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WTF
May 10, 2010 11:21:38 GMT -5
Post by jlamberg33 on May 10, 2010 11:21:38 GMT -5
Haven't been on the board too long and have noticed a few references recently to the "WTF" found around the skyway. Ok, what is it? I am guessing that it is some sort of animal viewed by many that no one can determine what it is. So.......WTF? ?
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truckyfd
Master Baiter
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 238
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WTF
May 10, 2010 12:13:39 GMT -5
Post by truckyfd on May 10, 2010 12:13:39 GMT -5
have, hate to correct you, BUT old hitler was a 14 ft hammerhead shark that roamed lower tampa bay for years. i have seen him in the old days. if skyjay were to show up (hehee) he can confirm too. BUT this was many years ago, he's prob dead by now!
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Post by goindeep on May 10, 2010 18:33:25 GMT -5
I'll take this one.... The WTF that you've seen references to lately refers to a monster fish that showed up around the SSP last year....it was given the nickname "WTF" because that was the reaction of those who were fortunate enough to hook it. It was fast and powerful....peeling the heaviest of drag, breaking off the stongest of lines as if were 8 pound test, and leaving even the most experienced pier anglers scratching their collective heads. For a few months in the spring and early summer of 2009, this mystery fish toyed with fisherman, and never gave a clue as to what it could be. It was like a torpedo - fast...strong...and unseen. There were many guesses as to what it might have been: bull shark...masssive cobia...overgrown bonita on steroids.....prehistoric sea creature...some crazy cross breed...but nobody knew for sure. It always stayed deep below the surface...mysterious, mythodical, and calculated. This very forum was alive with talk of the mysterious, massive, relentless creature...even the oldest of salts were dumbfounded on what could be wreaking such havoc on tackle at the pier. I recall a post on the forum one day that summer.....One old school pier regular in particular had an encounter with the monster, and after popping his 50 pound mono line he decided to be the one who would reel the monster in. He beefed up his tackle and rigged up some heavy wire leader...and hooked up. Surely this would stop that sumbitch in his tracks....However, WTF made quick work of the wire leader.....strike two. Again, it was bigger tackle time....he hooked it again on 100 pound mono...he actually gained a little ground on the creature, thinking he might have him beat this time....but the mystery fish made a blistering run towards the gulf of mexico and popped his line like it was sewing thread. The only thought he could muster was indeed "WTF!!!!". The creature was living up to his name. Refusing to be defeated, and giving grown men nightmares and sleepless nights.... Soon after that, the tales of the legendary creature stopped. Fall arrived, and it seemed this denizen of the deep departed when the colder temperatures rolled in....scores of anglers continued to bring their biggest fish fighting weapons to the pier, hoping to be the one who would revel in the glory of landing the WTF fish and the probable fame and fortune that might come with it. Angler after angler would leave the pier disappointed, thinking 'maybe if I stayed one more hour I could have hooked him'....but it was not to happen...it was not to be hooked again in 2009....perhaps he would never be seen in these parts again....or would he.... Fast forward to about a week or so ago...a forum member spins a tale of something mysterious and powerful on the business end of his tackle...something that raced in to tear mackerel in half like a hot knife through soft butter...and only getting a glimpse of a massive dark shadow lurking beneath....I myself witnessed a hookup Saturday that peeled drag and broke an angler off like he was fishing with dental floss on a barbie pole...could it be? ? Had WTF returned for round two??? Keep reading.... On Sunday, May 9th, 2010, ripnlips and crew were slaying the macks on the South Skyway pier as usual when they caught a glimpse of something they couldn't believe....a massive 7+ foot barracuda at the SSP....eye witnesses described it as a "truck bumper with teeth"...and as big around as a steering wheel....it surfaced long enough to let the lucky anglers who were there catch a glimpse of its massive, submarine-like body and razor sharp rows of flesh tearing chompers...could this be the mystery fish from last year??? We may never know...but the giant Cuda seems to be a good a candidate as any...perhaps he went to deeper waters this winter and got bigger...and cockier...before his return to his old stomping grounds. Perhaps that's why he surfaced....to show the pier fisherman what they're up against....and challenging each and every one of them to try and stop him if they dare....maybe he enjoys playing with their heads, knowing he has the advantage with his speed, power and cunning....maybe, just maybe, he wants to challenge himself against the best fisherman Florida has to offer....in any case, this particular monster fish has let his presence be known....and he's obviously not afraid to mock the humans on their safe concrete structure above the water...where they know they are out of reach from his deadly wrath.... We may never know if this was the WTF fish from last year....but one thing is certain --- if any unsuspecting pier fisherman hooks into and tangles with that behemoth barracuda....the fight will be short-lived...and the angler will most likely be left spooled and schooled...feeling defeated....heart pounding...eyes as big as saucers...arms trembling...and when its all over, he will be left standing on the pier with nothing but a story of the ultimate one that got away..and at that moment, the one single thought in his head will of course be: W...T....F!!!!!
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WTF
May 10, 2010 19:15:39 GMT -5
Post by havetofish on May 10, 2010 19:15:39 GMT -5
Some excellent writing skills there Steve, reads like a good novel.
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WTF
May 10, 2010 22:10:58 GMT -5
Post by bill jacques on May 10, 2010 22:10:58 GMT -5
Steve has to much time on his hands, He needs to get to the pier
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WTF
May 11, 2010 0:41:57 GMT -5
Post by arrantzale on May 11, 2010 0:41:57 GMT -5
hahaha great story. i hope we have more to hear of WTF as the season progresses
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WTF
May 11, 2010 8:16:30 GMT -5
Post by gerard1031 on May 11, 2010 8:16:30 GMT -5
Excellent account of the WTF history!
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WTF
May 11, 2010 9:17:52 GMT -5
Post by festeroo031985 on May 11, 2010 9:17:52 GMT -5
Steve, Great story brother..I have comp2 comming up next quarter im just gonna hand all my writings over to you if thats ok HAHAHA j/k thats awsome keep up the great work
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WTF
May 11, 2010 12:07:02 GMT -5
Post by filletnrelease on May 11, 2010 12:07:02 GMT -5
Wow Steve, very impressive, to say the least. You may have to give Skyjay a run for his money on those fishing stories he is famous for. Hope to catch you on the pier soon.
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WTF
May 11, 2010 15:43:44 GMT -5
Post by tylerdurden on May 11, 2010 15:43:44 GMT -5
yeah man all we need is a campfire and you holding a flashlight under your face...lol
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WTF
May 11, 2010 22:31:31 GMT -5
Post by grouperscooper on May 11, 2010 22:31:31 GMT -5
Old Hitler has even made the newspapers!
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WTF
May 12, 2010 15:11:19 GMT -5
Post by riverviewsteve on May 12, 2010 15:11:19 GMT -5
Very Good Account of WTF goindeep. Fine piece of writing. riverviewsteve
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WTF
May 14, 2010 20:13:48 GMT -5
Post by Look'n4Tuna on May 14, 2010 20:13:48 GMT -5
Whoa... that was kinda cool Steve... left me hanging for more. Great writing looking forward to hearing more accounts of W.T.F. in the future. Man I miss the Pier!!
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WTF
May 23, 2010 17:37:40 GMT -5
Post by LintTrap on May 23, 2010 17:37:40 GMT -5
I had my run in with the WTF just last week. Had a blue runner on about a foot long, maybe just over and had him soaking straight down by the pier. Almost lost the rod, scratched it all up on the concrete. By the time I got the rod in my hand, many yards were lost already. There was no slowing this beast down. I had 50# braid and 50# mono. Not a chance. By the time it broke, lost about 100-150 yards of ground to it. Took me under the pier and headed for the big bridge. It was surprising how fast it was, felt the head shakes and just kep going.... WTF......
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WTF
May 25, 2010 11:28:52 GMT -5
Post by jaeforceone on May 25, 2010 11:28:52 GMT -5
i guess i could say the same thing linttrap, about a month ago someone donated a fresh blue runner and the momment i hooked it and dropped down i got hit. my 100# braid got ripped, i guess i didn't lose much line though =p
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WTF
May 25, 2010 18:19:03 GMT -5
Post by LintTrap on May 25, 2010 18:19:03 GMT -5
I can't take all the credit, just sharing a story of a fellow angler on the pier.
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no1painter
Rod Polisher
Retired and don't know how I had time to go to work!
Posts: 102
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WTF
May 25, 2010 19:11:56 GMT -5
Post by no1painter on May 25, 2010 19:11:56 GMT -5
About 50 years ago my younger brother and my dad and myself had spent the night fishing the old wooden bridge at Lemon Bay in Englewood. In those days we would fish with heavy cane poles with steel leader for line under gas lanterns hung over the side just above the water to attract bait fish. We finally gave up and slept in my dad's '56 Chevy wagon and got up the next morning to fix breakfast. As I was helping my dad with the cooking my brother caught a pinfish and my dad told him to bait up one of the big poles with it and walk up and down the catwalk. After a few minutes we heard my brother yelling for help and as we looked up we saw him hanging onto the pole which was bent almost double up under the bridge and he appeared to be trying to chin himself on the butt end. Under the bridge there was a large area of foam and waves as the fish thrashed about. Needless to say we dropped the eggs and bacon and took off running to help him, but before we could reach the pier the hook pulled loose and we could hear the line whistling through the air. We got there too late to see the fish but the hook, still on the end of the 100 lb. leader wire looked as though it had been beaten out on an anvil. I still have one of those same hooks in my tackle box today. It is a nickle plated, 7/0, square shank O'Shaunessy. I've always wondered what it might have been on the other end of that line. Painter
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Snooker
Rod Polisher
Leave a few for me to catch[Mo0:0]
Posts: 124
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WTF
May 28, 2010 8:12:32 GMT -5
Post by Snooker on May 28, 2010 8:12:32 GMT -5
Hitler was one of many rather large hammerhead sharks that roamed the Boga Grande area. He was estimated at around 18' the last I heard long ago. He may be still alive but an old rascal. Hammerheads have an average life expectancy of 25-30 years. Hitler became famous and fishing tale of many when the media had several articles concerning sighting's of a "Monster Hammerhead". Tampa Bay for sure has it share of large hammerheads, bulls, several different species of tigers. The list is long. I had one of those WTF moments last summer, earle eve during one heck of a lightning storm. My wife and I were waiting it out in the truck when my large Penn with a ladyfish fer bait began singing out that ole clicking noise. Reluctently, I walked out in the rain and liquid electricity to check on it. Could not stop the fish, not even close. Not real fast but steady until I finally tightened the drag jus a lil more and it was gone.
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WTF
May 28, 2010 20:01:09 GMT -5
Post by riverviewsteve on May 28, 2010 20:01:09 GMT -5
OK this story isn't about WTF but it's about a baracuda that I seen many years ago when I was stationed at Key West NAS in the Navy. I beleive it was 1963 or 64. I was fishing on if my memory serves me correct on Big Pine Key bridge. The fellow next to me had just caught a large grunt or something like that. He but it on the bottom ring of a brand new wire stringer tied it to a long peice of rope and dropped it in the water. A few minutes later I saw a very large barracuda swimming around out in front of us and I hollered at the guy that he probably better get that fish out of the water cause of that Cuda. Oh he won't bother it he says. What happened next defies imagination. I saw a streak coming across the water and it took the fish and just broke that metal ring in half. That guy was flabbergasted. I bet he paid attention next time. Something to see. I never seen anything move so fast as that Cuda. Had a lot of fun down there. Some of my best Navy days. riverviewsteve
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WTF
Jun 1, 2010 13:43:58 GMT -5
Post by tylerdurden on Jun 1, 2010 13:43:58 GMT -5
Thats awesome no1painter, I used to fish the boardwalk they have out there now about 15 years ago with my dad when we would vaca down there in on lemon bay, used to stay at westons resort.
Never could get our lamps as bright as the old timers out there, but the poles they used were I think cane but when they hooked a snook it wouldnt even bend them, just pluck the fish out of the water
That was some serious snook fishing there and awesome to do cuz you watched all these snook just lined up in your lite, and always keeping your eye open for the occasionally money bait ballyhoo or large shad. Every once in a while you would see one of those monster snook with huge heads come through, never hooked one there but made you a little scared thinking bout hooking into that beast
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WTF
Jun 13, 2010 22:35:34 GMT -5
Post by lostmans1 on Jun 13, 2010 22:35:34 GMT -5
i second snookers post, Ol' Hitler was the hammerhead in that roamed a little further south down around boca grande beaches and in the pass....one old story is that a group of captains back in the 60s eventually hooked into him using chains with big drums filled with dead fish and the shark ended up dragging the jeep parked on land near the lighthouse into the water. but then again, that couldve been my x girlfriend after she got of the Atkins diet.
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