Joe,How has the fishing been lately for you?
What kills me is I tangle with what Ive always felt were the same big fish in one spot at the canal. Just the way they know where the big rocks and kelp strands are and how you can feel your braid rubbing as this smart cow weaves it through all sorts of obstacles. They definetly seem to have personality and I like the ones I hook and get worried immediately because I realize I have no control. I remember getting on in close definetly over 50" and all of a sudden she decided enough was enough and went on the most amazing run never to be seen again. I live for that feeling of helplessness. Hope your smashing them Joe. Ill be on the prowl tonight.
Fish don't get to be big without learning some fish tactics that allow them to shake off hooks.I can tell you that they will FIND structure, whether it be kelp, weeds, rocks, docks, piers and even sandy bottoms to do the trick.I used to target blues years ago and would get schoolies that would try to "rub out" the hook on the sandy bottom, resulting in a steel leader that looked like a piece of used pipe cleaner!You tend to learn what the fish is doing by sheer repetition and experience, usually both at the same time and both resulting in a lost fish!