A proud moment for John Michael raising two flags for T&R of a double header.
One point of interest during this event. We ran out of line on the big fish. The idea is to deal with the smaller of the two first. Leave the big fellow on a light drag and hope he does not go too far. While doing this it took some time to get rid of the 700 and place the tag. Next thing John was yelling at me ‘I am running out of line’. This is only the second time it ever happened to me in 45 years of marlin fishing. I told him to up the drag and get some line back but he could not. The spool was spinning in the loop of Dacron but the knot was holding. A good lesson here. Take a turn or two round the arbor before tying the knot. Well we got the fish anyway but there was a moment of panic.
Thats what Big Game fishing is about; hours and hours of boredom and moments of shear panic. 
Archive for July, 2009
WELL done JOHN MICHAEL
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009DOUBLE HEADER 1,000 & 700 both Tagged and Released
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009Things have been quiet for a few days but then it broke loose with a double header today. John Eckland from Ca cancelled a few days and John Michael from London picked them up. His luck was in with a double header. My first in Madeira with positive hook up.
Only a short time before John asked me ” what happens if we get a double ?”. Jokingly I replied, ‘ well you just call the police and tell them you are in trouble’ and thought nothing of it. What happened shortly after was mayhem. But with calm and decorum we dealt with the problem - The big fish WAS the problem !! (double header 700 and 1,000) Two hours later we let her go. Had she been looking like 1400 then we would have been talking about a different subject. I might say one thing here. Years ago on the GBR Jo Jo hooked 10 double headers in a row on the Avalon and caught 20 fish. This was also a lot of fun !!!
FIRST TIME ANGLERS
Saturday, July 18th, 2009Here is a good example of success for a first time angler. This fish also came up tail wrapped and completely out of puff. Turning a fish loose in this condition could result in certain death. We tied a lanyard to the bill and towed the fish about one boat length behind the boat; slow ahaed on one engine. About ten minutes was all it took and the fish started swimming upright and came right up to the boat where it was released to live a good life in the North atlantic. see you next year Fish !!
Adam Jones with his first Blue after two days fishing off Madeira.
THE BITE CONTINUES
Friday, July 17th, 2009There is a steady bite going on in Madeira with good fish being caught every day. The fish are averaging 600 to 800 with some 9/1000 as well.
Barry Larsen from Scotland releases his FIRST Blue ever on his FIRST day of MARLIN fishing EVER. We called it 7/800
Fishing in Madeira
Monday, July 6th, 2009I am often asked; How far is it to the grounds ? My reply is always; We start fishing ten minutes from the Marina Berth. Some of them just roll their eyes and get that bored expression. Well here you go. This is the 850 caught T&R by Luc of Belgium only ten minutes out of Funchal Harbor Madeira. A stunning example of how fantastic this place can be. While fighting the fish we had a spectator fleet of one cruse liner, four whale watching boats and the Funchal Pilot. Please be aware that we are in over 1,000 meters of water right here.
A BETTER LOOK
Friday, July 3rd, 20093rd of JULY 850 Blue Marlin for Luc.
Luc does it again
Friday, July 3rd, 2009Last year Luc caught and released an 800 lb Blue Marlin on the third of July that would have won the World Cup the next day. Now today on the 3rd again he does the same thing. Will his luck hold out for tomorrow. I sincerely hope so.
Luc shakes hands with an 850 Blue today - 3rd of July.