"Bill,

"I just completed a six-day trip aboard the Shogun last week with Captain Bruce Smith and I wanted to share this picture with you. While fishing at "Lupe", we started catching YT on the dropper on the North end of the island. I grabbed a Spanish mackerel, pinned him on and sent him to the bottom. Within a few minutes, tap, tap...then a big yank. As I set up on the fish, it pinned me to the rail. After 15-20 minutes, the deckhands mentioned that either I'm on a record YT or more likely stuck on a Giant Black Sea Bass, judging by the amount of pull and big long, tail beats.

"After about a 45-minute battle, the Giant (approx. 150lb +) finally gave up and I was able to safely get him on the boat. Capt. Bruce and the crew handled the fish so delicately, as they eased him through the starboard gate and gently slid him on to the rubber mats. Capt. Bruce quickly decompressed the air bladder and Tommy was constantly flushing the gills with water. After some brief "CPR"...we snapped a few pictures and gently released this beautiful Giant back to his home.

"Photo is compliments of Brian Takagi and he has released rights to you for use.

Reel: Penn Baja Special
Line: Big Game 40# mono
Hook: Owner Ringed Gorilla 1/0
Rod: Calstar 665C
Bait: Spanish Mackerel
Rig: 4 Turn Surgeon's Dropper Loop

Thank You,"
Doug Inouye (by email August 17, 2008)

New Video Release!

Over a year in the making, this new DVD is well worth the wait, say the anglers who've viewed Bill Roecker's latest.