Handy Excuses for a Skunking

[MuskieBait]

(11-18-2013 03:39 PM)shawarma Wrote:  love the "drag was set too tight!" excuse

Well considering we had a 5-6' shark on the line, probably in the 100lb range, ripping line off the free spool...force = mass x acceleration...

We go from free spool to engage the reel, at which point the drag stack engages...the rod loads up quickly and we further put more pressure to et the hook...

That's a lot of sudden pressure that 1) the 40lb mono was too light to deal with that big animal and 2) the drag stack go from zero to full in a fraction of a second and surge of pressure, even with a smooth drag and only set to 10lb of drag pressure, it was too much inertia to deal with.

Ka-pow!

As soon as we engaged the reel, the fish snapped off...first 40lb mono, then 60lb mono...

Like I said, should not be an excuse...rookie mistake, yes...review point, yes...excuse...no...we were just clueless...

Only way we'll learn is to recognize and accept mistake and find ways not to make it again...

So now we're upping to 100lb mono topshot and reducing the drag...hook them, let them take the first run, and increase the drag slowly as needed...

Hopefully we can find some willing participants...