First 2016 Marlin

At 5am on Sunday the 10^th January, Frans, Deon, Barney, Annette, Andries and I launched “Trinity” out of Richards Bay. We were hoping to find a marlin for the first time anglers. The water was clean from the shallows so while we ran out, I put out a high speed lure… just in case.

When we were near the ledge, Frans slowed the boat down so that we could drop the riggers and get the lures out. I started retrieving the hi speed lure I had out and felt that there was quite a bit of weight on the end of the line. There was a fish on it. Deon took the rod and after a bit of an awkward fight on the heavy rod, he had a 7kg dorado on the boat. Not a bad start to the morning. 

Barney with his first Blue Marlin

We went about setting the 5 lures spread while Frans trolled deeper. We headed out to about 600m then turned shallower. There were a few interesting readings on the sounder at 250m to 350m so we headed back to that area. 

In 375m, I had just finished adjusting the left flatline Ruckus when a bill and dorsal fin came up behind it. The lure disappeared in a ball of foam as the reel took off. Everyone grabbed a rod to clear the other lines. The fish came flying out the water and started greyhounding away from us. The line looked as if it was melting off the reel and by the time everything was cleared, we were into the backing. Barney was on strike and was quickly fitted with the standup harness. Frans backed up the boat and most of the line was put back on the reel. The fish sounded for a short while but soon came to the surface where I could get hold of the leader. The fish was pretty tired and so it was tame on the leader. We took a few pics of the +-130kg blue before the hooks were removed and the fish was turned lose. Great stuff!

It was still early, so we were confident that we would have some more action. The spread was reset and trolling commenced. Frans went into the cabin to rustle up some breakfast so I took over the helm. I tacked over the area where we had found the showings, hoping to find more life. I was busy with the inward tack when Frans came out the cabin with a scrambled egg and toast breakfast. I scanned the area in front of the boat to check for other boat traffic so that we could sit down to eat without having a collision. 

Deon fighting standup

Deon's first Blue Marlin

I took one last at the lures when I saw a big splash on the centre rigger lure. As I shouted, the rigger popped and the reel smoked off! Breakfast was put on hold as everyone dashed for a rod and cleared lines. The fish started tailwalking in a big arc behind the boat and ended up running parallel with us. There was a big belly in the line which kept tension on the fish. Deon was the next person in the hot seat and got strapped in to the standup harness. After explaining the drill to him, he went to work putting line back on the reel. Frans backed up slowly and soon the reel was pretty full. The fish sounded and sulked down deep for a while, taking a bit of line as it went. Deon was taking a lot of strain and so I put the reel into low gear for him. After some moral support, Deon got a second wind and started to inch the stubborn fish to the surface. A short while later, the bird came out the water and I grabbed the leader. The fish behaved itself while we took some photos. Deon took the bill from me and turned his first marlin lose. We all guessed the blue at around 110kg. Just a bit smaller than the first one. What t great day!

The lines went in again and trolling continued. This time we were able to eat breakfast without and interruptions. The day wore on without any more action so we aimed for the harbour and trolled shallower. We were just passing over the 50m ledge when I noticed a movement to the starboard side of the long rigger lure. All of a sudden, a black marlin of abound 300Lbs came hurtling out of the water towards the boat. As I shouted, the fish jumped again, this time under the rigger line and landed just short of the flat line. With the distance and trajectory of the previous two jumps, we all expected the next jump to be into the boat and Frans had already ducked in anticipation. Luckily the fish decided otherwise and disappeared under the wake. Everyone was on alert, scanning the lures but unfortunately the fish never came back. Oh well, that’s how it goes. My congrats go to Barney and Deon for joining the marlin club.