Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:36 pm
Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:47 pm
Tue Aug 27, 2013 10:55 pm
Tue Aug 27, 2013 10:57 pm
Tue Aug 27, 2013 11:10 pm
Wed Aug 28, 2013 2:29 am
Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:02 am
Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:55 am
big fish wrote:USA
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Wed Aug 28, 2013 10:25 am
Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:25 pm
Wed Aug 28, 2013 11:16 pm
Martin46585 wrote:It really is a fantastic fish, and remember fishing for them years ago, at the time being told that all bill fish are to be returned in US waters, so if the fish was at the boat after 18 mins, why feel the need to kill it.
Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:07 pm
Dragonfly wrote:Martin46585 wrote:It really is a fantastic fish, and remember fishing for them years ago, at the time being told that all bill fish are to be returned in US waters, so if the fish was at the boat after 18 mins, why feel the need to kill it.
The majority of blue marlin are returned especially if they are estimated at under 200lb. In fact another marlin on another charter was caught that day, estimated at 230lb but was released. Almost all are tagged and released in Hawaiian bill fish tournaments as is the case with most IGFA rule controlled tourneys worldwide. This fish was the biggest caught so far this year in Hawaii. At the end of the day, it was my call, I could have had it released. It was my first blue and there is an unwritten rule that your first is for the bucket list and the trophy is yours. For that matter, specimens here have to be killed to be ratified. I have caught numerous tope here above 50lb and one approx 70lb. I wouldnt ever dream of killing one for a little badge.
On this charter the crew gain the spoils, I gave the fish to them (tricky to ship back to Laytown), they would sell the fish at auction and its value would be $5-$8 per pound. I have the bill which will be mounted and shipped to me. The two crew work on this boat owned by someone else. They essentially work for tips and fish when the weight is above 100lb for tuna , wahoo etc. They worked damned hard for it too. You have to have very experienced crew to successfully haul a fish like this. The skipper worked the boat frantically when the fish dived deep to get it up again, the mate shouting directions to me and the skipper constantly.. All very frenetic, but three guys working together.
I hope to head back there in January, for sure I will have another go, but unless its a monster, it will be released to swim another day.Thats if of course I get lucky again..
Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:49 pm
Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:51 pm