So, we decided last minute to fish in our own back yard. We appreciated the invite on Bodacious (great trip guys), but decided we wanted to swordfish, and left the dock Friday after dinner.
We cruised down to the spur, and put lines in around 10pm. Marlana made a nice dinner for us, and we settled in with a few cocktails for the night.
Around 2am we got the first bite. Marlana made quick work of a YFT. This was a nice suprise, but we only had 4 squid, and now one was gone.
Around 0230, as I sipped on a light beverage, one of the rod tips started to bump. I woke up Marlana, and she harnessed up and locked in to what we thought would be a very nice fish. As soon as she began fighting this fish, one of the other rods went off, and all hell broke loose. I grabbed the rod (it was just the two of us), and tried to subdue a 200# class MAKO that was trying to jump in the boat. This fish was po'd, and putting on quite a show. (I''ll post video later) Meanwhile, Marlana was fighting the swordfish, and worried my crazy shark was going to cut her line...she told me to cut the line so we wouldn't lose the swordie she was strapped to.
Of course, I wasn't about to do that..so I locked down the drag and got the Mako to the boat. So, now I have a rod in one hand...the leader in the other...and an angry green Mako thrashing beside the boat. The fly gaff was ready and waiting to stick this fish...but what would it do after I stuck it?
Marlana wisely counseled me to let the fish go, so we could boat what she thought was a "huge swordie." We did have a gun, but it was in the cabin...unfortunately, the rest of our crew (Wes and Woodley) was in the woods hunting, and there was nobody left to help.
I backed off the drag and let the shark make another run....it started jumping off into the wild blue yonder, and cut the 400# mono on one of its aerial displays.. Very exciting...but now back to the swordie.
I decided I was going to try to harpoon this thing...since I have never used the 'poon, but needed to get my money's worth. Well, I put this thing together, and it was as long as the damn boat. I felt like a pole vaulter, and decided to stick with the flyer.
Anyways...Marlana made quick work of what turned out to be the biggest swordfish yet on the "Blue Marlana." I wired it and stuck the Fly gaff in its gills. The next step was the hardest...getting it in the boat. I have pulled 100# plus swordies over the gunnel, but couldn't budge this fish.
Eventually, Marlana and I managed to pull it through the tuna door. I wanted to get out the block and tackle (another piece of equipment I have never used), but there were sharks circling, and we wanted to preserve our fish the best we could.
I have no idea about what this fish weighed. My guess is somewhere in the 200# range. I had to cut it up on the boat, as we couldn't move it, or fit it in the box. Any ideas from those of you that have caught some big ones??
So, now it's 0330, and we have only one squid left. We netted a few flying fish, and put the lines back out. We did get two more hits on the rigged flying fish, but they came unbuttoned.
The next morning we were pretty tired, and planned on trolling the spur, then heading for the barn. We put out the rods, and around 0700 we had the biggest blue marlin I have ever seen crashing the left flat line. I happened to be on deck, and droppedthe balyhoo into its throat. I let the fish eat for what seemed like an eternity, then came tight on this massive creature.
The fish then peeled off line like it was a zebco. I immediately turned to chase the fish, but the 50 wide was already down to a 100 or so yards left. Marlana got ready for what was going to be an epic battle, but it never happened. The main line ended up breaking near the leader, and we were left with heart ache.
The fish hit the same rod she fought the swordie on. Typically, we never billfish with the sword rods, but we only took 5 rods with us...and made the stupid mistake that likely cost us this fish. Won't happen again.
After that, we heard all the reports from the north so we headed up to the nipple with the rest of the fleet. We got a few bites, but didn't find our marlin. Congrats to all of those that did.
Sorry for the long report...I keep these for my own journal, and use them for future trips.
Fishing is hot....Weather is not...get out there and fish. The deer can wait.
