Late afternoon popping sesh, Point Samson

Drove up to Point Samson for a popping session this afternoon after work. Started off slow but as the sun slowly got lower I hooked a small gueenie on the 150 dumbell that got off right at my feet.
Was a fair few casts between my next hook up which was a small bronzie that couldn't resist the haymaker. Do you know how hard it is to remove two 5/0 trebles from a shark? Bloody impossible. Destroyed my trebles, good thing I've got some 5/0 barbless owners arriving soon!


As it got a little later, towards the end of a retrieve all of a sudden a massive GT rampages in from the right and snaffles the lure right at my feet! It hit the afterburners instantaneously, drag was screaming as lined peeled from the stella. I applied some more hurt and gradually increased drag until it was as high as it could go without pulling me in! Didn't slow it down much. Eventually she eased off and I gave her a couple of violent strikes to make sure the lure hooked up positively. She didn'tlike it and screamed off again almost pulling me into the drink. zzzzzzzzzz... then, NOTHING? Thought I'd been busted off then realised my popper was still attached. Dissapointed? Sure. But I'm still on a high from what was probably the best fishing experience I've had, despite not landing it. It was a big GT, however I'm no expert so I won't try estimating it's size.
I've exeprienced some good times fishing but this probably tops them all, the visual aspect (got drenched by the way.. couldn't beleive the spash it made!) plus the sheer pulling power literaly blew my mind away. The only thing that would top it would be to land one.
That was my 2nd time fishing that location specifically targeting GT's... next time, 3rd time lucky????
Who knows, but I can't wait to find out... too bad it's not more accessible.
Hooked on GT's


dan south's picture

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Good story Jay spewing bout

Wed, 2007-05-02 20:50

Good story Jay spewing bout the big gt would of been fun im sure next time you wil nail one.Wat else is out there besides queenies and GT'S.

jay_burgess's picture

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Tuna occasionally come in

Wed, 2007-05-02 21:01

Tuna occasionally come in close, heard people nail mackies on balloon rigs.

It's a pitty it's not more accessible otherwise I'd fish that spot way more often. The walk puts me off a bit lol. Can't wait to get myself a boat then I can fish it in a boat at night.

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Jay Burgess

Kasey L.'s picture

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making me green here Jay

Wed, 2007-05-02 21:47

making me green here Jay =P
its a learning curve, in time the fish will come. don't know what colour I'll be then though.

Guess thats why everything for chasing GTs have to be in tip top condition huh ;)

Pump iron to drop iron!

rusty lock's picture

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How good Are the trebles.

Wed, 2007-05-02 21:57

Hi Jay, I'm so jealous sounds like a good way to finish the day after work.... Im assuming you have used the haymakers before and the river to sea dumbells what are the trebles like? Would a good size fish straighten them out?

GT dreaming.

jay_burgess's picture

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Apparantly the stock trebles

Thu, 2007-05-03 06:33

Apparantly the stock trebles and rings aren't up to scratch for big GT's. I'm replacing all my trebles and rings with owner hyperwire 250lb split rings and barbless trebles.

I managed to snap/straighten out my trebles quite easily trying to remove them from the bronzie so I would assume a big GT could do some damage quite easily.

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Jay Burgess

SHizz's picture

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awesome work jay, nice to

Thu, 2007-05-03 08:26

awesome work jay, nice to see all your hard work payin off. Looks like a trip up your way might be in order soon ;)

SPESS's picture

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Sounds fun Jay, good luck

Thu, 2007-05-03 09:19

Sounds fun Jay, good luck with landind one next time. Hopefully see some good shots of a biggy soon.

Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!

scuttlebutt's picture

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Date Joined: 24/03/06

Shame you missed out on the

Thu, 2007-05-03 10:42

Shame you missed out on the fish but at least that encounter will keep you motivated. I love the roostas but yeah the hooks really aren't suitable. Not only are the Owners much stronger, they're an awful lot sharper and hook fish much better.

cheers,

steve
From Cairns GBR

Adam Gallash's picture

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Date Joined: 29/11/05

Great read

Thu, 2007-05-03 10:51

Great read Jay and spewn about the G train. But as Steve said, great motivation to keep on trying.

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Nealez's picture

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Check out the snap on the

Thu, 2007-05-03 11:08

Check out the snap on the close up dosent look very healthy

Tackle Dangler

Feral's picture

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Jay what knot are you using

Thu, 2007-05-03 16:18

Jay what knot are you using for connecting the mono leader ??
was thinking of a GT knot but im unsure how it would travel when used with heavy mono.

SPESS's picture

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I use double uni or improved

Thu, 2007-05-03 16:47

I use double uni or improved albright on nearlly all my fishing applications in conjunction with a bimni twist and if tied correctly retains good knot strength and hasnt failed me yet. Use a different set up for jigging and trolling but these two are the best for everthing else between barra and GT's. Some use other knots but this is only what i personally find best.

Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!

jay_burgess's picture

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"Jay what knot are you using

Thu, 2007-05-03 17:53

"Jay what knot are you using for connecting the mono leader ??
was thinking of a GT knot but im unsure how it would travel when used with heavy mono."

GT knot for single strand mono leaders. Haven't had a problem. I'm going to start using 8' twisted leaders with a loop to loop cats paw from now on though, just for that bit of extra protection when the volkswagon hits.

"Shame you missed out on the fish but at least that encounter will keep you motivated."

Sure will mate, can't wait to get out there again... despite the long walk!

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Jay Burgess

Shag's picture

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Well done Jay got to love

Thu, 2007-05-03 20:17

Well done Jay got to love point samson I used to fish off the old jetty all the time as a kid pitty its long gone now do you go down to cossack fishing much gotta get back up there to have a beer at trawlers CHEERS SHAG

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Feral's picture

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Jay are the twisted leaders

Thu, 2007-05-03 20:57

Jay are the twisted leaders (e.g. knotted dogs ) a good shock absorbing leader ?
never used one myself but seen a few in light line classes.
might have to try a 80lb mono leader with a GT knot to see if it will go through my runners properly for Exmouth.

jay_burgess's picture

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I haven't used them yet

Thu, 2007-05-03 21:38

I haven't used them yet Feral but from what I've heard I think they will be a good shock absorber.

Give the GT knot a go, it's fairly small and goes through guides quite easily when casting.

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Jay Burgess

SHizz's picture

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tried twisted leaders last

Thu, 2007-05-03 22:30

tried twisted leaders last year, wasnt too impressed, will be interested to find out how they go for you.

jay_burgess's picture

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What didn't you like about

Fri, 2007-05-04 15:57

What didn't you like about them Shizz?

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Jay Burgess

nickyau2's picture

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twisties rock!

Fri, 2007-05-04 16:23

apart from the noise they make when they fly out the guides they're great... beats the clunk from a GT knot using 120lb leader!!! they give great shock absorbtion as they kinda unwind a bit and stretch, definitely more than a short single strand. use soft/supple leader, had a nasty experience with stiff 10X unspooling itself around my stripper guide when casting.

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