N
othing quite compares to the utter chaos
that ensues immediately after a blue marlin
charges through the spread and hammers a
lure. A simple explanation of what to expect
can never quite prepare the uninitiated for the brutal,
almost frightening display a blue puts on once pinned.
As the hook bites home, a blue’s usual reaction is
not so much to jump as it is to tear the ocean apart.
In an awesome display of raw fury, a blue marlin
usually greyhounds across the surface, leaving a
frothing plume of white water in its wake. They often
leap in a circular series of jumps, which at times can
have it charging straight back towards you, all the
while serenaded by a screaming reel spewing line
at an unbelievable rate. It’s exciting stuff, especially
when all this eye-popping action takes place behind a
diminutive trailerboat.
Traditionally, blue marlin fishing in Australian waters
was largely the domain of large cruisers with the fuel
capacity and sea-keeping ability to reach the distant
grounds beyond the continental shelf drop-off. However,
in just a short space of time, this has totally changed.
Reliable and fuel-efficient outboards, plus accurate
GPS and access to satellite-imaging current charts
have meant that what not long ago seemed the most
unattainable of marlin are now well within the reach
of Aussie trailerboats. And what a buzz it is to chase
these big, berserker billfish out of a little tub!Above: With
outriggers on the
console and a clear
passageway for the
angler to quickly
reach the bow, a
trailerboat like this
can easily drive
forwards to chase
fast-running marlin,
enabling the angler
to gain line quickly
and remain in close
contact with the fish.Right: Chasing blue
marlin with the boat
driving forwards
helps to catch them
much faster, enabling
the fish to be tagged
and released in
a much healthier
condition.
Left: Blue marlin
typically rampage
across the surface
on a long and high-
speed run when
hooked. Unless the
boat gets after it
very quickly, the
battle can be over
before it’s hardly
begun.bluewatermag.com.au 61