Jasper Pons is not one to be messed with. Photo via YouTube screen shot.
February 05, 2014
By Debbie Hanson
Editor's Note: We've all heard of the harrowing angler stories. It's one thing on an inshore bass fishing trip, but when you're in Great White shark territory , saltwater animal attacks become another issue altogether. Whatever you do, don't dangle that foot in the water like the man who died in Hawaii last year after a tiger shark attack. Here's another story that will blow your mind.
That's Not Mackerel on the Line Kayak angler Jasper Pons, 44, recently left the shores of Westbrook, South Africa with the intention of catching a few mackerel to bring home for dinner. Instead, he and a fishing buddy ended up with a sheer adrenaline rush and six minutes of rare video footage that documents an epic battle with a "hot" sailfish as described by Kayak Fish .
Epic Battle All appeared to be a calm, relatively uneventful day as Pons rigged his two lines with live maasbankers or "mozzies" and pitched the baits into the water just a few feet from his Stealth fishing ski. When the first sailfish hit, Pons was so focused on staying clear of its erratic jumps and razor sharp bill that he didn't notice a second fish racing up to take the bait on the second rod off to his right side. While he was fighting the first fish, the second fish crashed into the side of his kayak and then inhaled the bait. Pons instantly took action and set the reel in freespool, hoping that the fish would run from the small vessel, but soon noticed that the line was wrapped around the rudder.
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With one fish headed east and one headed south, Pons called for reinforcements and handed the second rod over to his friend with his right hand as he kept pressure on the first fish with his left. He once again concentrated his efforts on landing the initial fish -- still far from being an easy task.
The sail dragged the kayak in several directions before Pons was able to get within reaching distance. Using his hat, a Christmas gift from his mother, he leaned over in an attempt to grab the fish, but the sail continued to thrash its sharp bill just inches from Pons as if in protest. Then, the fish took a dramatic a leap into the air… the fight wasn't over just yet.
Not long after the jump, Pons had the fish back at the boat. His second attempt was successful as he forcefully gripped its bill using the hat as a makeshift glove. With the fish still partially submerged, he removed the hook, lifted it out of the water and straight onto his lap for a quick photo before releasing it back into the sea.
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Lucky Fishing Hat "I don't actually target sailfish because I know I can never bring myself to take one home for the pot," Pons said to Kayak Fish. Dinner aside, Jasper Pons gives a whole new definition to the term "lucky fishing hat."
Mysterious Elk Die-Offs In September of 2013 a herd of more than 100 elk were found dead in New Mexico. The elk had not been shot, so poachers were not to blame. Experts believe that the deaths were caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD.
We rounded up the most bizarre mass animal deaths from the last decade.
Read the full story .
Image via
dw_ross
Hunter Stranded in Alaska for Seven Days In mid September, Adrian Knopps was bear hunting with a friend when he became stranded with little food, no shelter, and no way to call for help.
What were those seven days like?
Read the full story .
Image via
Jerzystrzelecki Florida Woman Mauled by Black Bear On December 2, 2013, 54-year-old Susan Chalfant was out walking her dogs when she was mauled by a black bear in her residential neighborhood near Wekiwa Springs State Park in Central Florida.
Officials from the FWCC are calling it the worst documented bear attack in Florida history.
Read the full story .
Image via
Jon Sullivan
Possible VA State Record Black Bear On December 7, 2013, Tyler Napier killed a 728-pound male black bear in Charlotte County that may be Virginia's all-time bruin.
Read the full story .
Photo courtesy Tyler Napier
Man Dies After Hawaiian Shark Attack On December 2, 2013 Patrick A. Briney of Stevenson, Wash. was kayak fishing off the coast of Maui when a shark bit his right foot, which was hanging in the water. His friend tried to stop the bleeding by tying a tourniquet, but was unsuccessful.
Read the full story .
Black Rhino Hunter Receives Death Threats Corey Knowlton faced public backlash in January following a Dallas Safari Club fundraiser auction where he paid $350,000 for a license to hunt African black rhino, an endangered species. CNN reported on Friday that, after receiving multiple death threats from animal lovers, the Texas hunter and his family went into hiding in a Nevada hotel room under 24-hour guard.
Read the full story .
Wildlife Advocate Poaches Elk Idaho wildlife officials shocked area residents with the announcement that wildlife advocate Marv Hoyt pled guilty to poaching two elk in early November, 2013.
Read the full story .
Video: Kayak Angler Fights Off Sailfish Kayak angler Jasper Pons, 44, recently left the shores of Westbrook, South Africa with the intention of catching a few mackerel to bring home for dinner. Instead, he and a fishing buddy ended up with a sheer adrenaline rush and six minutes of rare video footage that documents an epic battle with a 'hot ' sailfish.
Read the full story .
Video: FL Students Reel in 700-Pound Hammerhead Viktor Hluben went on a nighttime shark fishing trip that he will never forget. Find out what happened after the 90-minute fight.
Read the full story .
FWC Biologist Rescues Drowning Black Bear Would you jump in the water to save a 6-foot tall, 375-pound Florida black bear? Find out what happened when Florida FWC biologist Adam Warwick did just.
Read the full story .
What's your craziest fishing story? Share with us in the comments!
