My First Marlin! PICS PICS PICS!!

we went last year outa hatteras nc ,good time something u never 4get . caught our limit on dolphin 5 wahoos catch and realise sailfish looks like u had a awesome day .wished i could have caught a marlin.

 

Yes, deep sea/ salt water fishing is an awesome experience! I'm one of those fortunate few that get to go fishing at least once a week (if the swells are good, no point in going out and getting beat up by the ocean!).

It's an experience just being out so far and not seeing any bit of land and the fact that the ocean is such a mystery you never know what your gonna get or see.

In one day, you'll see giant rays swimming past, a 12 foot Hammerhead (intimidating), whales slapping fin, dolphins chasing your boat, huge sea turtles, and of course the countless amount of fish!

When I get back from this deployment and you guys that haven't had the opportunity to troll or even fish inshore, look me up! I got reels and an ocean that are calling out daily!

 

they are actually quite good, but looked down upon for keeping. they are a fantastic sport fish! fisherman go years without having the honor to hook one these! i consider myself incredibly lucky, and incredibly stupid!

you are able to keep the white marlin (the one I got), however, they are federally protected as a migratory fish and require a special permit. i didn't realize it, but taking him out of the water like we did for the photo op is illegal. i scratch one up for a learning experience if i ever get another hookup. and just in case some are wondering, we did drag him along the boat at a very slow speed to make sure he got his strength back and was able to swim off on his own (which he did very strongly i might add!).

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm just glad to share my experience!

 

Grats on the catch. Would be out doing that myself right now, but the damn oil is fouling up all the fishing. (&#!(@&&!!!!!

 

Congrats on a great bill. Still no Marlin for me...only Sails. We were out on Saturday (19th). Started at Edisto Banks in 130 feet and trolled towards the 226 hole. Deepest we got was 330 to 350. It was slow out there according to radio chatter and what we caught (1 phin and 1 cuda). Where did you pick him up and how deep? Might have to try that area next time out. As for taking it out of the water....it is hard not to when you get your first.

 

Hey Walt,

I've been seeing a lot of sails out there as well, but no luck as far as hooking one. I put in at Shim Creek and head out in a north eastern direction out past the charleston 60. Went out Friday the 18th and picked him up in about 210 feet of water. Trolled all up and down the stream and had no luck and as soon as we went in we couldn't keep fish off our lines. I tend to stay away from Edisto bc of the many boats out there, and I've been having great luck as far as finding weed lines for the dolphin further north. When I get back we'll def have to go out and do some fishing!

 

I put in on Yonges Island, (south of Charleston near Hollywood) and head out of the north edisto. EB looked like a parking lot Saturday. It will be a longer run for us, but sounds like fishing a little north may have better results. We didn't catch anything until we headed in to about 140, right before we called it a day. No good weed lines at EB that we could find...just spotty pieces here and there. Probably hold off this weekend as it is calling for 3 to 4's and really don't feel like messing with that. Might go weekend after this one. If so I will let you know how we do. You on Charlestonfishing.com?

 

I'm not a member on charlestonfishing but i do check out the reports on there. Your right, the ride out is longer, we usually put in around 3 or 3:30ish. About 2 hour ride with good seas, I don't go out unless is 3's and below. Preferably I like riding out on glass, can't stand gettin my ass whooped goin out!

Give it a try, headin out towards the ledge. I can't make promises, but EVERY time I fished that area, I've always run into some great weed lines that always produce fish. 3 days before I caught the marlin, I saw 3 sails that chased the bait but no bites. All my catches have been on ballyhoo with green or pink pre-rigged sea witches all picked up at Haddrells. I'm sure you probably know what your doing better than I am (still pretty green), but a great guy to talk to is Scott over in the West Ashley shop, he's the guy that told me about trolling further north.

 

Yeah will def. try farther north next time. I will have to pick up some pink and green witches as all I have are blue and white ones right now. To me being "Green" or a Pro doesn't matter..... seeing as it doesn't matter to the fish when they bite who is on the other end of the line!
Catch'em up!
Walt

 

KOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL

 

That is awesome and those were good action shots even of the mahi

 

Thats awesome man! I can't wait to get offshore again

 

Great job and huge congrats on the Marlin!

Last month I went out to LaPaz Mexico intending to get into a Tuna bite but we were about a week or two early. After 2 days of catching nothing but bait fish, I hooked my first marlin on some cut bonita. Never thought I would actually pull it in because I was only using 50lb line on a Diawa 50 reel with a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. The fight was awesome, amazing to see/feel the power of the marlin. It dragged us around in circles for what seemed like forever. After two hours of fighting, we put it into the boat. Definitely a bucket list item for me. Next year I'm beefing up my gear and going after a blue marlin...