queensland Northern Bay _ Sunday 09/12

[Bill74]

Finally managed a day off from the festivities and the dodgy weather last Sunday. Dropped in the skirts and within 2 minutes was hooked up to a small (~10-15kg) black marlin. Unfortunately we dropped it after it spectactularly launched itself out of the water for a third time. Thoroughout the next 2 hours we managed to get at least 4 other confirmed blacks up to the boat but didn't get any solid hookups. Also got blizted by a wahoo around the 8kg mark.

The critters went off the chew around 10am so we headed to the shipping channel for some hopeful macky action. Nothing was taking the slugs so we tried some live baits. After about 30 minutes one of the overheads screamed into action with a 25-30kg longtail tuna attached to it. We fought the beast for 40 minutes and were were within 2 metres of landing it when the BLOODY ROD SNAPPED in half with the weight of the fish. SPEWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ironic thing about the rod snapping, was that one of my crew kept making comments throughout the 40 minute fight regarding how amazing it was that the rod didn't just simply snap under the weight of the fish. I kept telling them to shut up because I've seen it happen before. Talk about putting the mocker on someone. Needless to say they were noticeably VERY QUIET after the rod actually did snap.

Anyway, no fish boated but we still had a very memorable day out in the water. I just need a new rod before I head out next time. Hopefully Santa might come early so it can be this weekend.

Bill74

[Dan23]

That's a serious fish to snap a rod. Don't take this the wrong way, but why didn't you just loosen the drag a little? Tuna don't fight dirty.

[ellicat]

Good one Bill74. Sounds like a top day (well almost:unsure: )

[MichaelJ]

hear about any1 else getting anything?

[buzzid]

nice work bill, bit unlucky but thats fishing hey. what colour skirts were working best for you?

buzz

[fishyman]

god that sounds fun, i wish i could go fishing for marlin. plus my friend who at the moment has a catfish barb through hsi foot and has to go into surgery to get i out tonight would give up his left keg to catch a wahoo.

sounds like a good day on the water, shame about the rod.

[mackmauler]

fishyman, trust me if your accident prone you dont want to play with marlin, the spikes about 1-2ft long lol

[MichaelJ]

ive seen a dvd where a marlin jumps out of the water and wakes a guy with its bill then land back in water and also they will jump into the boat

[mackmauler]

yeh ive had 1 jump into the boat one jump over the front others slam into the side and plenty charge the boat and narrowly miss, exciting stuff

[MichaelJ]

and u hear about when ones charge the boats and hit it u see were the bill went through the side

[mackmauler]

Yeh thats the trouble with wood and glass, the plate alloy isnt as easy to nail

[MichaelJ]

its also funny how the dollys go syco when they get in the boat

[Bill74]

Hi guys,

Dan23: i hear yah re the drag, it was already loose as. the bloody thing was just too damn heavy to get in close enough to gaff without sinking down another 2 or so metres out of reach.

Buzz: all the hits were on a green/yellow skirt colours

Whatnow: no soul in sight all morning. we had the ocean to ourselves.

Fishyman: listen to what Mackmauler says. i went out on a charter earlier this year and a saw a VERY ANGRY 150kg blue marlin launch itself straight at the stern of the boat. the only thing that saved the decky from 150kg of billfish in his chest was some very quick throttle work by the skipper. needless to say, after that experience the whole crew kept a safe metre or so away from the edge of the boat when a fish was nearby. we got the whole thing on video, bloody great watch!

Bill74

[Fisher_90]

Wouldnt have been filming for the Evinrude etec ads ey? Very quick throttle and power sounds like it lol.