Metro blue marlin
I'd been itching for a fish in the new boat, and after looking at the water temps and weather forecast Thursday last week was the ideal time. Hadn't had much of a chance to chase metro billfish in the last 18 months or so and this looked like a perfect opportunity.
Forecasts were spot on, less than 10 knots for most of the day, with only some swell left over from the previous few days. Beautiful clear water meant ideal conditions for blue marlin.
Trolled around the FAD's for the morning then headed further out in search of the elusive billfish. As per the SST charts we found a nice temp break up to nearly 22 degrees, and just after lunch our luck changed. A decent sized blue marlin, estimated around 180kg, crashed the short lure. It missed the hook, and we waited, hopeful of another chance. About thirty seconds later the shotgun line snaps out of the clip and we are on.
We felt we had a solid hookup but after a couple of minutes the fish decided to turn on some typical blue marlin antics, greyhounding across our wake, and with a jump and headshake the hooks were thrown.
Disappointed at losing the fish but very happy to have raised and hooked one this early in the season.
.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Great work mate! Promising
Great work mate! Promising start to the season for sure
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Ahhh, bloody shame
I'm trying to get up to Exmouth in January for a proper go with my new-ish boat, last couple of winters down at Winderabandi have been fizzers, apart from the sails. Iust have to fit it in with family obligations and other peoples rosters. Break out the 37kg gear!
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Nice work mate! I'm
Nice work mate! I'm surprised at the water temp so wide and this early.
Love the West!
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Water temps
I'd been watching for a while, they are pretty decent for this time of year.
Rick
Posts: 1104
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Hopeful
Hoping this a sign of things to come for this season
Well done on getting out and raising one
PGFC Member
Wayne77
Posts: 59
Date Joined: 10/12/15
nice one , can I ask what
nice one , can I ask what type of boat she is (boat that is)?
I have been toying with the idea of trolling out wide also but know sweet FA about game fishing but need to try some thing other than the usual bottom bashing .
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Game fishing
There is some decent game fishing off Perth at different times of the year. Trolling around the FADs over summer and spring is good for dolphin fish. There's also southern bluefin tuna, striped tuna and the occasional yellowfin. Not a lot of them but blue and striped marlin can be found at the trench.
Boat is a 58 Viking.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
58 Viking, wow! Wouldnt be
58 Viking, wow! Wouldnt be many of those in Perth would there?
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1301
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Nice work Shane!
Nice work Shane!
Robpado
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 18/01/18
Bloody good news, nice and
Bloody good news, nice and early and some warm water out wide!
Travis p
Posts: 727
Date Joined: 28/07/16
great work
seen you out there nice boat.
wont catch em sitting at home!
Meeuwissen
Posts: 744
Date Joined: 29/03/13
Were there any sign of Dolies
Around I'm gonna have a crack on Tuesday Wednesday?
Down the Line
Catch the Experience
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
No dollies
The RecFishWest FADs were being deployed the same day, although I had heard some anecdotal reports of dollies.