O FFSH O R E
BLUEWATER JOURNAL
BOBBY BYRD & C APT. JOHN COCHR ANE
7KHUH DUH ORWV RI ZD\V WR 7 KHUH DUH ORWV R RI ZD\V WWR ORVH ELJ ILVK« ORVH ELJ ILVK« It was a hot summer day with no wind, flat calm seas and lots of bait around the deepwater oil rig about 100 miles offshore. We happened to catch a bonito and put it out for live bait. Not too long after, the bait started acting real nervous and we got a strike. When the line came tight, a 500 pound blue marlin came up jumping. As our lady angler started fighting the fish, the line was very tight and had plenty of pressure on it. We continued to back down on the fish, gaining line quickly, but something was wrong. There was still something on the line but it was not acting like a big blue marlin. After a few minutes we found out what was on the line. We could see the bait and it was still alive, but on the hook was an identical bonito, half-digested! Our fish had swallowed the live bait and when we set the hook, it lodged into a bonito already in the marlin’s stomach. This prevented the marlin and, as we applied pressure, we simply pulled both baits out of the stomach and right out of the fish’s mouth. What are the chances of that happening? Talk about bad luck! This happened using a J-hook, back before the widespread use of circle hooks became more popular and in some cases
mandatory. There is really no way to prevent what happened, sometimes weird things occur and there is just not a lot you can do about it. Other times things happen that can be avoided. Here are a few examples we have experienced that could have been avoided with the right procedures. Trolling by a mooring buoy near a rig, a blue marlin came up and crashed the right rigger, pulled drag and came off. The captain spins the boat around and makes another pass by the buoy. Here comes the marlin again
Double hookset destroyed by 80 pound blue marlin.
ɰɉȐɑȨȐȽȃȐ ɜȣȐ ɰɜɑǸɄɑȇȨȽǸɑɴ
A real find on the Sea of Cortez, Serena Residences is a world-class experience with its private marina, its championship golf course and its elegant residences. Still, what makes Serena extraordinary, is its unsurpassed hospitality.
All inclusive package from
$ 725* 4 nights at a luxury residence 3 days saltwater fishing All meals, airport transportation, fresh bait, tackle, fishing licenses and taxes included
www.serenaresidences.com For more information and group specials: (310) 995-9283 jeff@serenaresidences.com * Rate per person, based on quadruple occupancy. Airfare not included.
36 July 2010 / www.TSFMAG.com
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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