My first Blue Marlin

[hockeyfish]

On July 12 I caught my first Blue Marlin. At around 200lbs max it was just a baby but to me it might as well have been a grander. It was out of Oregon Inlet,NC. On the Carolinian with Captain Tony Tillet and mate Jordan. Tony Tillet is one of the Captains on my mental HOF. list of Captains I would love to fish with. I consider myself lucky to get on board with him as even in a bad economy he is always booked. Tech stuff- I took 20 min to land the fish on a TLD 20 with 100lb leader and 20lb test. I was so intent on not screwing up that I missed most of the action watching my line and had to look at pictures after the fact to get a good look at my fishy. HOORAY FOR ME! Captain Tillet is the man!

[tarpon4me]

Congrats on your first Marlin. You caught it right up the street from me. I fish out of Murrells Inlet. I've never landed a Blue Marlin, but felt them on the line for a bit. That was good enough for me.

[hockeyfish]

Thank you very much. I told Captain Tillet that I could now die because that is all I have ever wanted to do. More would be nice though.

[tarpon4me]

You know, I dig billfish, they're sporty, powerful......I get wood. Etc....

But, i'll take wahoo or dolphin action over a billfish any day of the week. Maybe i'm a weirdo, but i'm not down with long, exausting battles with fish I can't stick in the cooler and blacken later on in a cast iron skillet.

If I couldn't eat it, i'd rather target something more exotic rather than a well known and widely caught species like a Marlin. I'm talking Alligator Gar, Tiger Fish, Peacock Bass.............You know, something like that.

But, a Marlin is on a lot of anglers "To Do" list because of it's massive size and power. There aren't many compatible fish. I will give you a recommendation though. If you get a chance to target Mako sharks, don't pass it up. Not only do they have incredible showmanship, they are blistering fast, powerful, and one of the best eating fish in the ocean.

[hockeyfish]

They are also on the list. Meat is king,billfish are my dessert.

[alexcraig]

Congratulations!

I've been fishing 30+ years and billfish are still at the top of my hit parade.

I still get a real kick out of watching someone catch his first 'Blue One'.

[SFKitten]

congratulations!!

[hockeyfish]

Thank you all for the congrats. I look at the picture on my office wall everyday dreaming of the next time. However I have to admit to being humbled today by looking at the reports of the 1062lb blue landed at the White Marlin Open yesterday. If anyone is familiar with Ocean City Md. than you realize just how rare that is.To me winning a big money tourny would solve a lot of financial problems right now. I would have definite conflicting emotions about killing something so majestic.

[MScott09]

That's pretty sweet! I caught my first one last summer. Congratulations.

[JosephC]

If anyone here has gone deep sea fishing for Marlin in cabo san lucas. I will be going in October for the first time. Can anyone suggest a good and reputable charter that I can reserve. I would appreciate any info. Thank you