Scott Wessels’ First Mako on Fly! 40lb Shark on Blados Crease Fly with Nick Curcione

Phil Friedman reports that Nick Curcione and Scott Wessels from Bears Den Fly Co had a productive day fly fishing for Mako sharks. They managed to get Scott his very first Mako shark on a fly rod — a solid 40-pound fish that ate a Blados Crease Fly on a 9-weight Sage R8 Power rod.

Later they chased birds off Mission Beach, which turned out to be small bonito.

Catching a Mako on a fly rod is a serious challenge. These fast, powerful sharks are incredibly strong and acrobatic, with sharp teeth that require precise casting and a solid strip set. Landing one on a 9wt fly rod is a real accomplishment, especially as a first Mako.

It was especially cool because Nick Curcione was Phil’s university professor back in 1983 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Nick is a respected outdoor writer and author of The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing, with decades of experience in the sport.

#SaltwaterFlyFishing #MakoShark #FirstMakoOnFly #BladosCreaseFly #SageR8 #BigGameFlyFishing #FlyFishing #SharkOnFly #BearsDenFlyCo #NickCurcione #FlyFishingAdventure #SouthernCaliforniaFishing #BonitoFishing #9wtFlyRod #OffshoreFlyFishing