What the hell was that????

I was fishing from the Bridges of Ross recently and after feathering a substantial amount amount of mackerel for the freezer I tied on a pennell rig and stuck half a mackerel on it and lobbed it out about 50metres. The bait had no sooner hit the water and the rod was nearly wrenched out of my hand. Line peeled of the reel for a few seconds then it all went slack. I reeled in and the bait and hooks were gone and the 60lb rig body looked like someone had taken an industrial sander to it. I didn't see any seals in the area. Could it have been a shark of some description. I discounted tope as it was hit very high in the water.

Any ideas

conger un uswal that the would hit it before it hit the bottom

Definately not a conger more than likely a porbeagle or blue shark the water is deep enough for them conger no way......................

Had a Tussle here years ago with a Monkfish!

I lost!

Hi Ross

Good to see you back: I'm still looking to go fishing with you some day this autumn :lol:

Chris Mc, I reckon it was a shark alright, skin can cut through heavy mono quite easily. A monkfish is also a member of the shark family and they are known to return year on year to the same spot!

Make sure to put a long (20 metre) rubbing leader on between your main line and the actual rig if you want to try for it again... people often put on a heavy rig (250 lb mono) and leave the leader at 50 lb resulting in a lost rig and fish... sharks tend to roll quite a bit when hooked or chewing on a bait - just look at how a doggie acts and multiply size by 20!!! :shock:

Good luck with it...

Thanks for the advice I have since heard that porbeagle have been hooked from here before. It might be worth a try!!! That would definately be an interesting catch from the shore.

Chris,
When I was a kid I saw the legendary Jack Shine take Porbeagle over a 100 lbs.from the Shore at Baltard( The Blue Pool). He used a big Centre Pin Reel and a long beachcaster type strong rod and lashed out a mackerel or Pollock under a balloon. The Porgie was hauled up the cliff using a gaff made of sewer rods! While mackerel fishing at the Blue Pool and also at Kilbaha we were regularly smashed by Porgies but that was long ago. I fear the Porgies are nearly extinct now but there is always a chance! Go for it!