Thread: Thrilla in Ozella

Thursday's Thrilla in Ozella yielded what appears to be my catch of a "lifetime"!! A full-shouldered brown bomber with an attitude towards being netted and held captive for photo sessions, coolers(after being "downsized"), cleaning duties and an entrée invitation.
After starting the beautiful sunrise morning catching Cobia candy(pinfish/12), I proceeded to normal activity of building a respectably sized trout limit. After anchoring in 14 fow(76 degrees), I lip-rigged some candy on a 3/0 Mustad cadium J hook tied directly to 14 lb. Berkley XT green mono. Fishing 30 inches below a 4" Styrofoam peg-float, I cast it 25 yards down current and engaged the Shimano Symmetre 2500 baitrunner and placed medium-action 7 foot Gander Mountain advantage rod in stern rod holder.
Usual routine of culling trout, checking candy, rebaiting etc., the 4 hour quiet time turned into a 45 minute chaotic chase to identify the late arrival to my party. Being solo I had to start motor, lift anchor and hold on to rod/guest and get on with the unfolding rodeo event. About 200 yards later(25 -30 minutes) I got my 1st glance at the Brown Gorilla and saw no sign of hook location which caused concern of mono abrasion/lost fish. I awkwardly got the camera phone activated to take some futile, boat side shots perhaps before the adios. After the fish ripped through some more abrasive grass/kelp beds, I noticed that the peg float was now 9 feet from the fish(not good) for single-handed netting. I eventually got within reach of the float and was able to remove it through line slot. About 10 minutes later I slipped the net under this 41 inch, 28 lb 15 oz behemoth Cobia for a truly blessed once in a lifetime moment. All factors considered, this is my personal best fish regardless of species.
Pardon the longevity but I am still amped up over the Gorilla from Ozella.

u2s
ps- The Berkley XT had absolutely NO visible abrasion, the fish was deeply hooked and I will be using circle hooks religiously.