Help, they are getting away!

So we are starting to catch fish, or at least get bites, but we’re unable to land them on the boat. One way or another they are getting away. Here is a description of the situation.

We are running two lines from the back of Itchy Foot, one each side. We don’t use rods, preferring to attach the reels directly to the strong metal tuned rails on the back of the boat. These are two trolling reels, penn and shimano with several 100 meters of 120lb braided line on each. The last 100m is 150lb multicolored braided line which is easier to handle as it is larger diameter. At the end of that main line is a suitably rated swivel with a clasp. Then I attach on lure, which usually has about 3-5m of monofilament and then a squid type lure, about 10-15cm at the end with a correctly sized hook.

Now we are in waters with fish we are getting bites, about five or six a day, often both lines at the same time. And that is the point where I need help.

The ratchet on the reel goes zeeeeeeee and I know we have a bite. The line starts to spin out at a furious rate. So I increase the tension on the ratchet to slow the rate the line goes out without stopping it completely. Itchy Foot is likely doing at least 6kn at this point and so I’ve tried slowing her down to 3-4 knots before working the reel. I’ve also tried to bring them in at 6knots which is harder work.

Next I start to increase the resistance on the reel and try to pull in the fish. At some point in the next minute or so the line goes slack and the fish has gotten away. Basically I’m getting two minutes into what should be a longer fight and losing the fish off the lure. Nothing breaks, no snapped lines, no lost lures, just no fish on the end anymore.

So, ask the audience. If anyone has ideas or researching a little for me I would be very grateful. I can not read your comments here, not on the blog nor on Facebook until we get to land, which would be a little late. However we can receive email and I’ll give the address at the bottom. Please no links, no photos, just plain text in the emails or I won’t be able to download them. Remember the speed of the internet in 1994? I wish it was that fast. Imagine 2400 baud modem, that is what I have. So text only please.

Mail tips and morale support to jonwright@myiridum.net

Any and all helpful advisors will receive an unsigned photo of us eating sushi.

Many thanks!
Jon and the hungry crew of Itchy Foot.