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FROM THE DECK
By Captain Jack
Indian Summer and Marlin
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Captain Jack hauls in a 125-pound Marlin of 30-pound test, using his new custom made Tuna stick from Pete at Just Fishing, Hermosa Beach. "Hey Pete, good rig," sez Captain Jack. |
Well, mates, if'n ya took me advice and been fishing, then you already knows that there's fish that are a biting from Diego to Santa Barbara Island. It's like the big Kahuna turned on a switch and the ocean lit up!
Down Diego way, it's all the Yellow Fin ya can throw on the deck. On the paddies, there was plenty Dorado and an Albie or two. But off the east end of Catalina the boys of summer have been hooking Striped Marlin! Yep, about this time each year, if'n ya don't mind the troll, you could be one of the few to nail a Marlin. Those big doggies of the sea have moved all the way up from Cabo Wabo, 1,200 miles, following the bait. For a month or two they sit off Catalina and bulk up for the swim back home.
You got'ta know what yer doing to get one of these monsters. First, ya need a good boat and good gear with 40lb test up. Second, ya need good bait. Marlin like flying fish. Ya ask how does ya get a flying fish? "Wings, man, ya needs wings!" Arg, sez the Captain.
Look, if'n I tells ya all me secrets, ya won't need Jack anymore.
Okay, okay, here it is. Ya got'ta catch them fliers at night under the lights. Wit a little chum you can scoop net'em rite behind yer boat; snip their wings and throw'em in the bait tank. Slow troll'em about 25 yards behind yer boat and hang on.
Now, if'in ya don't have any luck wit Flying Fish, live Mackerel will also work if they is no more than 10 inches long. Marlin likes their meals just the rite size, ya see.
If the Marlin ain't interested in bait, use some of them fancy lures that is packaged for Marlin fishing. Check with yer local bait and tackle store guy in yer area for technical assistance in these matters. Personally, I don't use lures. I figure, if they won't eat what is real, then they ain't eating nutt'in!
However, if'in yer one of the lucky ones to hook a Marlin, ya better set the hook good. Jam yer boat into gear, full speed ahead for about five seconds, then back off. That baby should be jumping out of the water like a grasshopper. Make sure ya ain't got that drag too tight or "Bing" and a second later it's limp line. You don't get too many chances.
So don't "Bing." Nutt'in can describes that "Bing" feeling down deep in yer gut.
Let's say the Marlin aren't doing right by you. Then take what ya have left in the bait tank and go around the back side of Catalina for Yellow Tail. The back side has been producing good Yellows all week; like a slot machine in Vegas. This action will not last, so get some while you can!