What fish was it?

[Adams]

Good evening.
I took a drive to Umgeni mouth (Blue Lagoon) area this evening around 7pm.
With the outgoing tide I saw some activity on the surface along the channel about 200m from the ocean entrance.
Clearly bait fish were being sucked out and bigger fish were smashing them but I could see that this was the tail end of the action.
I quickly rigged a 5.5" kob slinky paddletail (shard flash) on a bass hook (weedless) and threw weightless but no bite.
Moving forward along the bank (towards the ocean) I changed rig  to a 4" paddletail (chatreuse) on a 3/0 wide gap hook (weedless again) with a 1.5oz barrel sinker running free before it and threw "upstream" across the channel allowing the current to bring it down whilst slowly retrieving towards me.

Close to halfway across the channel, a little past me I felt a "knock-pause-knock-knock and then whatever it was, it just took of like a torpedo.
My reel/drag screamed as it bolted  for approximately 70m-100m non stop and then suddenly it popped loosed (while he was bolting)

No line snap (although that's how it felt) and no damage at all.
It just popped loose.

Few noob questions:
1. On the first knock I wasn't sure if it was a bite or debris/weeds so I gave the rod "one deep pull" - not a hard "strike"
Then came those two more "knock-knocks"
Thereafter the run with my plastic

Can I assume that the hook was set with my initial pull due to the fact that he did not break free on on the 2 follow up knocks?
He also ran with my paddletail.

2. If hook was set then how did he break it free without any damage to lure/line?

3.  Judging from the knocking and non stop run straight into the ocean as described what fish do you think this was?
I suspect it was a Kob.

Tackle: Okuma Ceymar C-40 reel
              Okuma Ceymar 10f MH rod with Boss Whisper Braid (20lb) using Platinum Double X 0.50mm as a leader (no fluoro on hand)

[Visenvryheid]

Guessing leerie? Cobs can be powerful but not the fastest fish around. Leeries love to sit and smash bait getting washed out with the tide of a river or rip? But who knows though what swims in the waters in warm river mouths, could have been anything from a big grunter to a little kingie? Could have been a pack of something knocking you, then one grabbed you, next time reel him tight as you get taken but don't strike till he takes line, then knock him one good one to set the hook. With braid you don't have to over set the hook..and also these and most predators except the razor gang swallow a bait headfirst and will manipulate him around to face down the hatch before swallowing. It is too easy to pull the lure out the fishes mouth before it is hooked, just reel tight first, let him take line and hit him once good..you dont want to make a big hole either and pull the hook later nor give the fish a moerse skrik and have him take off and bust you up..

[Adams]

With braid you don't have to over set the hook..and also these and most predators except the razor gang swallow a bait headfirst and will manipulate him around to face down the hatch before swallowing. It is too easy to pull the lure out the fishes mouth before it is hooked, just reel tight first, let him take line and hit him once good..you dont want to make a big hole either and pull the hook later nor give the fish a moerse skrik and have him take off and bust you up..

Hi Visenvryheid
Thank you for the advice.
I guess this was a case of the hook not being set properly.
At the time my reel was screaming I was convinced that the hook must be set.
At this time(while fish is making a run) what should one do if in doubt of hook set?
Should one "hit" while he is on the run?
Edit: Reading my question I realise that it wouldn't make sense to strike while fish is running as the hook would be facing down his hatch if swallowing bait head first.

[dugong]

I would bet on a Garrick

[Visenvryheid]

If the fish is running and you are not sure the hook is set, hit him again. Your drag should not be too loose but if he runs he can take line, so you shouldn't bust off or anything once he has turned and runs he has the bait down the hatch generally or he is hooked already and got a fright and is running away and you wont pull the bait out at that stage..Why we fish a hook set back on the lure for a leerie, and why you often hook them outside the mouth is because they try grab the bait from the head, turn and swim away trying to get it down the hatch and you go tight, you must just reel him tight then that is the most important, as he takes line, bang bang, hit him not too hard and he should be vas..Fight him gentle and set him free again so the stock can recover and the fun can continue. Rinse, repeat..

[PRENO]

Hey Guys


is Blue Lagoon safe if fishing alone?

[Phish]

evening...river mouth...could have been a big springer...small bony mouths difficult to get a hook set

[Adams]

Hey Guys


is Blue Lagoon safe if fishing alone?

Depending on the time you go but yes, it is relatively safe.

I take my family there often (even on weekday evenings)

[PRENO]

Hey Guys


is Blue Lagoon safe if fishing alone?

Depending on the time you go but yes, it is relatively safe.

I take my family there often (even on weekday evenings)

thanks...I'm new to spinning and new to the Bluff, maybe of you there sometime we could meet up?

[Adams]

I'm a complete noob myself so don't have much knowlege to offer.

Take a drive to the area on Fri/Sat evening.
Park your car near the food stalls there and leave your rods/tackle in the car.
Take a walk along the estuary/Mouth/lagoon right to the front to where most of the other (bait) fisherman are.
Once you feel comfortable go grab your rods and tackle and enjoy...

[PRENO]

Lol not a problem, Thank you..

[Bigben]

Fish species....#theonethatgotaway


 

[Adams]

Fish species....#theonethatgotaway


 

 
I'm not too disappointed though.
I have just begun my journey and have been trying to glean from the wealth of info available on this forum 
A few months ago I knew nothing.
Being able to go to the water, observe and read what is happening, formulate a plan of action, decide on a change of lure, choosing a spot to cast out to and luring a bite like that is a MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT for me 
This was textbook application of what I have read/learnt here on 

The non-hookup/loss of the fish is school fees - a lesson learnt (again, learning from the replies on this thread) 

It's another step up for me.

PS.
This was my first bite on artificials.

[Bigben]

Good on you brother.
All I can add is that this rookie is also still learning the art of shore spinning.


Big ups to you. Don't let the enthusiasm fade...