new to doggies on the reef wall

[tbgsub]

today I went fishing with a good buddy here is Saipan, at an undisclosed place- not an MPA I assure you.
I noticed a small dogtooth tuna, about 2ft long comming up on my right at what looked to be 6 feet away. I fired and missed, looked like he was just out of range of my Cobra 100 circolare. 30 minutes later and I would get two more attempts to get close as it patrolled the reef wall/ledge. I saw it moving in my direction so I dove to intercept, he didnt alter direction immediately so I waited till just, BLAM!
still 4 inches out of range! so My question is should I alter my hunting to get them closer, or add a band and a wrap and gain range?
keep in mind that I was shooting with a typical reef setup, no reel, and that had he been any larger, I wouldnt have taken a chance of loosing my gun unless I had a breakaway set up.

 

[miles]

Hiya

At 6' away, your Cobra 100 should've easily punched through that fish. Leads me to believe that the water is very clean and that the fish you saw was actually quite a bit bigger than 2'. What happens in very clean water, especially with big pelagics, is that they appear closer than what they really are!! I've tried shooting what looks like 40kg YF tuna's and kept on missing, until i eventually hit one, which turned out to be a 70kg+ fish!! Even now, with alot more experience, i still mis-judge distance of large tuna's in very clean water!!

If that fish was over 20kg's, you'd probably have lost your gun!! I shot a 20kg YF with a 120cm reelgun and that fish almost drowned me!!! INCREDABLY powerful for their size!!

Adding another band will give your more power, but you still won't be powerful enough to penetrate a tuna at full range of the gun. The 100cm gun is a fairly small gun, not really suitable for hunting pelagics. You'd have to get very close to the fish to be able to put a spear through the fish.

If you're interested in hunting these pelagics, i'd advise a longer gun, like the cobra 130 with 2 or even 3 bands!! How-ever, more importantly, a proper float system is required.

Regards
miles

 

[tbgsub]

thanks, that is exactly what I was thinking when I woke up the next day. that what I thought was a 2' jack at 6 ft, was actually much larger just out of range, I still cant believe that it was that big? Typically fish look larger right? it is strange to hear that this particular fish appears smaller.

thanks for the useful insight, I plan on rigging a breakaway this week with double 18mm bands, same 100cm gun. it is all I have for now, but if I stay on this island for another two years, I will definitely upgrade to a larger, enclosed track with a floatline and breakaway rig, I hope on hunting Giant Trevally in my bay. your advise will be taken seriously, thanks.

tbgsub.

 

[tbgsub]

yeah. I am currently debating the purchase of either an ONO or a Mahi gun with a slip tip and breakaway setup from Daryl Wong for delving into Blue species. which would you pic? I am leaning toward the Mahi for its manouverability near the reef, and its acceptable range over the Cobra because of 3+ band capacities with an enclosed derlin track.

 

[tbgsub]

after seeing pics of 130cm cobras in the double band mode next to large TUNA, and firing my own with two 18mm powerbands in breakaway setup, I think I am going to stay with the Cobra for a while longer, before going full Blue. Dont get me wrong, I like the idea of having a Wong in my collection forever, But I think I can manage with what I have for a while.

 

[Diver06]

I been diving in saipan 10 years ago and shot a few nice fish off a drop from a cliff but had no one to take me out I would love to visit and get a few dog tunas as for big game email darly wong or jay rife

 

[tbgsub]

I am in contact with Daryl, looking at a Mahi gun, but my current gun, Omer Cobra 100cm Circolare, is now set up with a breakaway, using a Riffe 75ft bungie, and an Omer float line, and two 18mm power bands with french articulated wishbones. I plan on upgrading to a 7mm sharkfin tabbed bolt with a slip tip and the same setup. Doggies here I come.
last weekend I came 20ft from a greater amberjack that was close to 3ft long! but I didnt get a good profile and didnt take the shot, but I am ready for the biguns. tomorrow I am looking for a giant trevally, and maby a dogtooth, or a bluefin trevally in LaoLao bay. I have seen them chasing a local school of bigeye scads, and I am a man on a mission. you wouldnt believe it but my fishing buddy is a Magician at the Hyatt, so I am goin fishin with the magician, no joke. his name is Dave Womach, and his show is fun and excititng, check out his website:> Dave Womach - International Magic Champion (888) 534-9956
ooh well sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. wish me luck.

tbgsub.

 

[Jimbo]

Great thread I am enjoying it, just happened to see a boogie board out in my shed with some old fins etc. hmmmm it's got me thinking but I already have a Rob Allen float and a 50 ft Rob Allen Line. I am thinking about getting a 100 ft. Riffe that is covered with the plastic/nylon is a bungee a great idea to have on it? I will shoot the occassional kingfish and maybe a wahoo with it.
Thanks Jim

 

[Diver06]

I use a 50 ft bungee , but also used a 75-100 tag that works good too but I put a 5 ft bungee off my float connected to the tag line. Jay had great tags I use his floats too. happy hunting