May 29 The HIGHS and LOWS of Cobia Fishing

Almost an Epic Day. We released 7 Cobia and a huge Sharksucker. All on bucktails. We pulled off a 40 lb Cobia first thing. Much later, and 50 miles later, we broke off a 75 lb Cobia. In the unbelievable department, we also found a 6 foot Sailfish a mile off the Beach. Armed with nothing but a Bucktail, I cast it in his direction. So then in plain sight, the Sail flashed from black to purple, raised his Sail and rushed my Bucktail. After putting his right eye right beside my bait, he violently swung his bill against the Bucktail. Still in plain sight, my leader wrapped around the fishes bill. Then he gaped his mouth open and charged the Bucktail... Unfortunately, my leader being wrapped around the bill, so the fishes mad rush gained no ground on the Bucktail because it was already hung on his bill! So, I tightened up my line and briefly came tight! Once again, in plain sight, the Sailfish flicked his bill again and the Bucktail unwrapped from its precarious hold. Again the Sailfish turned on the Bucktail. For a second, he actually bit the Bucktail. Feeling nothing but lead, he quickly dropped it and turned on a dime and started back towards the baitball. I made another cast, hoping for a mad rush and a hard bite, but this time he ignored it.... If only I'd had a swimbait tied on, I honestly think it would've been one for the ages... A Sailfish caught sight casting, a mile off the Beach, in May for crying out load. But, like the rest of the day, it was very close to being a GREAT day.... In the end, it was a beautiful day where we saw lots of Leatherback Turtles, lots of Cobias, lots of Sharks, and a Humpback Whale. I may be judging myself too harshly. My last memory was that of an "empty cooler"..... Total Catch for the Day: 7 Cobia from 27" to 31" and a Sharksucker at 34"