Setup: CastingLure: Reidy's Big B52 (150mm)
Fish: Grouper, 7lb
Initially, we worked our lures at various spots along the shore that held fish in the past. An hour of relentless casting yielded nothing this time. However, there was one last spot along the coast that I had in mind. I told my buddy that this was our last shot at a fish tonight.
True enough, within several casts at the spot, my buddy got a hit on his 150mm lure. The bite felt like that of a small fish, but as soon as the fish felt the hook, it made some good runs initially, despising the high drag setting of my buddy's baitcaster loaded with 20lb braided line. It was now obvious that this was no small fish. Then came a few heart-stopping moments in the fight. Three times, the fish ran into obstacles and each time it happened, no amount of forceful pulling could free it. It felt as if you had hit a snag. So everytime the fish dove into a snag, my buddy gave slack line hoping the fish would swim out. Once the fish swam out, he would pump the fish back. Miraculously, it worked all three times and the fish was finally landed. We heaved a sigh of great relief as I put my boga to the fat grouper's mouth. It was a good 15-minute fight, but the victorious angler proved to be more stubborn.
After some good photos, the fish was released.
Our buddy had been having a dry spell, but this 7lb grouper sure ended it well!
