Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

466.0. "BaitMaster....is no more...." by TWOBA::HAYES () Mon Sep 25 1995 14:20

From:	NOTAPC::AUGER        "LOC/MS:OGO1-2/J16 DTN:276-9432" 25-SEP-1995 11:31:57.90
To:	RUFUS2::HAYES
CC:	AUGER
Subj:	You should have been there !!!!

"THIS STORY IS PUBLISHED WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM DAVE "SEALMASTER" AUGER.
THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY WAS REMOVED. IT STARTS WITH HIM TALKING ABOUT
WHERE THE BASS ARE........AND WHY THEY ARE THERE. I HAVE EDITED IT 
IN SOME PLACES TO PROTECT THE SEALMASTERS FAVORITE "FISHING HOLE".



........It might be that they can't get past the 'seal guard' sitting
at (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE).  The situation is kinda strange.  
The pogies are sitting between the (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE) and the 
(POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY  LIFE) the bass are from (POINT REMOVED TO 
PROTECT MY LIFE) and the seals own (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE).  
I did manage to catch a fish 
on Saturday just below (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE).  
Saturday's total was 5 stripers all over 20lbs with the largest about 30lbs.  
However I broke-off the best runner I've ever had on at about 7AM Saturday!  
On Sunday there was absolutely nothing at (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE).

	Back to the best runner story.  First to set the stage.  The weather on
Saturday was almost perfect.  The temp was around 60, it was overcast with just
an occasional peek at the sun.  The wind was a bit brisk out of the NW (20-25
MPH is my guess), but it made fishing the incoming at my favorite 
(POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE) rip
easy - I could sit at the head of the rip and the wind kept me perfectly
positioned against the current.  Only occasionally did I have to use the
electric to move back into position.  There wasn't a sole around until about
8AM (they must have listened to the weather forecasters).  It felt like I
really did own the river!!!

	In any case, because I didn't want to mess with guards, I was fishing
out near the flasher at (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE).  Then it hit!  
I wasn't more then 30 ft away from it.  At first I let him run like I usually 
do then I set the hook.  It didn't slow him down a bit!  I tighten the drag to
the max but he still kept peeling off line.  So I thumbed the spool, but he 
still keeps a peelin!!  
So I start backing down into the current.  But he still kept a peelin and of 
course he's running directly at the rocks!!!  So I backed down even faster!!  
Just as the dacron was about to show, he starts to slow and I'm able to start 
getting back line.  Right about now is when I figure that I've finally got the
fish that will get my picture perminently stuck to the wall of fame at Surfland.
If only I can land him.  He's awfully close to the rocks!  As I approach the
down river side of the wall he stops dead in his tracks.  My first thought was
that he spit the hook, so I take the boat out of gear.  Nope he's still there!! 
No longer running but still there none the less.  Leaving the boat in neutral,
I use the rod & reel to bring the boat to mohammed (don't cha just love that
40lb test!!!).

	It was about now that in the back of my mind a little voice began to
say "if you don't land him, at least get a good look at him".  I was only in
8 ft of water and I couldn't have more then 50ft of line out, what's the big
deal?  So I began to work him harder and harder, but he just wouldn't budge.
This sucker has to be at least 50 lbs, probably 60+.  It made the 40 pounder
a couple of year back seem like a schoolie...  Once in a while it would feel
as if the line was chafing or sliding on something.  Like when you wrap a
mooring.  Oh God, at least let me see the sucker before the line breaks?????

	Then it happened, he came to the surface just 20 ft from the boat!!!
He slapped his tail spraying me with water and barked at me something like
URRGH, URRGH, URRRGGGHHH....The friggen seal had to go at least 400 lbs.
I wasn't about to mess any longer with the ugly sucker (kinda reminded me of 
you).  I simply put the boat
back iN gear and tugged to part the line.  End of story.  After peeling another
30 ft or so of chaffed line off the reel, I left. 
Wouldn't you know a seal followed me all the way up TO (POINT REMOVED TO 
PROTECT MY LIFE).
I'm not sure but I think it might have been the same one.

I hope you enjoyed this story...In reality I suspected it was a seal after the
first (THIS I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE SEALMASTER)
few seconds because no striper in the world could peel line from the
SEALmaster while running into the current...But it doesn't make for as good a
story.....

SM
    	

    OK.  I'm impressed.  Anyone who hookes a 400 pounder in the Merrimack
    will be telling stories about it for years...........
    
    Mark,
    

Yup...I heard the same story on Sunday...at least twice!  When we got to 
(POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE TOO), Dave proudly pointed out the 400 lber 
he thought was a 60 lb striper.

After fishing the area below (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT MY LIFE TOO) without
any luck and then seeing them big grey seals basking on the rocks, we headed
over to (I THINK DAVE SAID IT WAS JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BOSTON), but I 
think he was kidding and we were really headed up to (POINT REMOVED TO PROTECT
MY LIFE TOO).

OK...I'll stop now.  I promised the SealMaster that I wouldn't divulge his
favorite spots.  Oh Oh...gotta go..the phone's ringing.

J