From LA to Fiji – the sequel
It was on it’s way to low tide, and our popping game had started to change. And not in our favor!
I sent my 10 inch Blue Komodo Popper about 70 yards from the boat, hitting white water, maybe 3 feet deep, as the waves crashed onto the Astralobe Reef. My Shimano Stella 8000 locked down tight, 55lbs of drag, knowing I could not give up any line. None!
From the darker chasms came black monsters, known as GTs, Giant Trevallys, exploding on our lures, bent on returning to the abyss before we could persuade them out.
Suddenly I saw him. My grip tighten, eyes strained, as he crashed hard from the left side, swallowing my lure as he reentered the gin clear waters on the right!
“Big GT” our Fijian deck hand Simeli yelled, as my rod bent from its power. Our boat Captain Piero put the boat into gear to steer him to deeper waters as he shouted “hold on David”.
It was my 5th GT of the day, but I could tell this one was the strongest!
My Diawa Saltiga rod, specifically built for these demons, arced in defiance, as he pulled line from the Stella like it was nothing. My left hand helping my spool as he sped towards darkness.
I thought he had me as the trench appeared closer. I moved to the other side of the stern trying to gain some leverage on him. Somehow he turned out into the deep allowing me to gain back line & some easier breathing room
“50 meters” Piero shouted, as I knew I had him!. With more water to work with, I lessened my drag alittle for some relief but soon learned he had played this game before.
Line started to peel off my reel as I watched in horror, the big black Gt sped straight down for the unknown. I retighten the drag but it was too late. He had felt freedom as he shook his head from side to side, in an effort to remove my grip from him. Line steadily inched from me as I held on tight. My grip weakening, muscles aching I felt beaten.
“Bommie” Simeelee yelled from the front of the boat. Not what I wanted to here.
The engine roared as Piero slalomed the boat away from the upcoming disaster as the GT zeroed in on it. I tightened the drag again to max as he pulled with his all, rod bent to the rail. My legs felt weak as his run lessened. Single pumps of the reel & rod turned his head up. I was gaining. Big circles turned to smaller ones as he still shook his large head in defiance. Again I gained when I heard ”I got color” my friend Craig shouted, as Simeelee readied with the gaff.
Aboard the boat, our GT weighed in about 65lbs. My biggest to date. I was so spent, I had nothing left to lift him for pictures before we revived him and sent him back to the abyss.
David Ferrario
