Toughest fish I have caught in a long time !

[Scott Mitchell]

With a perfect forecast & some mates up from Sydney & Brisbane the plan was to head up the island in search of snapper -

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/image/NathHookUp(1).jpg

It didn't take Nath long to hook up at our first spot with plenty of tea leaf trevally & Watson leaping bonito ...

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/image/ScottoMacTuna1(1).jpg

With only the one snapper - we headed out wider off Roonies for a look . There was plenty of bait & we got a few Mac tuna & lost a lovely mackerel over a metre at the boat when it finally bit me off !

[Scott Mitchell]

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/image/ScottoCobe1.jpg

At 11.45 am I hooked up to what was to become one of the toughest battles I have had in a long time ! After a series of big head shakes - it took off like a freight train with Nath taking the wheel and chasing it for me before I lost too much line.

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/image/ScottoCobe2.jpg

I was defiantly under gunned on snapper gear - G.Loomis GLX 852 - Shimano Stella 4000 FE - 20lb Power Pro braid with 20lb Fluorocarbon leader !

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/image/ScottoCobe3.jpg

2 1/2 hours later - At 1.6 metres in length and a conservative estimate of 40Kgs - it's anmazing a fish this size would eat a 2/0 jig head with 145mm Squidgy Flick bait - In Pillie colour !

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/image/CobeRelease.jpg

After a bit of revival she ( Or he ? ) swam off quite strongly and hopefully feels better today than I do !

I have to say a BIG thanks to my mate Nath for his support during the fight as there where times I just didn't think we where gunna win :P

AWESOME fish - Scotto

[madmackrel]

Niiice cobe SM, especially on that gear. One you wont forget for a while.
Cheers MM

[alleycat]

Scotto your a dead set gent and a great sport for letting that fish go, the photos will prove everything, well done..

[Jarrah Jack]

Amazing. You wouldn't get many bigger battles than that in a lifetime or two.

[pegasus]

Great report/pics- thankyou- awesome fish. Excellent caputre and great to know she s still out there swimming.

[jackextracter]

Awesome fish mate on the light stuff, it dont get much better then that!!

[frankgrimes]

HUGE Cobe! Fine effort mate.

Mick

[ddobson]

Boy scotto what a monster and on the 20 pound gear to. I know what you mean when you got a decky to help you through as it makes it doable as i have been the driver and net man of late with my decky and soon it will be my time. Well done huge fih. Cheers DD.....

[Damned67]

Unbelievable. I think I officially hate you now.

OK, maybe hate's a strong word... but if you ever beat that catch, then I'll hate you.

[philip_thomson]

Well done Scott, that's a brilliant fish on light gear.

Respect for releasing it, maybe 1 day you can re-catch it at 50kg.

[robersl]

nice fish scott bet it felt good to see him swim away

[Agrav8_and_Lulu]

Well done Scotto. What a monster catch! Bet your arms will be feeling it in the morning.

[Prowl n Wolf]

as always scott you are a guru. i frikin love your posts. thanks for sharing. regards, tony.

[Jeremy]

I have had a few fights go over 2 hours, and all I want to do when the fish gets close enough is reach for the gaff. You have more patience (or whatever) than me to tail that fish and then release it. Truly huge cobe. Fantastic.

[BLOOEY]

Special catch that one mate. Congratulations:laola:! That will keep you motivated to get up early in the freezing cold mornings or the middle of the night to catch the tide for the next giant that comes along. Fantastic effort!!
Ben

[carnster]

Awesome work on the catch on the relatively light gear and on the release as well. Congrats.

[Assasin]

Hi Scotto

Well done mate. Nice fish on that gear. how does the 485sf look with the wrap on it.

Assasin

[XtremeBoony]

Fantastic effort on light gear mate, well done

Cheers from boony

[hooknose]

Awesome capture mate, bet your Stella was sounding sweet on some of those runs !!

[Scott Mitchell]

Thanks for all the great comments - It truly is a memorable capture 8-)

Assasin - I haven't had her wrapped yet - but working on it 8-)

Hooknose - They are an amazing reel !

So many fish - Scotto

PS: The rod model is a Bass Senko - BSR GLX 852 for those looking ;)