Double Header Swordfish and Marlin

[tyurke]

This weekend we fished the Miami Swordfish Tournament. Its a 2 night event that puts some of the best guys around fishing against each other. After night 1 we are tied with 3 other boats that have 100 points. As we head out for the second night (Saturday) we realize it is any ones game.

We put all the baits in the water when the 150 goes off and we feel as though we are off to a great start. However, after 5 minutes we think we pulled the hooks. When we reeled in the line and the leader was frayed really bad and broken off. (Shark)

 

The next 4 hours go buy with out a hit so we drop one bait deep (500 feet). We just wanted to try something different. 30 minutes later that rod goes off, at first pulling line slow. The fish starts to scope for the surface and then the 250 goes off, now we are into a double header. Both fish feel really big. I am on the deep rod and my fish starts to dump the reel and we are all very excited. At this point you start to think one big fish and we win the event.

 

After 30 minutes go buy we get a look at the fish about 25 feet under the boat. we hit it with a q beam and it is huge. We are still thinking Swordfish because there has been nothing to indicate different. The fish is very long and if it was a Sword we are thinking #450- 500. Remember thats just fish #1 fish #2 is feeling every bit as impressive.

 

We are both getting worn out as both fish are being fought with stand up gear.

 

We now have fish # 1 about 8 feet deep, flying gaff in hand Ian reaches for it and backs out at last second. The last 20 minutes the fish has been just under the back of the boat and just far enough away that we cant verify what it if. He says he thinks its a marlin but cant be sure. We spend another 15 minutes getting him up from 9 -10 feet under the boat. We verify its a Marlin and wire him up. Forum member Cheech pops a picture and the fish is released. The fish was #300 plus and released to fight another day.

 

At that point fish number 2 is 30 - 40 feet away from the boat pulls the hook.

 

What an amazing night it was. I never would of thought we would catch a Marlin out there like that. It was one to remember for sure. Emotions ran very high as we felt that the fish were swords and thought we could of won the event. The Marlin release was a bit of a bummer thinking about the tournament but it was so cool and we were as happy as we could be all things considered. Just goes to show you that you never know what your going to catch out there.

 

I should have pictures from Cheech on Monday and will post them here when I get them.

 

Full Report: http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forums/...ishing2694.html

[Snatcher]

Excellent report,well done that man

[Vagabond]

Great report, Tyurke, it captures the disappointments as well as the successes of big game fishing. Know the feeling

 

Looking forward to the pictures.

[Seahog]

Yep enjoyed the report ...