I think I would sit there and stare at it for a while thinking how cool it is, then sh!t myself as I came to the realization that 4 feet of death was that close to me.

Nice report and awesome picture. Thanks for sharing.

HAHA. 4ft of death?

cool to see a pup Mako caught. you can easily grab them by the tail and cradle the pecs to hold them with no issues. especially at that size. a 7-8fter would be a different story.

Mako, all the way. Even with almost 10 years experience, it's going to be a long distance release. They've screwed people up, even on boats, way too dangerous and ballistic. We've hooked a few, released (hard yank) at about 10' away, or more. I had the experience which someone noted. He/she was a big one, too, even though I didn't see it. By far, the hardest and fastest tow I'd ever had on the 'yak, then it came at me, I reeled like crazy, and when I caught up, it turned away, which is when the line snapped. Kind of glad, as I didn't not want to see that one close up. He/she was so fresh, just envisioning it jumping into the 'yak gives me the chills.

Fish on! Wait, I think I lost it. Oh s#!t

Makos and kayaks can be a recipe for disaster. Personally I thumb the spool and try to break them off ASAP. Sure are fun to see though, especially when they go airborne.

Sweet pic! Nice job on the release.

What an experience nice photo OP

fishing La Jolla 8-12-13
 

After reading all the replies it makes me appreciate the experience even more. It sure was a beautiful creature to see up close a not get hurt. To think I had my hand, trying to get a hold of the line in the attempt to be able to cut it, only two feet away from it. We both got souvenirs he got my hook and I got great pictures and a new appreciation for sharks. Great day.

Can we all just agree that MakoBob has the best Avitar on this site?

I'll second dmrides. Setting the hook, then slack, then looking over and seeing a mako drive by with your line trailing out it's mouth is a bit intimidating. I've found threshers to be more powerful sharks that fight much longer. You gotta be careful of the tail but their mouth and teeth are not a big deal. Those damn puppy makos tend to come straight to the boat, totally green. It's always in my head that one little tail kick could put the thing right in my lap, or face. Since mako's teeth stick out the sides of their mouths they wouldn't even have to actually bite you to tear you up. Big fan of the long range release. Mike

Nice catch and even better on the release. Yet to catch one and will not target them as a species, although if on a boat would be all over it....only if the right size. Enjoy the memory and again well released!!!

Nice Shark!

What an awesome experience and nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

:iagree: why kill them? Like a lot of people do.

Beautiful pup Mako. Not exactly the 11 ft long, 8foot, 1300lb one that was caught off of HB in June of this year.

I would be paddling like Benny Hill if I ever hooked one that big on my yak.

LOL!!!

Another safety thing I'd like to add here is, when reeling in your flylined bait, or Rapala, reel to the side not straight at you. Fourty plus years fishing so cal. I've seen a few times mako's chasing the bait/lure in and jump out hitting our skiff. If your in a yak they will be in your lap than. And, you don't want that.

Fishing La Jolla 8-12-13
 

Great tip I thought about that when it was two feet from the side of my kayak.

:eek:

ok.. so on the topic.. any general advice or steps on what to do if you hook such a shark? If I did, likely I'd opt to release it anyways.. but if I didn't or was feeling up for the adventure, how do you go about fighting this kind of fish? Lighten the drags and go for the sleigh ride until they tire out? or button down and wrestle them in? rope around the tail? slash the gills and bleed 'em? shoot 'em?

thanks.. :farmer:

ps... awesome post, great pics!! congrats!! talk about an adrenaline rush!

IF, and only if you are going to eat him. Loose drag, make sure he is dead tired before you tail and bleed him. Head needs to be removed BEFORE you boat him. DEAD or not remove his head first. Friend lost big toe to 2 hour dead? mako that weighed 40 lbs. That fish was dead, just sliding around on back deck! Great steaks on the barbie.

I guess thats why mako sharks are also known as bonito sharks.