my first bear hug.

[monchan]

Today was a good day, no work until 4pm, wife took the kids to the local mothers group, surprise surprise said I could go to the beach.

slight waves, vis. average but not bad at the break water among the tetrapods. fairly big miss. missed my usual fair share, took my usualy fair share too. But I got a fairly big Ishidai (Japanese knife Jaw) while it was not my biggest fish as far as length goes, it was heavier, broader and wilder by far. I`d speared a few bigish ones already and, had a few get of as well. (biggish ones means around 30-35cm) This one was a brute.
I thought I`d get a get shot from above then it move (ESP maybe). I was so surprised to see the carbon part of my pole bend as if it was rubber, then as I dragged it out from the tetrapods I saw with horror that I hadnt gone through the flesh of the fish. The shaft from above had just slid in entering the fish high in the shoulder but the shaft only going between the skin and the flesh of the fish. But all the way from top to bottom. That skin must be something strong as the fish fought like "#$%#$. The flopper was fully engaged but with only holding skin, Ipulled it up got it into a bear hug after grabing its tail, which made it thrash like hell. I have multiply puncture wounds from its spikes, I then just sat there a while, while I figured out how to get my knife. Couldnt do that. so I got my stringer spike and tried to get it into his gills with only partial success, he thrashed again, the spike ended up half way out his cheek. So I though good enough got my knife and brained it. Fantastic fish, for me anyway.
In the end it measured just shy of 60cm
weight?? gutted and scaled under water. no scales at home


I know most on this forum would get bigger fish and not think much of it,
but here in this part of japan from the beach that is a fair sized fished.
STOKED.

 

[podge]

Well done on a fine fish sir, and as you say the biggest aren’t always the ones that you remember, but I bet you don’t forget this one in a while.
Rep on the way.

 

[blaiz]

Nice fish,

Just out of curiosity, do you guys have a problem with Ciguatera fish poisoning in Japan? We have knife jaws here too and from what I have heard they are REALLY good eats. On Kauai however, there is a guy who recently got a really bad case of cig from a knife jaw and had to be put in a chemically induced coma for quite some time. I have had a few opportunities to shoot them but have passed them up for this reason.

All the same, nice fish!

 

[monchan]

Nice fish,

Just out of curiosity, do you guys have a problem with Ciguatera fish poisoning in Japan? We have knife jaws here too and from what I have heard they are REALLY good eats. On Kauai however, there is a guy who recently got a really bad case of cig from a knife jaw and had to be put in a chemically induced coma for quite some time. I have had a few opportunities to shoot them but have passed them up for this reason.

All the same, nice fish!

Dont really know. Ishidai are considered a bit of a high class fish,
and at the sushi shops cost more than average. they are seasonal though and its just about over. During the summer they are easy enough to buy at market.

There is also a spotted knife jaw (Ishigakidai) which is considered better,
much sweeter meat. and in far fewer numbers (here anyway) I`ve heard it said not to eat the giant ones 80cm plus, as something they eat has pioson or bacteria or something that builds up??? that what the fish man (sakanakun) on tv said. But I eat the small one 15-20cm when I get them,
great eating. but the type in the photo I eat very often during the summer, no ill effects.

BTW. I just noticed that ******* fish bent the aluminium part of my pole.:vangry

 

[bobdonny]

HEHE, I can relate!

Caught a bass this year similiar to you the shaft went very high and went striaght through the shoulder through skin...no flesh... I was using nylon line and I could see it sawing through the skin as he was moving like a mother.

So I did a bear hug like you and got stabbed in the hand, forearm and chest with his spines....

Well done

 

[Jonny250]

Thats a cracking good fish, well done, and especially on holding no to it!

out of interest would you have had an option to drop to the seabed with it (was it shallow enough?) sometimes it can be easier to drop down and pin them whilst finishing them off... maybe not an option in this case tho?

 

[monchan]

Thats a cracking good fish, well done, and especially on holding no to it!

out of interest would you have had an option to drop to the seabed with it (was it shallow enough?) sometimes it can be easier to drop down and pin them whilst finishing them off... maybe not an option in this case tho?

no really, I was in some tetrapods at the time and nearing the end of my breath hold. And the amount it was thrashing the only chioce I had was to grab it before it tore free.

 

[_Aaron_]

Hey Monchan, did you get out this weekend and find my halibut?

 

[monchan]

Hey Monchan, did you get out this weekend and find my halibut?

no but am hoping to tomorrow morning, wife is taking the kids to the mothers club. So if the water is flat enough I`ll be set...I dont want your halibut I want it`s big brother. (although yours was plenty big enough)

 

[Mr. X]

Cool post, nice fish. But Monchan, what's with the Seattle, Washington T-shirt? I thought you were from Oz. [I lived near Seattle for several years]

 

[monchan]

Cool post, nice fish. But Monchan, what's with the Seattle, Washington T-shirt? I thought you were from Oz. [I lived near Seattle for several years]

wife bought it, not many large sizes that fit me here. So I`d more than likely wear a shirt from north korea if it fitted me. getting shoes and jeans is a pain in the.............