This video is of Karin Miller on a large 8-9lb bonefish in Cuba. The ending is dissappointing. She places the cast perfectly, works the shrimp pattern well and sets the hook successfully. Even her play is good. She keeps pressure on the fish working from the side and maintains a 90 degree angle between her and the fish. All is well - but she rushes the landing for no good reason and grabs the line too high to begin handlining. The fish is being managed well. There should beno urgency. But it's all about managing adrenaline in the moment.
When she grabs the line she snaps the tip section up high (a true rookie move). She knows the error she's made. Frustrated she quickly starts to retrieve the line because as soon as the tip snapped the tension ceased and the bonefish stopped running. The tip is in front of her. Once again she pulls a rookie move out of frustration and quickly, without thought - pulls in line. The fish is still on but pops off due to the fast retrieve and unpreparedness of Karin. An epic fish that should have been landed...even after the break, had she simply taken her time and handlined the fish in SLOWLY the deed would have been complete.
Lesson Learned from my Cuban Bonfish:
1) Take your time. Do not rush it.
2) As long as you have that 90 degree angle you are good.
3) Grab the line LOW.
4) Hand line SLOWLY and gently.
5) Even experienced anglers make mistakes - LET IT GO and move on to the next moment.
Hanging onto the mistake will only increase your chances of making another.
14 ноя 2022
