Almost managed to land a bonito!

[sargu xih]

Hi guys,

I wished to share this wonderful experience I had today.  As I have been doing for the past two months, this morning I went fishing for sawrell from the harbour.  I use the running float rig, hook size 6 and shrimps or tumbrell as bait.  Early in the morning I had already caught two sawrell.  However, at about 8am something exciting happened.  I was looking elsewhere when I suddenly realised the running float was nowhere to be seen.  I opened the drag and spinned in.  At first I thought it was a nice sawrella but the fish pulled the line ferociously.  The drag spinned like crazy.  After 10 - 15 mins of fight I managed to drag the fish nearer to shore.  Three other fishermen came to the rescue.  As the fish reached the shore it was clear it was a nice sized fish, and it was very strong.  It was a bonito.  The bonito was now nearer to the surface, and we tried to net the fish a couple of times.  As soon as the bonito saw the net, it just pulled the line even stronger.  I feared the line was going to break sooner or later - and I was right.   After several attempts trying to net the nice bonito, it gave a very strong jerk and managed to escape.  My adrenaline levels were sky high.  I was excited because I never caught such a fish from land but at the same disappointed I didn't manage to land it  .  And I caught a bonito using running float, size 6 hook and shrimp as bait.  Was it just luck?  Or can bonito really be caught this way?

[shanook]

hey its food and I dont think the bonito is going to be choosy about what it finds to eat. I dont think its normal but hey thats fishing. The unexpected can happen. Well done, its a shame u didnt land it, but it seemed u had fun just the same. Better luck for next time.

[bigboy]

Sargu xih in which port are you fishing if i may ask Is it the grandharbour by any chance ?

[sargu xih]

yes, its my first experience fishing in the harbour.  I usually always used to fish in open seas e.g. Cirkewwa, Zurrieq, Marsalforn and never imagined a port would be so productive.

[fabrizioviper]

even for us spearos the port sometimes can be very productive

[Granitu]

true but they are dirty too......

[Aab131]

at this time of the period the grand habour is full of Sawrell ta l-Imperjal nicely sized around 1Kg. Near pixkerija they fish it alot with tumbrell. Last year i managed to catch but this year didn't have time to go. Also last february my cousin was spinning from Kalkara from barracuda but to the surprise of everyone she caught a bonito instead. Luckily enough she managed to land it.

[ganni]

WOW you have a female cousin who goes spinning??

im glad to hear that cause i rly don't wish fishing to be just for men!!

[Diplodus Sargus]

Guys sargu xih is my fishing mate and today he was very exited with what happened to him. I think i was the first one that i knew about his adventure with this fish! I was during my usual day at work when at some time the phone rang! When i saw his name on display my first thought was that he caught something for sure (we always do like that when we catch something biggggg). When i answered he was not so happy about what happened because the fish was only inches away as he explained to me. But thats what makes fishing a challenge, thats what makes you go crazy. Dont worry my friend your time will come for sure keep trying!

[ramio]

Well done, even though you didn't manage the landing. The trill was there and at least you saw what you were fighting against.

[sargu xih]

This experience made me crazy.  I just can't stop thinking of the drag spinning, my rod bent like a hook, and the sight of the bonito getting nearer to shore... but then...  snap!!... all was lost.

Tonight I'll dream about it for sure  hehe.  My adrenaline levels are still high.  It is something I'll remember for long, until maybe I'll manage to catch another one but land it this time.

That's why fishing is one of the best hobbies on earth.

[suffrun]

That's a nice and exciting experience you had sargu xih!! The positive thing about it is that you managed to reel it in and that is an accomplishment in itself.

[Freeman]

What diametre where u fishing with ? as from my experiance the bonito is one of the "die hards" from most fish species, it'll rather die than be cought. So very well done on bringing him to shore, I would just sujjest to replace the net with a gaff if it's a fish worth keeping.

Oh and yes, running float is a method for catching bonitos, where I spin I see many ppl using running float with tumbrell or live lacci.

[Aab131]

WOW you have a female cousin who goes spinning??

im glad to hear that cause i rly don't wish fishing to be just for men!!

Yes she is the sister of my cousin. Rarely she come with us but during the summer when we go by boat she won't miss it.

[sargu xih]

What diametre where u fishing with ?

Well, I was using a 0.35mm fluorocarbon line, and it got loose from the swivel - the one I use to separate the main line with running float from the line having the ledger and hook.