Mako My Day.
- The boys from Game On Fishing Charters with a 177kg Mako shark caught off Portland.
To rock in the swell of the ocean waves as they roll into the beach has all the hall marks of the seaside summer holiday. The cool blue waters a stark contrast to the dry arid heat left at home for all but a brief few days. As you wade out a little further you wonder why it was you sat up and watched the rerun of jaws on television the night before. You also question what might possess the station in question to run this movie during the prime seaside holiday period in the first place. Not too deep now, you decide you might turn your back on the sea and wade in a little closer to shore. All the time that stupid da dum theme music to jaws is rolling in your mind. You hasten your pace as the retreating waves slow your progress, it’s about now a wayward piece of seaweed brushed the back of your leg. Now let me tell you, the great art of walking on water is not that difficult under these exact circumstances. And the twisted sense of humour that is obvious of our broadcasters, while funny to some is lost in a flurry of arms and legs as you land intact on the beach.
And so it was on a recent trip to Portland where later that day I was fortunate enough to be at the boat ramp as the crew from Game On Fishing Charters returned from a day on the water. Their prize in tow a massive Mako shark that when put across the scales weighed an impressive 177kg. Not quite your jaws but impressive none the less. The skipper in charge Phil Daffy said they hooked and fought the big fish for almost three back breaking hours. They estimated that it towed them some 10 kilometres out to sea and jumped several times during the fight, easily clearing the water on each occasion. Daffy said they were drifting dead baits in a burly trail and the shark, just like in the jaws movie came from nowhere and screamed off with the line. Looking at the bite radius and menacing teeth did nothing to calm my seaweed encounter earlier that day. For my money, next summer holidays knee deep will be quite a sufficient distance to wade in the surf. I will also make it a point not to watch any shark movies. And if I do have the good fortune to see one of these incredible fish up close and personal, it will be out on a Game On Fishing Charter where the action can be safely observed from on board and not in the water. For bookings and more information on a Game On Fishing Charter contact Phil Daffy on 0419 100 324
