Pensacola Fishing Forum / General Chit Chat / General Discussion / Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at? / Latest Posts

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:10:53 GMT

[quote][b]Chris Phillips (7/7/2008)[/b][hr]I’ve chased around the pointy nose fish a time or two and it’s not too bad, but I’ll leave them for you marlin heads...

My biggest thrill is definitely after the chase on the ride back to the scales of a redfish tournament. There is no better feeling in fishing than to look into the release well and see two (not one Chad) big fat and happy redfish swimming around in blue rejuvenated ice cold water. The ones that have scales the size of quarters and shoulders like an NFL linebacker. Now that’s not saying that there aren’t some scary moments on these rides crossing Boca Grande Pass, St. Johns River (on an opposite wind and current), or a Texas Bay. It’s very interesting how redfish can sit still when your running no matter how rough it is. Sure getting to see them tail or push water with their backs is ok too, but nothing like already having them in your possession. I swear the more weight we have in there the more times I turn around and open the lid and the more times Matt asks me are they ok or stairs at me until I make some sort of facial expression! Plus at the end of the day their released to live another day...

The bad days are when the well plug comes out and you look in there and see two fish flopping around with no water. That will never happen with the big ones in there though, I look way to often. Earlier this year I rode 80 miles with my hand in the well trying to keep one alive![/quote]

That's something I have never thought about, but it makes complete sense. I bet that is quite a thrill.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Freespool — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:25:57 GMT

it may not be part of the chase, but the biggest thrill to me is flopping that big girl on the dock in a tournament.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Chris Phillips — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:12:07 GMT

I’ve chased around the pointy nose fish a time or two and it’s not too bad, but I’ll leave them for you marlin heads...

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:29:23 GMT

[quote][b]David Ridenour (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]Curtis, many of these guys use the bait and switch method besides just trolling lures. Freespooling and hand feeding a big lit up girl and counting to the magic number before easing the drag forward obviously takes some skill. Keep in mind there may be 15 boats out there within sight working the same general area. What does one crew do to hook up that the others didn't? Not many of the bluewater guys just drag lures around blindly. [/quote]

David, you make it sound a lot more thrilling than just dragging bait and waiting for a take. I have bait and switched Sails in South America with fly and it is a blast.

I hope I didn't get any feathers ruffled, and thanks for the lesson.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

David Ridenour — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:19:06 GMT

Curtis, many of these guys use the bait and switch method besides just trolling lures. Freespooling and hand feeding a big lit up girl and counting to the magic number before easing the drag forward obviously takes some skill. Keep in mind there may be 15 boats out there within sight working the same general area. What does one crew do to hook up that the others didn't? Not many of the bluewater guys just drag lures around blindly. Fuel and the logistics of an offshore trip have turned it into a pseudoscience.Sure there is some if not a lot of luck involved,but there is also hours and hours of preparation from basic boat maintenence to respooling the reels before a trip.I think the original topic was about the "chase". For me, though I'm not after marlin, it's the entire package. Starting with reading all I can absorb here and other sites as well as hundreds of magazines over the years.

The chase is not being able to sleep the night before after staying up too late checking gear or rigging that last special lure that came late by FedEx. Scanning the charts and satelillite data and trying to figure out where that cobalt blue water,rips,temp breaks etc. will be has to be as critical as where to enter the flat from the beach.

Finally, in the glow of depth sounders,gps monitors,radar screens,vhf and assorted panel lights, cranking those diesels up to break the pre dawn silence and smelling that all too familar smell increases the anticipation of possibly a grander out there waiting. Smelling that salty air as the last lines are cast and stowed,looking back on terra firma through the glints of the rod guides and multi colored line as the boat eases out of it's slip with a puff of smoke.Man that has to be a rush and a half! I just wish I was there instead of here at work behind this computer.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:33:50 GMT

I gotta go with Blue Marlin here. I have gone from cat napping on the couch to hitting the deck wide open in about 3 seconds. A big girl tearing off line at astronomical speed and the clicker screaming. The crew hits the deck clearing lines, teasers, getting rods clear, getting the camera going, plus several other things. Glove up and get ready to tag. That is, if Hal can hold the fish close enough.....

_________________________________________________

How much chase is there in a fish that you can catch while cat napping? I'm not downing trolling or trolling for Blue Marlin, but for real, how much does it take to spot to spot troll hoping for a bite, without working a bait/lure, but dragging a bait/lure? I have trolled many trips, not for billfish, but trolled and caught fish. I don't see the thrill of chase in hoping for a bite? Really how great can the "thrill of chase" be if it starts with I was sleeping and the clicker went off?

Please don't misunderstand my thoughts. The most excited I have ever been while fishing is watching a fish and trying to fool it into taking my offering. I do not see the same "thrill' in hoping for a bite. I am sure there is an incredible rush to seeing a huge marlin/billfish hooked but what is the thrill in it being hooked by a trolled bait rod in holder, and angler reacting to bite instead of creating bite?

I am sure I will be hated for my opinion, and I mean not to attact or offend anyone, just someone please educate me.......

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

JoshH — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:19:16 GMT

I forgot to add, catching a 500+ pound fish on 50 or 80 class tackle is amazing to me.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

JoshH — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:18:19 GMT

Matt, I have never caught a blue marlin and probably never will, but have you seen how big they are? The size, strength, and athleticism are probably the main things that make bluewater guys do it.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

SHUT UP AND FISH — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:43:11 GMT

Tailing redfish or sight fishing them from a ladder

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Matt Mcleod — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:04:05 GMT

Now I didn't say that it doesn't take skill and/or talent to catch a blue marlin because it does. I just said it doesn't interest me. I'm not trying to down bill fishing, I have friends that do it and love it for some reason, I just don't see the romance in catching one of the big blue dummies.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:48:59 GMT

[quote][b]Matt Mcleod (7/5/2008)[/b][hr]

I never really got the whole Marlin fishing/offshore trolling thing. I've done some, seen blues/whites caught, but never really got into it. The first thought that entered my head the first time I saw a bill in the spread was “that must be the stupidest fish I’ve ever laid eyes on". I mean he's chasing a big hunk of black and purple plastic at 6 kts. What exactly are you tricking them into believing it is? A pinfish has more sense than that.

And all you marlin heads don’t get all mad, you like it and that’s great doesn’t matter what I think. I like sword fishing, tuna fishing with live bait/chunking, I think I just don’t like trolling. Maybe I’m just weird, everybody else likes it because of the lures, I don’t like it cause of the lures. [/quote]

I understand completely.

I have never trolled for Marlin, but it would seem much like Catfishing on the bottom with some form of bait, except the bait is moving. I don't know much about trolling for Marlin, but how much Man (Angler) to fish does it take to fool one? The right place at the right time I grant, but how much after that? The guys on the pier stalk a fish and it requires a great deal of experience, talent, game, knowledge and some hand to hand combat before the bite with each individaul fish and each is different. Unless something is different than I see, the right place at the right time will draw a Marlin bite, kinda like bottom fishing for catfish, except the bait is moving instead of dead on the bottom. Where does the thrill of chase come into it? Sure they are huge, fast and highly prized, but how much thrill is there in it that I don't understand?

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Matt Mcleod — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:20:39 GMT

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:56:18 GMT

[quote][b]true-king (7/5/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]Garbo (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]

I have never done the Marlin thing, but based on what I have seen (TV), I have to agree with you Hal. I would see the most fulfilling positions on the team to be Wireman and Driver. I also see where they make a huge difference, as the cranker is just hired labor if the Driver and Wireman do their part. The funny thing to me is the number of people that have sat in that chair and for years bragged about the fish they landed when it was really the Driver and Wireman, that did the deal. All the Cranker did was work, the real talent was in the other two. Glad you replied Hal. [/quote]

That's why I really want to get out there on the boat and get a bill by ourselves. I got to do the "hired labor" of cranking in a blue, but it wasn't really me that caught the fish. The captain and the deckhand had the experience.

The real fulfillment will come when we get one on our own. :toast[/quote]

I feel the same way. I see these pictures of boxes of fish that were caught on a charter and I wouldn't feel the rush. The guy driving the boat did everything but crank, what is to be proud of? I think the thrill of chase is the best part, and if someone else does it for me, I would not enjoy the event nearly as much.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

true-king — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:27:59 GMT

[quote][b]Garbo (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]

The real fulfillment will come when we get one on our own. :toast

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

fishitall — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:23:37 GMT

Wow, there is some serious passion on here. You blue water guys are intense, I could feel it through the computer. How could anyone not one to go fishing all the time? The big thrill for me lately has been sharks, but I've been amped about many species at one time or another.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

true-king — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:20:34 GMT

I'll also have to say the attack. Whether it's a fish blowing up on a topwater, a jack nailing a vertical jig on a retrieve, seeing a fish fired up on a lure and watching him take it in, it's all awesome!

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:49:44 GMT

[quote][b]FelixH (10/22/2007)[/b][hr][quote][b]Garbo (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]

Maybe this is a better way to ask the question, What part of fishing is the most thrilling? [/quote]

Rolling backwards, then kicking to descend as fast as your ears can handle... when the reef comes into view through the murk and you see a hoss waiting to get shot, your heart starts pounding.

And if you don't make a kill shot, you have to fight... down there, in their element.

Ok, so it's not exactly "fishing" but I love it enough that I haven't used any of my rods/reels for a couple of years now.[/quote]

I have not spearfished a day in my life, but I would have to think this takes you there. Cool Post.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

konz — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:52:59 GMT

Cool question Garbo, I gotta say that my fav. part of fishing out on that little t-pier is how all of us regulars help each other out. When we are out there and that drag starts to scream we all jump into action. Somebody is clearing lines, the other is grabbing the spot light, and yet another is getting the pier net/gaff ready. I've been known to climb down on some jetties and grab a leader with an upset bull shark on the other end just 5 feet away just to make sure somebodies gets their catch up on the wood. It's truly a great feeling when you are looking at that big beast on the planks and at all the friends that helped you get it there!

I think I surprise people sometimes b/c even if I don't know you, and you hook a big fish, I'm doing all the above. Clearing lines, and getting that net ready!

Tight lines!

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

The Blue Hoo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:18:59 GMT

[quote][b]401 Cay (10/24/2007)[/b][hr][quote][b]The Blue Hoo (10/24/2007)[/b][hr][quote][b]401 Cay (10/23/2007)[/b][hr]Sipping on cold beers, [/quote]

Big difference between drunk and drinking, and I think if you are WORKING a charter you should not touch a beer.. that includes the whole crew. Fishing on my time and my dime.. I will take my chances at the rail after a few coldies..[/quote]

I work private boats, and an occasional charter. Even if we're just taking out my boss's family, I don't bend my own rules-no drinking for me while fishing. Like I said, I have nothing against people who do, hell I might be 3 sheets to the wind once we get back to the dock, but as long as we're offshore, I'm DD (designated deckhand) haha.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:09:26 GMT

[quote][b]David Ridenour (10/24/2007)[/b][hr][quote][b]401 Cay (10/23/2007)[/b][hr]I like those perfect days.. good seas, spread running good.. and the overall thrill of "any minute now". Sipping on cold beers, listening to music, bullshitting and above all the sound of drag ripping off at an alarming rate. Then theres that beautiful blue water.. you know the kind you comment on every 10 minutes or so as to how blue it exactly is.. even if you've seen it a thousand times before. The fish are a bonus.. the thrill is being out there.[/quote]

My entire life is a chase. More aptly I would call it a quest. I absorb fishing magazines and read this and other forums as often as I can. I enjoy rigging my own lures, taking my reels apart and cleaning them in anticipation of my next trip.401 cay couldn't have expressed my sentiments better. I record cds when planning a trip from floating the boat off the trailer to returning through the pass or inlet at sunset or just after dark. I'm lucky if If I can get my boat,motor,trailer and a crew ready for a trip once a year to make the trip down and even luckier if I have a weather window and relatively calm seas while I'm there. For me being on the sea in my own boat is a feeling I have difficulty putting into words.It goes back to my first saltwater trip with my father.There have been several times tears have blown along my cheeks as I cleared a pass or inlet at sunrise and it wasn't from the salt or the wind.The sound of a screaming drag followed by the organized chaos that ensues is just one of the many reasons I continue the chase.Here I assuage my obsession with an occasional freshwater striper trip but they are just teasers till the next adventure on the sea..........[/quote]

David, Don't ever say you can't put it into words again, or I hope you don't get any better at it. Great Post.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

David Ridenour — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:03:05 GMT

[quote][b]401 Cay (10/23/2007)[/b][hr]I like those perfect days.. good seas, spread running good.. and the overall thrill of "any minute now". Sipping on cold beers, listening to music, bullshitting and above all the sound of drag ripping off at an alarming rate. Then theres that beautiful blue water.. you know the kind you comment on every 10 minutes or so as to how blue it exactly is.. even if you've seen it a thousand times before. The fish are a bonus.. the thrill is being out there.[/quote]

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

401 Cay — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:30:23 GMT

[quote][b]The Blue Hoo (10/24/2007)[/b][hr][quote][b]401 Cay (10/23/2007)[/b][hr]Sipping on cold beers, [/quote]

Not me. I don't have anything against people who drink (hell I love to), but not when I'm workin the deck. You don't wanna be drunk when you have angry blue marlin or tuna at the wire. The day any of yall see me drinkin while workin a charter is the day I personally take the entire forum marlin fishing. I'm all business as soon as we leave the dock.[/quote]

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Barnacle Brain — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:08:02 GMT

Captain Moore Better is thinking along my lines, I like to throw topwaters, skip them under the mangoves and walk em frantically when I see that wake show up behind them like something from a JAWS scene. When that snook hits it's as if he is truly pissed at that dog and attacks with extreme prejudice. Man what memories.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

The Blue Hoo — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:04:31 GMT

[quote][b]401 Cay (10/23/2007)[/b][hr]Sipping on cold beers, [/quote]

Not me. I don't have anything against people who drink (hell I love to), but not when I'm workin the deck. You don't wanna be drunk when you have angry blue marlin or tuna at the wire. The day any of yall see me drinkin while workin a charter is the day I personally take the entire forum marlin fishing. I'm all business as soon as we leave the dock.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

401 Cay — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:51:31 GMT

I like those perfect days.. good seas, spread running good.. and the overall thrill of "any minute now". Sipping on cold beers, listening to music, bullshitting and above all the sound of drag ripping off at an alarming rate. Then theres that beautiful blue water.. you know the kind you comment on every 10 minutes or so as to how blue it exactly is.. even if you've seen it a thousand times before. The fish are a bonus.. the thrill is being out there.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

The Blue Hoo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:51:40 GMT

oh im not bashin the angler by any means. but i just like not being physically wasted after we boat a good fish. hell we lost a nice charlie the other day at the wire when i dumped the leader and the angler hadn't backed off the drag

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

reefdonkey — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:15:06 GMT

Firstlight, tossing a skitterwalk in 12" of water, walkin the dog and having a big redfish come out of the water and crash it from behind. Also, jiggin for amberjack and getting freighttrained...feel the burn.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

BLKFLYZ — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:01:59 GMT

Definatley agree!! The angler must know how to fight a fish and and have a will to win the battle! Its a 100% team effort when dealing with marlin. It does become personal once you get that 1st wrap on the leader but the angler must be prepared in case you have to let her go and also the Capt must be on his toes when bringing the big girl up! A good team like a well oiled machine!

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Water Hazard — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:58:03 GMT

[quote][b]The Blue Hoo (10/22/2007)[/b][hr] any serious boat owner knows the value of a good crew.
[/quote]

And any good crew knows the value of a good angler on the reel.....FYI...I hate the reel...would much rather be on the wire or tag/gaff...:letsdrink

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Downtime2 — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:46:08 GMT

[quote][b]The Blue Hoo (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]haha the crankers are the ones that actually have to pay to fish!! haha idiots!! and they get wore out. i however, get paid TO fish!! haha not a REAL job of course, but not bad $$ for a college student on his 2nd chance at life. any serious boat owner knows the value of a good crew.[/quote]

I agree with the part about the owner knowing the value of a good crew. I partially dissagree with the cranker part. On a charter, yes, I agree. On an effective team, The guy on the rod can shorten the fight tremendously. Particulary when backing down on a fish running the surface. A fight can be ended much faster if the guy on the rod knows what has to be done also. Also when the fish is next to the boat, not having to mess with the drag, he/she should know that also...

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

The Blue Hoo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:34:43 GMT

haha the crankers are the ones that actually have to pay to fish!! haha idiots!! and they get wore out. i however, get paid TO fish!! haha not a REAL job of course, but not bad $$ for a college student on his 2nd chance at life. any serious boat owner knows the value of a good crew.

Curtis-when you come to hunt, I'll teach you to mate. Haha boy that one can go about 9 different ways, huh? haha
That way, people will be BEGGING YOU to come marlin fish next summer come tournament time!!

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

John B. — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:10:36 GMT

the attack is best, whether it's a tuna blowing up on a popper, a marlin in a trolling spread, or some green meat on the pier, skying on cigs.

the rest is just work:hotsun... the attack is the best thing ever.:bowdown

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Freespool — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:06:05 GMT

I love pretty much all types of fishing. Cobia fishing is my favorite. Spotting the fish then getting him to eat and the best part jacking his @$$. But Billfishing is almost as good. Watching a big girl pile on a lure 15ft behind the boat is awesome, or having a fish come up on a teaser then pitching it a bait and watching him eat, freespool, then set the hook is unbeleivable. But I also love dropping down a BIG bait on a spot and getting hammered by a big grouper. fly fishing for tuna and dolphin is also incredible. I love it all, but live for those days where you just straight up mash em.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

tunapopper — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:54:24 GMT

I have to agree that wiring, rigging baits and setting the spread is the most fun. Don't get me wrong I still love to reel the fish in but it just isn't as much fun to me. I think it is important for every member of the team to spend some time on the wire or rigging baits that way when the time comes, no matter who is fighting the fish, billing it or gaffing it, every one knows what they need to do to make it that much smoother. I still love inshore fishing and would love to go trout fishing right now but nothing comes close to the rush of blue water big game fishing.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:27:53 GMT

[quote][b]Xanadu (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]Another good post Garbo. Good question.

I am the wireman for a reason. It's the most fun for me, but when I was a lot younger I liked being the cranker. But cranking is a younger person's thrill or one for guests. Being on deck is the best and when its time to grab the leader you can't be tentative or afraid or you will get hurt. And this is where the team game changes into an individual pursuit. Each part of the team is made up of individual parts who each have to function independently in order for the team to be successful.

That said, wiring a big blue is not something you get to do every trip. Sometimes they're small and other times you don't get the shot. So for the rest of the time, the thrill is in rigging the lures/baits. I love watching baits run in the spread. I like knowing which ones to pull at certain times and in certain conditions. Better yet, is understanding what each lure "should" do and how to tune the hookset, skirt or rigging to get the most fish attracting action. I have literally spent a thousand hours watching lures and then tinkering with each component to get what I want out of the lure. Once you've got one just right, its time to check the next and sharing those patterns and thoughts isn't bad either.[/quote]

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Garbo — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:46:43 GMT

[quote][b]Downtime2 (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]Bluewater fishing holds the biggest thrill to me. Being part of a team effort is the shits. Anything from sitting down and discussing where we gonna be at in the morning before we leave or making a 50 mile adjustment after the first day. *sniff, sniff* Ya'll know what I mean. We make all of our decisions as a team, where to go, target species, tackle, who's wiring, gaffing, driving, reeling, filming, handing out emergency beer...etc. I love all of it, driving, wiring and gaffing being my favorites. (I do get somewhat aroused by gaffing, I have to admit) It's all good. Leaving at dark, being 80 or more miles offshore at first light and finding a good bite right off the bat, yeah...that's good too. I could go on and on......[/quote]

Somebody, is gonna have to show me this. I promise to carry my weight.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Capt. Moore Better — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:31:00 GMT

Chucking a $14 Popping plug about 6' back into the Mangroves to have it inhaled Just Before it hits the water by a forty inch plus snook that shoots straight out of the mangroves and into open water so you can have a good clean fight, only to cut the line with the trolling motor five minutes into the battle, then snook jumps and shakes its head to return my $14 plug, And I yell to my then napping wife "Holy Sh*t did you see that" and she said why are you making so much noise, I'm trying to nap :doh

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

FelixH — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:37:48 GMT

[quote][b]Garbo (10/22/2007)[/b][hr]

Maybe this is a better way to ask the question, What part of fishing is the most thrilling? [/quote]

Rolling backwards, then kicking to descend as fast as your ears can handle... when the reef comes into view through the murk and you see a hoss waiting to get shot, your heart starts pounding.

And if you don't make a kill shot, you have to fight... down there, in their element.

Ok, so it's not exactly "fishing" but I love it enough that I haven't used any of my rods/reels for a couple of years now.

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Downtime2 — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:55:32 GMT

Bluewater fishing holds the biggest thrill to me. Being part of a team effort is the shits. Anything from sitting down and discussing where we gonna be at in the morning before we leave or making a 50 mile adjustment after the first day. *sniff, sniff* Ya'll know what I mean. We make all of our decisions as a team, where to go, target species, tackle, who's wiring, gaffing, driving, reeling, filming, handing out emergency beer...etc. I love all of it, driving, wiring and gaffing being my favorites. (I do get somewhat aroused by gaffing, I have to admit) It's all good. Leaving at dark, being 80 or more miles offshore at first light and finding a good bite right off the bat, yeah...that's good too. I could go on and on......

RE: Where's is your Thrill of the Chase at?

Xanadu — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:35:52 GMT

Another good post Garbo. Good question.

I am the wireman for a reason. It's the most fun for me, but when I was a lot younger I liked being the cranker. But cranking is a younger person's thrill or one for guests. Being on deck is the best and when its time to grab the leader you can't be tentative or afraid or you will get hurt. And this is where the team game changes into an individual pursuit. Each part of the team is made up of individual parts who each have to function independently in order for the team to be successful.

That said, wiring a big blue is not something you get to do every trip. Sometimes they're small and other times you don't get the shot. So for the rest of the time, the thrill is in rigging the lures/baits. I love watching baits run in the spread. I like knowing which ones to pull at certain times and in certain conditions. Better yet, is understanding what each lure "should" do and how to tune the hookset, skirt or rigging to get the most fish attracting action. I have literally spent a thousand hours watching lures and then tinkering with each component to get what I want out of the lure. Once you've got one just right, its time to check the next and sharing those patterns and thoughts isn't bad either.