Archive for August, 2009

MADEIRA SEASON GETS BETTER

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

This is now the end of August and the season is getting better. This is fantastic and like seasons 15 years ago. it looks like it will go well into September and this was not unheard of back when MADEIRA got started as the hottest destination for Giant Atlantic Blues. Thing is there has been no real peak in the bite but a steady stream of fish with hardly a day that goes by when a fish is not caught or seen. And the average size at the moment is very good. 7/900 the norm.

Kiwi Mark Taylor with a hands on approach to his first marlin ever at est 850+ lb.

Kiwi Mark Taylor with a hands on approach to his first marlin ever at est 850+ lb.

KATHERINE’S DREAM COMES TRUE

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

Ever since getting her first taste of marlin fishing last year my daughter Katherine has had the dream of catching her first marlin and maybe a world record. Today her dream came true but she decided to tag and release the fish. It was so beautiful, she said. The estimated 600 would have broken the record. She said to me later, ‘ Dad I dont want to break the record, I want to smash it’. One good reason to let a 600 go. It was the Best Days fishing in my life. BTW. we were one for three. the other two were beasts. Yesterday Wayne Whippin was 4 for 6. The bite is on in Madeira. I think every boat was flying a marlin release flag. This is like the old days; the bite will continue right into September and maybe get better. and also BTW. Katherine has just turned 15 and was fishing on 80. She wants another shot at it next year. “Please Dad” —- How could I refuse ? So far she has spent a total of two and a half days marlin fishing. Lucky !!!! img_4009_2

GEORGE STAROS

Monday, August 17th, 2009

George Staros passed away last Friday Aug 14 at his home in Florida. George and his brother Bill were known as the Golden Greeks and dominated the tuna fishing scene in Florida for years with the most famous of anglers, Bill Carpenter and Jo Jo Del Guercio.

L-R. G Hallam, P Bristow, B Staros, Jo Jo & Mrs Del Guercio, George Staros with Jo Jo's first Grander.

L-R. G Hallam, P Bristow, B Staros, Jo Jo & Mrs Del Guercio, George Staros with Jo Jo's first Grander.

A NICE MADEIRAN BLUE FOR PETER FOX

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Getting good images of Big Blues can be difficult in particular if you are short handed on board. They always want to run away from the boat before they jump.

800 lb Blue caught by Peter Fox.

800 lb Blue caught by Peter Fox.

PETER FOX GETS HIS BIGGEST BLUE SO FAR.

Monday, August 17th, 2009

After trying for years, Peter finally got a good one. Having seen some monster marlin off Madeira and having his share of bad luck he finally made it to the 800 lb club.

Peter Fox joins the 800 lb Club.

Peter Fox joins the 800 lb Club.

DREAMS COME TRUE IN MADEIRA

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Randy Allen from Texas came to Madeira and the day before he was due to fish he came down to the boat. One of the first questions he asked me was ‘ Do you catch any Hatchet Marlin here ? My reply was, well I could count on two hands the number I have caught in the 12 years I have been fishing here. Mind you I don’t really target Hatchet Marlin either. The next morning at the boat he asked me again and said he really wanted to see one as he realized they will most likely be named as a new species very soon. Both Randy and his Daughter, Porter were very interested in catching the elusive Hatchet. We left the dock and would you know, twenty minutes later his dream came true. All I can say is, that would be a hard act to follow.img_3096

JERRY WITH A 600 BLUE

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

After trying for two years Jerry Pezzeminti finally got another 600. He has his sights on a Grander but all it need is good luck and keeping at it. img_3314