Last Sunday I was in Cabo San Lucas for a business meeting and hooked up with a couple of guys for a fishing trip. I loudly proclaimed that "I would give my left nut to catch a marlin!" Well, out we went, and wouldn't you know it - they now call me "Single barrell Eddie". What a cool thing. Here are some pictures - I've got better ones coming next week from one of my new best friends digital cameras that include some close ups of the estimated 150lb. striped marlin. But, as the rivers are blown, I thought I would give you folks some daydream material.

Here I am fighting this fish.


This photo does not do this magnificient fish nearly enough credit. The fish is about 400 yds. out. This was after the initial run where the fish took line for 2 minutes or so and then started dancing. I was looking out there, saying "Wow, that's cool" when I realized that it was my fish and I'd better get to work!



A little local color - on the way back in the guy that I now call Coach, feeding the pelicans the last of our live bait.



All in all, a great experience. We rose 4 fish to the teaser lines, but only hooked up the one. My two companions had both caught marlin before and graciously asked me to go first. After it was all over Coach came over and said, "Well, you've popped your cherry!" I replied, "Kind of like the first time that happened, I'm sweaty, I'm shaking, but I think I'd like to do that again!"

Awesome! Some kind of business trip, huh?

How are any of us supposed to get stinking w#@k done when pictures like that keep showing up?

:-) Bring 'em on...who needs money, anyway?

Mike

"business trip"


And I thought I was the king of the boondoggle. I managed a lot of nice golf, mass amounts of great eating, and gallons of beer in my life through "business meetings". But never have I managed to get a marlin trip. You have acheived a level of greatness that is to be aspired to.

Business trip with a side bar of fishing, sounds great to me.

We had only booked the trip for a half day - the conference was starting on Monday, but there was a pre meeting at 2PM on Sunday. I landed the fish and the other guys got real interested in staying out all day. My best line of the day - "There is nothing that (the company) can tell me that will improve my day, I'd be happy to stay out". Unfortunately, no more fish. Guys, this was the best boondoggle I ever managed.

Eddie:

I can see your feeling tons of "guilt" over your absence from the corporate meeting...LOL!

Back in late Oct. when the Silvers were running up the river I would forward my office phone to my cell and head down to the river about 2 each afternoon.

Did fine for a couple days, then one of my best customers called me, needing a quote asap on a rather expensive set of antennas...problem was when the phone rang I had a fish "on the other line". The "jig" was up when he heard the drag screaming. Fortunately my customer is also a rabid steelheader and understood the predicament..so, I beached the fish, ran back up to the house and wrote the quote and then order.

Amazing the sacrifices we have to make in order to make a living.

Mike

Eddie,

Way to go. I can't wait to see more.

Pretty good work out though, huh?
Nothing around these parts even compares to one of those freight trains. (OK, maybe chum)

Sure gives you a whole new perspective on "the old man" now doesn't it. Coincidentally, I'm just finishing up the book even as we speak and I still can't believe what the guy went through with a fish 10 times the weight of yours (no disrespect to 150 either, eddie) on a HAND LINE. Not to mention, being towed for days out to sea in a row boat with only a little water and some raw fish to eat. Now that's huevos.
Great read for for the rest of us peons who are stuck sitting by the plunking rod waiting for a brat to snag himself going up the nearest blown river while the hoi poloi cavorts in the sun down south. And all this time Eddie, I thought you were one of us simple humble moss encrusted wee folk. Now we come to find out you're no different than the rest of the jetsetter's and "beautiful people" like Sparkey, Bob and Corey. What would Greg say? Say it ain't so!

Mooch, it ain't so. Believe it or not, this trip in total (the fishing, drinks, bait, tip for skipper and deckhand, taxi to and from town) cost $150. After I calmed down, I gave thanks for being so lucky.

You are so right about the power of these fish. That first run was awe inspiring. I have compared the marlin to the fish I usually catch and the marlin hands down wins for power and speed. Our fish up here get the nod for quickness.

I hear you about Hemingway's book. I can't imagine how tough it would be to land a 500 - 1500 lb. marlin. I know that the boat must do a lot more of the fighting than I experienced with this fish. I did feel it in my forearms and shoulders for the next couple of days.

All I can say is if any of you get the chance to do this - do not hesitate. It's relatively inexpensive to get to Baja, there are plenty of cheap hotels and if you hook up - Katie bar the door.

Way to go Eddie....Hope you stayed away from Cabo Wabo...On second thought you probably don't have Sammy Hagar's autograph yet do you?? How did you get the trip for $150? Hell we spent more than that on the bait girl.....

Grandpa, the $150 was my part of the trip. It was $450 for the day for the three of us.

No, I didn't see Sammy, I did spend a fair amount of time in town, my favorite place became a little cantina called Lobster Tacos and Beer. One of the things that I recommend is waiting until you are down there to book a boat. We walked the docks on Saturday afternoon and had plenty (actually way too many) choices. Everything is negotiable. We got a good boat with a good captain. I would have brought a hook file though, they did not spend as much care on sharpening as I tend to.

My belief is that with careful shopping, you could do this trip all inclusive for about $1000. Get a couple buddies together, don't stay in the fancy spots, go fishing as many days as you have fishermen (3 fishermen, 3 days) and you would have a great shot at catching a marlin. Almost all of the marlin being caught right now in Cabo are striped marlin. Typically 70 to 200 lbs.

Great place to go in the middle of winter!!!!

Sounds great!!!....What alot of fishermen miss at Cabo is fishing out of a small pachanga right at the Cape in front of the marina...the Pacific Ocean meets Cabo around that corner and there are massive currents chruning up lots of bait and many species of fish. Grab some light spinning gear and have a ball ...and it is close to the docks and cheap.

GRANDPA.....

A pachanga is a lively party,

If you're talking about those 25' open OB boats, I think they're called a panga or patera...

And for anyone that has not read "The Old Man..." I highly recommend it.

It was originally written as a series for Life Magazine and only takes a few hours to read.

Myself, I am currently approching the exciting conclusion to Jack London's "The Sea Wolf".

pachanga , pachinko..problemo...whatever the hell they are....long skinny boats with crappy motors on them....

as far as them books go I'm too busy watching the Simpsons to read any books...

Business! Shmusiness! I'll be heading down there in May for the FUN of it! NO BUSINESS ALLOWED!!!
Oh by the way, CONGRATS ON YOUR FIRST MARLIN!
You wanna see quick, wait untill you tangle with your first Wahoo!