Giant Trevally landed at Winkel

[Fish-Hunter]

Hi all
Saturday the 15th November I was back at Winkel scratching for a live bait,the local guys who wre lucky enough to get there early aready were sorted with bait. All of them were fishing off the beach between Winkel and Hotel rocks,live baits out and waiting for a pull.


Finally I got a live bait and headed to Winkel rock away from the crowd,the water was washing to the south so I put my sinker out directly into the direction the current was coming from. I clipped my live bait and off it went,I battled a bit to get it through the swells but finally it was out. Minutes later I felt a hard pull on my line and instantly I flicked my clutch lever to give free sool,it started taking line like a steam train. Allowing it to eat the bait first I then locked the sool up and set the hooks,GAME ON!!!!


Its first run stripped me of over 200m of my 13,6kg Kingfisher giant abrasion off my Torium 30. Now the decision was which way to take him,I went south with him towards Sharks pool. In minutes I had Bokkie at my side to assist me over the rocks while worked my way to the beach,keeping him out deep allowed my line to clear the rocks. Once I was clear of all the natural obstacles I could put more pressure on hm to get some line back,once again everyone assisted to clear the path of the fish. It was over and under the other lines in the water and it was heading to Hotel rocks,at one point I had spoons and someones sinker and bait suspended from my line. Things got a bit heated at a stage as the guy who cast over my line thought he was on with a fish,my mates took care of that for me after talking no longer helped,just cut his line.


Then the SW started howling out of no where,people running around trying to catch their belongings. Myself and the guys helping never budged,this fish was the only thing we were concerned about and we were going to land it no matter what. This was a skate,no head shakes nothing,all that was left now was how big it was. An hour into the fight and no sightings yet,as it got near the side I heard Bokkie shouting "dit is n vis,n moerse vis". I could not see it due to the way the beach is formed,I gave one last pull and then felt my line go slack. Totally physically and mentally exhausted I dropped to my knees,when I got up I first grabbed Tinka's water to quench my huge thirst.


Sharon took my rod from me and told me to go look at my fish,I could believe my eyes. It was huge,unfortunately it was motionless. It is the catch of my life and one I will never forget.


Huge thanks to all my fellow Winkel anglers,you guys are the best!!




My 40kg GT!!! Yeeeeehaaaaaa!!!

[Lichia amia]

Brilliant catch old Chap . Any Brusser/Cracker coming out at Winkel ?

[Fish-Hunter]

Check the 5/0 Kendall round

[Fish-Hunter]

Tnx All,not recently Lichia

[Harvard 16]

Thanks F-H, I've been waiting for that one, would have loved to have been there just to watch the epic battle, when I'm back in SA I always head to Winkels for a throw, so can picture your description and movements quite well.


Well done on 30lb line, at an hour battle, I can quite understand a game fish (any fish) like a GT being unrevivable. It's unfortunate but we have to accept it happens that way sometimes.

[Fish-Hunter]

Thanx Harvard,it was an awesome fight,once in a life time. Well I'm hoping not

[Fishy]

FH,


Where is this winkel/Hotel area you refer to?

[Fish-Hunter]

Winkelspruit just south of Amanzimtoti

[BJR]

Awesome fish there Fish-Hunter....................bloody nice. Congrats.

[WJ]

Monster. Well done it

[Marthin]

unbelievable catch!!!

[FishStyx]

Congrats mate. They're such strong fish. They know how to use their big slab sides as a brake. Sad that the fish didn't make it but it happens.


 

[Mike]

   nice fish its a pity it didn't make it to fight another day

[Jordz]

  Well done.

[colin]

  surprised the hook held. One more wave and it was gone.

[Allie]

  Well done.  Two exelent catches in two weeks. Have you tried playing  the lotto   Same thing happened to a friend of mine where he could not revive a 36kg kingy after an epic one hour fight.