Cow On Spin

[Makaira]

Finally a "cow" is landed with spinning gear on the U.S. West Coast long range charter fleet. A cow is the name given to YFTs weighing over 200 pounds.

Current Conditions - “Kite Rotation 15 Seconds To Two Minutes” (Go to link & scroll down to read report)

Interesting contraption they came up with to tackle big fish with spinning gear fishing on those high rail charter boats. Kudos to the gentleman for probably suffering 2 years of "suanning" by his fellow anglers on board the charters for using an eggbeater to fish for big fish on a long range charter.

[Patudo]

That rod stand is ridiculous. How on earth would one fish effectively with something like that stuck on the rod? Besides, can't the fellow catch the fish without resting the rod on the rail?

[Makaira]

That rod stand is ridiculous. How on earth would one fish effectively with something like that stuck on the rod? Besides, can't the fellow catch the fish without resting the rod on the rail?

Fishing the rail seem to be the norm for anglers on these boats which are usually at anchor when they catch these cows. They used to use the harness / gimbal plate system which they popularized & perfected for stand-up fishing. This is still in use by many anglers all over the world. However, fishing on a party boat with multiple anglers hooked up at the same time proved a challenge if they have to play "musical chairs" chasing the fish running round the boat deck with gear strapped to a harness set up; and the need to strap & unstrap the gear multiple times is very cumbersome. So they did away with it altogether & used the rail, so to speak, to fight fish. Spin gear is particularly disadvantaged with the high rail given the reel sits "below" the rod, especially if it is a see-saw battle as the fish circles just under the boat; and tuna inevitably end up fighting that way. I guess they need all the help they can get to land those behemoths given the challenges posed by the configuration of the long range boats.

Some do not see using the rail as "sporting" and therefore talk it down. Let's not go there ........ Thanks guys.

[Patudo]

I'm aware why the rail is used. Funnily enough a lot of fellows who do that are happy to criticise anglers who use a fighting chair where the gimbal is free swinging and the angler must take the full pressure... Anyway, is that rod stand connected to the rod all the time? Or do you put it on after the fish is hooked? Is it easy to move up and down the rail with a piece of aluminium connected to your loaded rod?

I understand the desire to prove that spinning gear is up to catching, in this case big YF. but you look at the contraption needed to use it and think is it that much more "hero" to have caught a fish with a reel under rather than over the rod?

[Sportfisherman]

It goes with the territory , if one were fishing on an agile boat then using rail is not acceptable but when one fish from a "dead" boat then there is no choise but to use whatever you can find in order to withstand the pressure of big fish trying to regain it's freedom .

As for using chair , I do nowaday as I am no longer as strong as a couple of decades ago , again I will use whatever I can find to help me subdue a big fish . Infact I m getting ready for
the days where freshwater fishing is my main activities to amuse myself .

Jon .

[Makaira]

I'm aware why the rail is used. Funnily enough a lot of fellows who do that are happy to criticise anglers who use a fighting chair where the gimbal is free swinging and the angler must take the full pressure... Anyway, is that rod stand connected to the rod all the time? Or do you put it on after the fish is hooked? Is it easy to move up and down the rail with a piece of aluminium connected to your loaded rod?

I understand the desire to prove that spinning gear is up to catching, in this case big YF. but you look at the contraption needed to use it and think is it that much more "hero" to have caught a fish with a reel under rather than over the rod?

Well Dustin ...... all I can say is years ago when I was in a bucket harness on a good fish on hi drag, both feet flat on the foot-board & knees locked rocking back & forth to gain line ....... it felt as though I could be launched over the transom if I made a mistake or the reel locked up!!! Or perhaps I have the technique wrong to begin with!!!

As for that contraption, If I were to use one, I reckon it wouldn't be attached until the fight progressed to an up-down see-saw battle when the fish is circling under the boat. Have no details on how that thing is designed so really don't know how or when they use it.

As Pak John said, it goes with the territory; in this case fishing from a stationary boat for giant fish, so they innovate. As much as the west-coasters have been panned for their "stubborness" in their ways, they have contributed much to the fishing world; like innovating the new generation of 2 speed reels, bringing the concept of free-spool to another level via blueprinting, short-strokers rods, hybrid rod blanks & standup harness /gimbal systems.

As for whether it is more "hero" to catch a biggie with a spinner, wouldn't be surprised if there are some out there who hold that opinion