In search of Doggies part 2

Time to try to catch a Dogtooth Tuna again.

By the way a Dogtooth Tuna is not really a tuna at all, in fact it is a member of the Scombridea family, in it's own genus, Gymnosarda. More closely related to the Mackerels and bonitos than the tunas.

The game plan is set and the gear is all ready. We load up enough tackle to start another store.

This time our crew consists of, Brendan, Wayne (Fisher X), Loren, who has fished with us before, and of course Rosie. Who, not only does she catch a lot of fish, but she is also on the camera as well as video.

From In search of Doggies 2

First up once we get out to the reefs is to catch some bait. This we done using a Sabiki rig. Slow trolled along the reefs.

From In search of Doggies 2

Here's Wayne setting out our Sabiki rig.

From In search of Doggies 2

The bait we are fishing for is quite a bit bigger than say a mullet or a gar fish. We are actually trying to catch double lined mackerel, also called Scad Mackerel. It is a great bait for all kinds of fish.

Our first catch on the Sabiki is a Walu (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel).

From In search of Doggies 2

Not really bait material but definitely eating goods.

Back in the water and off we go again.

From In search of Doggies 2

And we wait

From In search of Doggies 2

Until we finally get a couple Scads. (image borrowed from the last post as no photo was taken)

From In search of doggies, take 1

No it is time to get serious and do some jigging.

First up of course is Rosie with a nice Bluefin Trevally caught on a Williamson flutter jig.

From In search of Doggies 2

Now anyone who has ever been out on the sea for any period of time will eventually see amazing sights and events. The ocean is vast and there is a lot of animals and weather and sky to look at.

Almost with out thinking when an image presents itself to you and you have a camera you will take a photo.

From In search of Doggies 2

Dark stormy sky contrasted by lighter sky. Dark seas contrasted by light seas and the birds take no notice.

Next up is your captain with an Emperor.

From In search of Doggies 2

Next up is wayne with a pair of Rusty Job fish.

From In search of Doggies 2

From In search of Doggies 2

Now Brendan shows up to the party with a big Rainbow Runner a member of the Jack family, Carangidea

From In search of Doggies 2

Now Loren has been watching all of this jigging and has come to the conclusion that we are all mad and are working way to hard to catch fish. He might have a point.

He is fishing with bait using a double hook rig with a sinker on the bottom. A very effective rig for catching food fish, and he proves it here.

From In search of Doggies 2

Here is a Bluefin Trevally caught on a flutter jig by Brendan.

From In search of Doggies 2

Now Rosie gets into bait fishing and has her own double hook-up.

From In search of Doggies 2

Now you would think with all the excitement of catching every kind of fish imaginable we would forget the dog we came looking for.

That can not happen. We are on a mission, to subdue a doggie and bring it onboard. And after hours of jigging, with sore arms and backs. Chaffed under arms and blistered fingers a doggie is finally hooked. There is no doubt what is on the other end of Wayne's line. The fight is unique to the Dogtooth Tuna. Hard runs and tail beats that pulse up the line and through the rod. Never surrendering all the way to the surface. Once it is in the boat and secure, jubilation breaks out among us.

Although not huge or even large but amazingly powerful. The one, the only, Dogtooth Tuna.

From In search of Doggies 2

From In search of Doggies 2

It has become almost mythical due to our obsession with catching one.

Now that we have caught one and have learned some valuable lessons, we can set our sites on a real brute, in the 50kg range.

We had a rather long trip back to the dock, but it was made bearable with the knowledge of one under our belt.

From In search of Doggies 2

This quest is not over, not by a long shot. In fact I would say it is just beginning.

Until next time.

Tight Lines