I have had many enquiries in the past about Marlin Fishing. One guy called to say he would like to charter me for half a day to catch a marlin. Other people who really don’t have a cooking clue what it is about would like to tick that fish off their bucket list. I want to catch a marlin is something I hear often. This article is written to guide, educate, and inform these people what Marlin Fishing is all about.
I don’t profess to know everything about marlin fishing, but have spent some time doing just that, educating myself. I have read up plenty, spoken to others who are dedicated Marlin fishermen, fished with them, hunted them on my own and am currently in one of the Grander Marlin capitals of the world. I only have caught 3 of my own marlin, when I was in control of the fishing rod, but have been on boats where either I skippered or was crew to at least another 20 marlins, and lost more than that. It’s a lot tougher than what most people think. This is our first season up at Bazaruto Archipelago, and already have learned a lot again. FV Bounty is rigged specifically for Marlin Fishing so we will be using the boat here more for this, and hope to put some good fish on Instagram, before we release them. We now have the tools to fight a big fish. I will be back next year, and still plan to release a fish over 600 pounds in this season.
The angler is only one part of a team. The skipper (captain) needs to know where to go, what baits to put, where to find bait (usually skipjack tuna, or yellowfin tuna). He needs to have local knowledge, including where the fish are to be found. These are open water apex predators, that don’t live in one place- they roam around and can travel from continent to continent, for example, Africa to Australia, and back. He needs to be mindful of what the current is doing to help him position the boat when fighting a big fish- up current, or down current. Then, the deck hand needs to be proficient- the tackle needs to be 100%, because a big fish will test it, and there is nothing worse than spending all the time hunting for that fish, only to find it, hook it, and then loose it due to tackle failure. He needs to be sharp, and be wideawake. The angler should be fit, and conditioned to fight a big fish for many hours. Even though you fight a marlin from a fighting chair, some fish are difficult to control, and one needs to have the mindset to fight, if you want to be successful. Some marlin are easier than others, and many a story is told about some that just don’t give up. We had a fish on for 6 hours, three times under the boat, in sight of the leader, and still lost the fish. Lastly, the person who drives the chair should be wide awake, diligent, and always know where the marlin is so that the angler can focus on keeping tension on the line always. In addition to this one, or two people should be ready to flick, pop and do whatever to catch a live bait. In these parts of the ocean, it is the preferred way to catch marlin.
So now we have the crew sorted out- what’s next? What is marlin fishing about? - most people ask me if we will catch any by catch whilst out marlin fishing? Already, that’s the wrong mindset. Why are we marlin fishing guys? - to catch by catch? Marlin fishing needs a dogged determination to have a chance at the ultimate apex predator, and the ultimate angling fish. It does not come easily. You must be prepared to put in the hours, put in the cash, endure many hours of nothing…….
When you see that Marlin come in on a bait with the lights on- then you will understand why some people are obsessed with this fish. Johnny Harel fished 23 days continuously off Bazaruto before he got the all Africa record. He was coming home, on the final stretch in front of the lighthouse off Bazaruto, when that fish jumped on a small Bonita smoker (Kona) in the late afternoon. He then fought it into the night, and finally got it, and was home by one o clock in the morning. That doesn’t include the fact that he came year after year before that and put in the days and hours.
Duarte Rato, who skippered here on that marlin of Est 1100 pounds released two weeks ago, fishes probably 60 days over an 80-day period specifically for marlin - he puts in the days/ hours- been doing it for 10 years. Nick McDonald, who weighed a 945-pound marlin two days ago, after the fish died on him, has been coming here for more than 10 years this time of the year- he has put in his time.
Others, like Kevin on Big Bob, has been coming here for 6 seasons, and fishes 60 days per year off his own boat. He is looking for the elusive 1000 pounder, and has yet to get it. That guy is so due, it’s frightening how much time, cash, and effort he has put in. I hope he gets it- he sure deserves one. We all still plug away in the hope that one day we will get an opportunity at fighting the mother of all fights! The grander Marlin are here- weve seen it in the last two weeks. Until that time, I’ll see you out there as long as I have a likeminded guest who thinks the same, with a determination and the budget to drive that goal….. Marlin fishermen are different- it’s all that matters.