Congrats!!! Still hunting for my first one! And the food looks delicious! Save me a plate.

that's awesome.

That is a perfect use of a renewable resource. Good for you Dave!:cheers1:

Well done and a nice fish. Gotta love the iron. Spectra with the
Short top shot takes a bit of time to get used to. Like others said
A softer rod and lighter drag can help absorb shock. On the other hand
Using a bigger hook and trying to pull their faces off has its advantages.
You mentioned that you were on the fish for an hour. Every second you're
Hooked up the hook is wearing a bigger hole in the fish's mouth, line is
Stressing, dogs are watching, you mite be getting tire. Its a ballance between
Caution and agression. Mike

Thanks Mike, I guess I need to keep workin at it and I'll find that balance. I was too wiped out at the end of that fight to really horse that fish up though. I guess he beat me.

:drool5::drool5::drool5::drool5::drool5::drool5::d rool5::drool5::drool5:

Man that looks good :cheers1:

That plate got my mouth dribbling! Congrats on a beauty!

It is information like this that new guys "like me" don't really think about until it is taught by the more experienced anglers. I have fished for years on the cattle boats and some 2 and 3 day boats down into Mexico, but I have always been rigged heavy so I pretty much just drag the pig up. The information I am getting from this site is PRICELESS!
That pic of the Hamachi has got me hungry!:drool5: