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bruiser08 · 2014-04-27T21:02:20Z

Hey guys, I've been MIA for a while been pretty busy with family stuff, and haven't had much to report. As most of the guys who have been on the site for a while know this is where I got my start in shark fishing. Mostly driving all of the original guys crazy with my questions. Like most of you as soon as I came across the site I instantly got the itch for that big hammer, and tiger. Seeing all of the pics from Will, JD Hammer, the Polk's, Shannon, Josh I just assumed it would happen. They make it look easy anyway. After a couple years of it not happening it got pretty frustrating, especially when the new/old school guys came onto the scene and started beaching fish after fish. Yes I mean you Ray, Joe, and the rest of the Dirty South crew lol. By year 3 I decided to let it push me harder, and use everyone's success to motivate me. Still didn't happen, stars just wouldn't align, something would always go wrong... Until last night! I lost a big fish Friday night after fighting it about 20 minutes it made a run for a boat and cut me off on the prop. I pushed through and set out again the next night, about an hour before sunset I hooked up again, another 20 minute fight and the fish spit. I decided I would drop the bait one more time and give it until sunset. Just after the sun disappeared my Avet went off on that nice steady slow roll I live to here! I got into my harness, strapped to the reel, and just let it go for a while I wasn't going to miss it again. I finally set the drag and let her take all the stretch out of the mono and set the circle hook. She took a good 500yds on the first run, but I was mentally prepared for a long fight from the start. 15 minutes in things were going great fish was straight out, line was high, I knew what I had on. Out of nowhere here comes a boat, some how it went over the line, just as I got calmed down here comes another! Drop the rod tip and avoid that one too. 5 minutes later the line goes slack, I reel as fast as I can until I cant anymore. Felt like the bait was sitting on the bottom, so I stick the rod in the pipe and ask my wife to reel the bait in for me because my arms spent. She gets it to where its about 100yds out, I harness back in to reel up and check my bait. A few cranks later I almost face plant when the fish decides to leave town. After another 20 minutes or so, and weaving across 12 lines I think it was the fish is just out of the wash but its too heavy for me to turn in with no waves to help me. Here's the part you'll like Will with my 7 year old chasing me telling me I can do it, and not to give up I realize the other dozen or so guys who were fishing had all reeled up! Not only did they reel up but they are all asking what they can do to help, four of them get on the leader and start trying to land her. Out of nowhere our friend Nino shows up from another beach jumps the leader, snatches the tail rope, and throws it on. Four years after it started I finally got my hammer, and to make it better every sharker on the beach came together to make it happen for me! After a quick measure, dehook, and tag we started to walk her in the surf. I had the drag as tight as I could stand it the entire fight to land the fish as quick as possible so she was still pretty green. After two unsuccessful attempts to swim back at us, she kicked off strong out of sight. The measurement hadn't set in because we were so frantically trying to get her released so I asked what it was again. 13' 7" I still cant believe it finally happened, I'm just so grateful it did! I want to thank everyone on here who has helped and supported us over the years! Also all of the guys on the beach that helped! You made the experience so much better! After all the negativity surrounding the sport, and directed towards us this year you guys honestly restored my faith that we can work together out there!!!! She isnt the prettiest hammer you'll see and the pictures arent the greatest because I wanted to get her released but shes mine lol. We also got it all on video. When its edited I'll post the link

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13 ft 7 in Hammer- 4 Years Of Work Later(April 2013)

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