Had a great time, as we always do. Parker, thanks for the referral. We ended up on the Reel Tequilia, fishing with Carlos and Ceasar. Went 3 for 7 on Striped Marlin and 2 for 2 on Durado!



This high flyer was estimated at 140-150lbs, took 40 min to land a release. This fish was in the air as much as it was in the water. Fighting one of these fish is everything you dream of, long runs, tearing out line. High leaps in the air, talk walks across the water, deep long runs. Tons of pix then a quick pat on the back and perfect release. A day on the water I'll never forget!

Can't wait to get back down down there and do it again...

Kev

Awesome Kev. Give me a call because I think there is a springer or two waiting for us in a few weeks!
CM

Done - count me in!

Cool picture !!! how about a couple more ???

Awesome!

Looks like a great trip...I can't take the heat down there...but would love to take a chance at it some time!

Got more fish porn????

Mike

Awesome photo, Kev!

Thanks for sharing as I'm headed down that way the May 6th - 10th.This will be my first time I'm looking forward to it.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

That might be the coolest picture ever posted on this sight!!!

Nice work Kev.

That is an absolutely incredible picture. One of the coolest fishing photos I've ever seen. I'll be chasing bonefish in Belize in about a month and that picture makes me think about heading out past the reef on a big boat for a little fun. Great Job!

Awesome, Kev.

I'm doing the tropical thang in Purto Valarta in April. I don't know what's available down there (any suggestions?), but I'll have to look into it. Looks like a blast.

We chartered High Maintenance in PV and loaded up on 6 nice wahoo. A definate
"recommend". They are right on the main marina dock.

Spud

Thanks everyone, I handed my camera to my Brother in-law and told him to start snapping when the fish got close. I've got more pix and will get them up here shortly. Back at work today and hating life!

OK, here are a few more shots of my fish:



My Dad's Marlin, it was his birthday, what a way to spend the day:


And the best of all, my Nephew's Marlin and Dorado. He was so excited, the smile says it all. He is going to have a great story when he gets back to school today.




It was a great trip, I can't wait to get back down there.

Kev

Nice photos, I've fished off the coast of FL many times but never caught anything like that. We usually caught mahi mahi, or tuna. I'd like to get into some of those one day. great photos.

Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice. I'm planning a trip to Mexico next summer. Hope to get into some fishing like that!

Awesome pics Kev ... looks like a load of fun! One of these days we'll have to forgoe all the things we like about Aruba and do a warm trip to a place with a few more fisheys running around!

Bob- You would dig this fishing! The first fish we spotted on the run out and site casted live bait to it! To see a fish that size turn on a bait on go after it is incredible, a huge rush! We did this on 3 other fish, with no hook ups, but still a blast. The last Marlin we spotted as we were trolling around a huge bait ball, birds, dolphins and Marlin were working this ball over. This last Marling went crazy trying to get our bait, the Capt in even sped up a little, twitch the line, BAM! Fish On! God, it was so dang cool!
Dave - Striped Marlin are just getting going now down there and should be good for a while. From what are Capt said, they are there pretty much year round, with the Durado. The Blues and Blacks (the big boys!) start showing in Sept and peak on Oct. That's also when the big tourneys are going down there like the Bisbee's.

Kev

I will second Kev's motion that sight fishing these 150+ pound silver/blue/dayglow arrows of energy is a blast!

My 170ish pound fish pretty much went like this:

Spot a marlin tooling around on the surface. They don't seem to care that a boat is coming up on them, as they just sit there and twiddle around looking for, or harassing food. In the meantime, you grab your rod, bait up with a live bait, and cast out the bait any where near the marlin.

The bait instantly realizes there's a real BIG fishy near by and takes off like there's no tomorrow. The little guys even manage to move some line off of the reel (it's in freespool).

It took all of about 2 seconds for the really BIG fishy to think "Mmmm, food." and charge for the bait. Not to worry if you can't see the action, as you will know when Mr. Marlin has grabbed hold of your bait as the line will start to SMOKE off your reel. Wait about 10 seconds, slam home the spool lock, set the hook several hard times and HOLD ON!

The first thing you notice is a sound. That's the sound of line peeling so hard and fast off your reel that it's smoking! What a great sound!

I'd say the average fight is about 45 minutes, with several 100+ yard (true, not exaggerated) yard runs. Count on seeing the fish, leap, dance, tail walk, and skim across the water on many a run.

I'd consider myself an "expert" when it comes to fighting a fish, regardless of the size. I can honestly say that it took me a good 45 minutes, and put blisters on every one of my fingers to bring this fish in to the boat. I seriously put the screws to my fish, and it just tore me up. Too bad steelhead don't fight that hard.

I HIGHLY recommend everyone do this at least once. I will be down in Cabo to do this again next year! I can't wait!

I have never caught a Durado, so I am highly jealous of your nephew, Kev! I sooooo want to hook in to one.

Apparently, once I'm ready to do some "real marlin" fishing, I'm suppose to save my pennies and fish with Rooster in Panama for Rooster Fish and 1000 pound Black Marlins. So I've been told, Panama is where it's at for the big Blacks and awesome salt fishing. Oh great, one more fishing destination I need to do. I'll add it to my list.

Ugh. I can't even imagine a 5-8 hour fight for a fish. Sign me up!

I think that if a steelhead weighed 150 lbs. it would make a good accounting of itself.