Captain's Blog

June is the month that usually has calm winds and good visibility water. It's also the month where we target bigger cuta, find yellow fin tuna,  sailfish, prodigal son, natal snoek and wahoo. Tempretures are colder and it's a good month to plan a trip.

This year was different, and I get reminded once again why I can never get tired of this game. To me the hunt is where the challenge is, and being my 15th year here, I had to dig deep this time.

I was joined once again by Owen, Dane, Chris and Laurence, four experienced spearos, three of which came in October last year. Last time we shot some good fish. (see blog of October 2024)

It's a pleasure working with people who are veterans in the game. Guys who have pretty much seen it all. Whilst it's a pleasure, it's also a challenging time for me because I've got to put them on the fish. The internet has made the world a small place, with so many options out there, and so many people vying for business. We live for that one chance where memories are made.

Day one was rough. 3.5 meter swells and poor visibility. Most wouldn't even have attempted it. Wind and rain didn't make it easy. We found some fish and Farida prepared the cuta as only she could do. Dinner put smiles on faces after a long day.

Day two was a blowout. No launch. Spearfishing stories with : Remember that trip when..... were the order of the day, with memories and laughs keeping spirits up. What a great group.

Day three was better, but still poor visibility with a thermocline and dark deeper down, sharks who were hungry and fighting for our fish were a menace, and we had to work hard for fish.

Day four was a normal day and conditions on the surface had improved dramatically. Wind had dropped, spirits were up. As it was the last day, the pressure was on to find the fish, and potentially save the trip, where fish were in hiding, and deep!

In October last year two marlin were seen, but only fleetingly, leaving spearos with a thought of what just happened. Owen was one who saw a marlin underwater, his first in 30 plus years of diving, and thousands of dives.

June 17th, 2025 was his day. The Black Marlin came under Dane and Chris, while they were distracted, and by the time they saw it, Owen was already diving down to it's depth. The flasher had attracted it, and it went straight for it. (a flasher is a device that has mirrors and objects that catch light and resemble a series of flashes as the sunlight catches it. It's designed to attract fish, that come in to have a look)

As they were diving with reel guns, and a backup belt reel, I threw them the float with bungee attached. This is done to tie your equipment to, so you don't loose everything. The group came together and assisted Owen, like only experienced, seasoned spearfishermen could do. They worked as a team and helped subdue the fish.

Owen had put in a good shot, and what followed was 45 minutes of anguish as the marlin was slowly subdued until a 2nd shot could seal the trophy.

What a moment, and what a day to be alive. It's good to just be out there, at sea. Better when you getting fish for the table, and even better when someone gets their bucket list fish!

Thank you guys for giving a day to remember. It's not often you hear of someone shooting a marlin, and getting it!