First time landing one of these guys. My buddy and I were going after em for a few days before finally getting this young one. We hooked into a few more including an incredibly old large one that looked like a log when reeling him out of water. They would break our lines, straighten out hooks, etc I can tell these fish are incredibly intelligent. We had a random guy watching us say that they know how to rub on the rough surfaces and cut the braid on their own. their power is absolutely ridiculous and when they surface and see you they flip out and do flips and tail smack the water. I did unfortunately drop him from about a foot high and he got a scrape on his face and belly I still feel awful about that. I also recognize I could of held him better . My buddy taught me the right way w holding the wrist of their tail first and use the other hand to support the chest so they can't squirm out. This was the first large fish I've ever handled. The fight was nothing like I had ever experienced I think I'll be chasing that high for a while. These are a protected species here where I am because they are used as a natural weed cleaner to eat debris from canals. Seeing him swim off to go do his thing was cathartic
Posted by AwRats420