Mulloway Surfacing?

Was down at the Swan last night going for Mulloway and had the rod in the holder get absolutely smashed. Whole rod was going nuts for 5seconds or so as I grabbed the rod. There was a good amount of weight then a big splash on the surface and the hook came out!

Just wondering if anyone has had that before and what it could have been? We assumed a Mulloway with the hectic nature of the take plus the amount of bouncing of the rod tip.. but wouldn't have thought they come up to the surface to shake the head and get the hook out? Water would have been 5m deep or more and the bait was on the bottom with a sinker. Didn't feel ray like at all and there was no damage to the snelled hooks either so not sure on the Bull Shark likelihood. 

Curious to see if it's happened to anyone else before? We were only there a few hours and that was the only action we got.. the one that got away! :( Makes me thankful for the couple that I have managed to get in that's for sure!


Posts: 14

Date Joined: 15/05/11

 Most likely a giant herring.

Fri, 2016-02-12 18:28

 Most likely a giant herring. Used to get an few every year whilst chasing mulloway in the Swan. Usually a screaming run followed by a couple of jumps. 

Chris fish's picture

Posts: 847

Date Joined: 23/02/11

 we have got mulloway on

Fri, 2016-02-12 18:32

 we have got mulloway on surface lures but never had one come up from being hooked down deeper right away. i would say giant herring as well.

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always looking for a new challenge!!

Nimbin 157's picture

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Date Joined: 03/05/10

Years ago I hooked what I

Fri, 2016-02-12 19:39

Years ago I hooked what I guess was one at night in the Collie River on an unweighted mulie and I pulled it from its mouth. It then followed and took the bait from the surface in the moonlight and tore off up river. After gaining some line back I pulled the hooks unfortunately.
My guess would be a Giant Herring also which will be firing after this hot weather.

shorething's picture

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Date Joined: 05/10/11

 Yeah good call, I did think

Fri, 2016-02-12 23:20

 Yeah good call, I did think it could have been one but wasn't sure they grew that big in the river. This fish felt big in a way that I thought it could be another 15kg+ mulla. Have seen huge giant herring at 80-90cm caught at Exmouth before so I know they do get up there. It does fit the bill though!

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 Eagle rays will sometimes

Fri, 2016-02-12 23:42

 Eagle rays will sometimes launch same with some sharks do too

Jmac's picture

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Date Joined: 19/12/15

Seen it once

Sat, 2016-02-13 08:02

One of the best sights of my fishing life was a big 20kg plus mulloway launching fully clear of the water.
Was fishing the rocks at Augusta cosy corner on a big full moon night, had a whole large squid out on the bottom for ages with no takers.
Decided to call it a night so wound it in, the bait came in skipping on the surface when the fish launched taking the squid up with it only meters from the rocks, no lie it was like those great whites in south Africa that launch with the seals fully airborne.
Saying that I don't think it would be common(never seen another one do anything like that), but certainly possible.

shorething's picture

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Date Joined: 05/10/11

 Mate that would have been

Sat, 2016-02-13 13:21

 Mate that would have been unbelievable!! What an experience to see. Did you get the fish in?

Jmac's picture

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Date Joined: 19/12/15

No

Sat, 2016-02-13 19:09

 I was only about 13 and had a Mitchell 499 pro with the roller and clip instead of bail arm, I freed Te line to let it run and when I hooked it back under the roller it snapped.inexperience I'm afraid, was devastated but I can still picture the take like it was yesterday 

rob90's picture

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Date Joined: 06/02/13

 Thats got bull shark written

Sat, 2016-02-13 09:59

 Thats got bull shark written all over it! As soon as they feel hooks they start thrashing around knocking the rod tip around like crazy then they will take a long eratic run before they either jump or head deep. Swan mulloway are more of a relaxed run with bumps/knocks. Giant herring wouldnt take a massive stagnent bait i wouldnt think, as the ones ive chased have been fussy as hell. What bait were you using? And roughly where were you fishing? It could have grabbed the bait and only the bottom hook pinned him hence why there was no damage to the leader. My cousin got one a while ago ( posted in river and esturine) on a single 7/0 on mono 70lb think it was, with a whole grunter and he pinned it in the top jaw and the leeder was fine and used for the rest of the session. Personally ive given up o  swan mulloway and turned to targeting bulls, i come home dissapointed alot less times now, and still in with a chance of a bycatch mulla.

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 Hi my name is rob............. and I'm a........... fishaholic

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Date Joined: 15/05/11

 I've never caught a swan

Sat, 2016-02-13 11:45

 I've never caught a swan bull shark so can't comment on how they fight or take the bait. But giant herring most definitely do take big baits intended for mulloway. Had them eat whole scaley macks. Some of the giant herring in the swan would be well over 5kg and fight like a much bigger fish.

shorething's picture

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Date Joined: 05/10/11

 Thanks for all the thoughts

Sat, 2016-02-13 13:20

 Thanks for all the thoughts guys. Was just fishing whole mulie near Narrows. Sounds like there's a few culprits but we will never really know. Hopefully next time I can get the thing in!

rob90's picture

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 Mulies at the narrows

Sat, 2016-02-13 14:45

 Mulies at the narrows wouldnt rule out giant herring, but ive caught a fair few pup bulls around the causway that have done the exact thing you described. There is also 60cm+ tailor hanging around that area, more food for thought. The one that gets away is the one that keeps us going back. Good luck! Hope to see another mulla report from ya soon

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 Hi my name is rob............. and I'm a........... fishaholic

shorething's picture

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Date Joined: 05/10/11

 Thanks mate! Have had a

Sat, 2016-02-13 22:26

 Thanks mate! Have had a great run so far in my short career so having near misses is par for the course! Gotta love it!!