erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) Gday Raiders, Thought I would drop a note on the board as the marlin cherry was broken yesterday never to be the same again! Fishing with good mates and raiders, Sandgrouper and Chewie on my boat (whilst I fish with them individually all the time, it had been over a year since we were on the boat for a session together due to our lives, families, work etc) we started collecting livies in MH early which was like Pitt St after the sun came up, but managed a tankful of yakkas and a few nice size slimies. My cursed livewell pump gives up the ghost so in goes the deck wash hose to keep those needy slimies alive. The plan was to give the inshore reefs and a wreck or two up north a go for kings before heading wide to drag some lures around to head home. We managed a rat or two each and felt it was time to make a call. Stay inshore or go wider. Decisive, the decision wasn't, but we made the call in the end to go wide that seemed like a good one given the conditions and that there had been a few emerging reports of marlin appearing in shooting range. We headed off to 70fa or so and started to pull some lures along. Great looking water, so I set my fish alarm on my sounder and we started marking a lot of bait and would stop at the bigger bait balls and pull some slimies up with a jig. We would circle around bait to see if there was anything bigger in the neighborhood and then would continue south. Given that we are all tackle addicts, the call was made to bring only three rods each which in my case was a snapper rod, jig rod and a heavy spin rod (excluding the of course the baitcaster always rigged with a jig for livies and the squid rod.... Oh that is five rods....) as we were covering a few bases in the day. So with the heaviest gearon board out, it was still a lightish arsenal out, I was trolling with my jig master/Stella 8000 with 50lb braid and the guys with similar light stuff out as well as a couple of teasers making noise and bubbles. A couple of hours in, my rod gets bumped, then nothing. I was thinking it would have been a little stripey or something, and I continue to watch the rod.......... Bang.... Off it goes, I could not believe it, a real marlin hooked up!!!!!! FFFAAARRRCCCCCCCCCCCCC... We keep motoring forward (autopilot for trolling is the best!!!!) as the guys cleared the rods like experts. The first run in a screamer, literally, my poor little stella was in agony as a good 150 to 200m of line vanishes from its shiny spool. My heart rate hits the roof and I have no idea what I am doing but I am loving it. Not wanting to look like a dill, I was in good company as it was our first marlin hook up. Something we had talked about and planned for so long now. The fish jumps a few times, screams off to the horizon and I am left holding this ridiculously little twig of a rod and reel to hang onto it with. Sandgrouper took the wheel, Chewie readied the boat, takes a few snaps and gets me a gimbal belt. The banter on the boat is the funniest part as i am trying to focus and these guys are giving me grief about this and that, hysterical....... The fight took 45mins or so and ended after a stalemate where it was doing doing circles and us trying to stay at 45 degrees to it. Chewie now gloved up grabs the leader boat side as I step back to the other gunnel and we get an eyeful of a magnificient striped marlin all lit up and then the hook pulls on it boatside. A very easy release for the three of us. Shouts and laughter all round for an experience and a huge sense of satisfaction and anticipation for the season ahead. We learned a lot from that 45 mins, how to manage the boat, where to better place the gear you need and the fact that you are better off with your mates there if you want to chase these beasts etc. just an amazing result. We estimated it was about 80kgs and about 2.2m long. It swam off looking a little sulky but in good form. Water was 22.7c. Whilst only a little one, I can see why people gets so obsessed with them. I one of those tragics now. As we were all at sea.... excuse the pun, the photography at the end isn't much chop as we were so busy and over the moon. I just can't wait to get back out there and give it another try. Cheers Erroll Edited January 8, 2013 by erroll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.e.p.d Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Gday Raiders, Thought I would drop a note on the board as the marlin cherry was broken yesterday never to be the same again! Fishing with good mates Sandgrouper and Chewie on my boat (whilst I fish with them individually all the time, it had been over a year since we were on the boat for a session together due to our lives, families, work etc) we started collecting livies in MH early which was like Pitt St after the sun came up, but managed a tankful of yakkas and a few nice size slimies. My cursed livewell pump gives up the ghost so in goes the deck wash hose to keep those needy slimies alive. The plan was to give the inshore reefs and a wreck or two up north a go for kings before heading wide to drag some lures around to head home. We managed a rat or two each and felt it was time to make a call. Stay inshore or go wider. Decisive, the decision wasn't, but we made the call in the end to go wide that seemed like a good one given the conditions and that there had been a few emerging reports of marlin appearing in shooting range. We headed off to 70fa or so and started to pull some lures along. Great looking water, so I set my fish alarm on my sounder and we started marking a lot of bait and would stop at the bigger bait balls and pull some slimies up with a jig. We would circle around bait to see if there was anything bigger in the neighborhood and then would continue south. Given that we are all tackle addicts, the call was made to bring only three rods each which in my case was a snapper rod, jig rod and a heavy spin rod (excluding the of course the baitcaster always rigged with a jig for livies and the squid rod.... Oh that is five rods....) as we were covering a few bases in the day. So with the heaviest gearon board out, it was still a lightish arsenal out, I was trolling with my jig master/Stella 8000 with 50lb braid and the guys with similar light stuff out as well as a couple of teasers making noise and bubbles. A couple of hours in, my rod gets bumped, then nothing. I was thinking it would have been a little stripey or something, and I continue to watch the rod.......... Bang.... Off it goes, I could not believe it, a real marlin hooked up!!!!!! FFFAAARRRCCCCCCCCCCCCC... We keep motoring forward (autopilot for trolling is the best!!!!) as the guys cleared the rods like experts. The first run in a screamer, literally, my poor little stella was in agony as a good 150 to 200m of line vanishes from its shiny spool. My heart rate hits the roof and I have no idea what I am doing but I am loving it. Not wanting to look like a dill, I was in good company as it was our first marlin hook up. Something we had talked about and planned for so long now. The fish jumps a few times, screams off to the horizon and I am left holding this ridiculous little twig of a rod and reel to hang onto it with. Sandgrouper took the wheel, Chewie readied the boat, takes a few snaps and gets me a gimbal belt. The banter on the boat is the funniest part as i am trying to focus and these guys are giving me grief about this and that, histerical....... The fight took 45mins or so and ended after a stalemate where it was doing doing circles and us trying to stay at 45 degrees to it. Chewie now gloved up grabs the leader boat side as I step back to the other gunnel and we get an eyeful of a magnificient striped marlin all lit up and then the hook pulls on it boatside. A very easy release for the three of us. Shouts and laughter all round for an experience and a huge sense of satisfaction and anticipation for the season ahead. We learned a lot from that 45 mins, how to manage the boat, where to better place the gear you need and the fact that you are better off with your mates there if you want to chas these beasts etc. just an amazing result. We estimated it was about 80kgs and about 2.2m long. It swam off looking a little sulky but in good form. Water was 22.7c. Whilst only a little one, I can see why people gets so obsessed with them. I one of those tragics now. As we were all at sea.... excuse the pun, the photography at the end isn't much chop as we were so busy but I'll add a photo or two shortly. I just can't wait to get back out there and give it another try. Cheers Erroll great work on your first beakie erroll im sure it will be the first of many! they seem to be a bit hit and miss ATM from all the reports ive heard! top effort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheungo8 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Awsome effort mate hope there is plenty more to come... Can't wait for my first I'm one step closer after having a strike and a follower yesterday as well. Do u have outriggers on ur boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 great work on your first beakie erroll im sure it will be the first of many! they seem to be a bit hit and miss ATM from all the reports ive heard! top effort Thanks mate, still buzzing..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Awsome effort mate hope there is plenty more to come... Can't wait for my first I'm one step closer after having a strike and a follower yesterday as well. Do u have outriggers on ur boat? Thanks CHUCKS. Sounds like yours won''t be far away at all at that rate. I do have outriggers, Taco telescopics, but I did not have them on yesterday. I definitely will next time so we can have 5 lures out rather than the 3 we had yesterday. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REEF MAGIC CHARTERS Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Well done Errol that's great work.. Its very addictive...now the hard bit is trying to stay out of the tackle shop!! Cheers Damo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Well done Errol that's great work.. Its very addictive...now the hard bit is trying to stay out of the tackle shop!! Cheers Damo Thanks Damo, your advice has helped heaps. I know what you mean on the tackle front, I have more tackle for this sort of fishing than any bloke can justify who has only caught one!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeh191 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Congratulations guys,top team effort.You guys definitely made a good call to head offshore,just wish we could have got our hooks to stick yesterday. Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 What an awesome day! The power and speed of that thing was a classic! That poor little stella! I'm hooked now and can't wait to get out there again. Next time i'll be more confident knowing sooner or later one will pop up in the spread! I'm so glad that one stuck! You handled it like a champ! All that preparation paid off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 What an awesome day! The power and speed of that thing was a classic! That poor little stella! I'm hooked now and can't wait to get out there again. Next time i'll be more confident knowing sooner or later one will pop up in the spread! I'm so glad that one stuck! You handled it like a champ! All that preparation paid off! Thanks mate. Excellent day again. Glad the band was back together for it this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Congratulations guys,top team effort.You guys definitely made a good call to head offshore,just wish we could have got our hooks to stick yesterday. Cheers Mike Thanks Mike. After the bluefin run this year, this has set a new high water mark! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickman Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 well done mate your gone for all money now many sleepless nights planing your next hookup cheers gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Thanks Gary, I love my fishing in all forms as you know, but this is something else indeed. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanemills Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Congratulations mate the Stella would have been screaming. It's an awesome feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rag3 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 80kg, 2meters?? Keep at it mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobson_c Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Well done Erroll! Certainly busted the cherry in a big way! To catch a Marlin so close to home in your own boat is a big achievement. That will be a day we will all remember for a very long time. To see her in the water all lit up was an amazing sight! You fought her very well. We'll never know the exact length and weight, but we'll always know how awesome that day was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 Well done Erroll! Certainly busted the cherry in a big way! To catch a Marlin so close to home in your own boat is a big achievement. That will be a day we will all remember for a very long time. To see her in the water all lit up was an amazing sight! You fought her very well. We'll never know the exact length and weight, but we'll always know how awesome that day was. Thanks mate. Your steering of the boat was superb. See what happens when the three stooges get out there! Have to do it more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacko69 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Congrats Errol, I'm still a marlin virgin but hoping to change that this season. When your out with good company and you hook up to a cracker fish like that I don't think there is a bigger high. Good on ya champ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Congrats Errol, I'm still a marlin virgin but hoping to change that this season. When your out with good company and you hook up to a cracker fish like that I don't think there is a bigger high. Good on ya champ. Thanks mate. I am sure you will sort that out this season. I haven't seen you out for a while, i'll give you a shout next time we cross paths. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Great effort... Good to see a another marlin convert!!! Remember that buzz because sometimes there is quite a bit of water between fish but the great thing about marlin they always throw up surprises, as for tackle...don't ever go to that tackle shop at Coffs Harbour!!!! Thanks buddy, your recent work spurred me on. Being raised up there I know that tackle shop all too well. Should buy shares in it!! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmaniac Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Congratulations on cracking your first marlin. It is all the more rewarding when you get your first in your own boat with your own gear! Hopefully the currents play ball and it's a good season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simda Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Thats great, just purchased a small offshore boat but I have not tried this kind of fishing yet Sounds amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Congratulations on cracking your first marlin. It is all the more rewarding when you get your first in your own boat with your own gear! Hopefully the currents play ball and it's a good season Thanks mate, spot on, makes it all the more sweeter in my mind. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroll Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Thats great, just purchased a small offshore boat but I have not tried this kind of fishing yet Sounds amazing Get on out there mate. It's very addictive! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scent Blazer Lures Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Well done Erroll!! An awesome achievement to catch a marlin on your own boat but a greater achievement to catch your very first marlin!! Again congratulations and I'm sure its only one of many more to come!! Tight Lines Andrew SBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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