my 16mo son came down with bilateral otitis media and tonsilitis rocketing his temp to 40deg C resulting in an urgent hospital visit - costing me a flyrod or two!
Before I get the pics to you guys, herewith the answers.
No this is not a fluke , we have done this occasionally. August has taken it to high gear by targeting them off Cape Point. The last trip confirmed his pattern , technique and suspicion that one can target them. We have numerous theories about them but we are still accumulating data.
As for the hook , I speak under correction but it was a mustad 10/0 + J HOOK. We used the same size while fishing marlin and sailies in costa rica. Ironically one of the locals whom we fish with , Calin Canales a legend skipper whom helped Stu Apt and Trey Combs unlock sailies on fly propose we use nothing larger as the force and effort needed to set the hook would break tippets etc. If you have been marlin fishing you will understand what I mean ... once the fish is on the lure/bait with big hooks they generally floor the throttles to help drive the hooks in. Not possible on fly. You need a needle sharp hook to penetrate.
This mako we got lucky as it did take a swipe at the fly and swam off we think it was the half arse swipe that resulted in the hook grabbing its flesh/skin instead.
Never the less this is a huge feat for fly fishing in WC and more importantly the mako was released alive and well - without the hook. This is often not the case and in the event a mako is caught here it generally receives and untimely death or swims off with an entire rig. I think we did well.
As for the length of the fish , yes its accurate , we took a spot on measurement by using my 18w flyrod as reference , I marked it and measured with a digital measure topping out at 1952cm tail to nose.
pics to follow shortly
sorry I have none of the blues and bronzie as the mako easily stole the limelight.
Hi Karl
Give us some detail on the tackle used.
I presumed 18w from your post.
What make, reel, leader setup, etc.
Thanks
Korrie Broos
Don't go knocking on Death's door, ring the bell and run like hell. He hates it. (anon)
Nymphing, adds depth to your fly fishing.
Nymphing, is fly fishing in another dimension
guys at last , herewith the photos
k
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