Steve Kaiser of the Pensacola Big Game Fishing
Club experiences the challenge of his fishing career - taking
on marlin single-handedly (Thanks to Johnnie
Turner for forwarding this tale)...
On Monday 11 August 1997, my 23' SeaCraft VENTURE returned
to Pensacola on one engine after experiencing starboard
engine failure enroute to the 100 fathom curve in search
of White Marlin. Needless to say, my crew of long time Navy
friend and close fishing buddy, Wally Coupe, along with
my oldest grandson - 15 year old Travis Black - were not
too excited about our "no fishing" day.
I did lots of trouble shooting that afternoon, and found
the problem was a broken set of points. Upon replacing points
and successful turn-up in the yard (on the trailer), I called
Travis to reschedule trip next day. He gave me a tentative
yes, and, as Wally was not available Tuesday, I told him
he could bring a friend. So it looked like a go for 12 August.
At 2230 Travis called to announce his friend could not make
it and asked if they could both go Thursday instead and
besides he had some other things to take care of. So I told
him OK and said I would probably not go Tuesday as it was
a little late to call someone then. Well, this was the event
that set things up for me to go billfishing alone......that's
like by myself.
I didn't set the alarm for Tuesday AM, but tossed and turned,
just thinking about should I go alone. I had a lifelong
dream of catching a billfish solo, so when I awoke early
that morning and observed the weather to be ideal, I decided
to do it alone. It was probably not the best of headwork
items, but having celebrated my 66th birthday just two days
before, I thought if I am ever to pull this off, I had better
get on with it. Besides, I had been a Navy Pilot all those
years.......so what's the big deal. So I launched at first
light and was on my way to the Nipple (the point on the
100-fathom curve closest to Pensacola). I observed a magnificent
sunrise on the run out. The autopilot was working great
- I would never have even thought about going solo without
that autopilot.
I had five lines in the water by 0725, and was extra cautious
in getting the gear set up. I wore the rod belt (belly band),
had two gaffs uncovered on each side in easy reach, a pair
of gloves on the engine box, and just played it a little
bit safer. Abeam the Nipple at 0805, I had a strike on the
starboard flatline. I was trolling four plastics and one
ballyhoo behind a small blue/white Island Girl lure. As
I went for the flat line rod the starboard outrigger went
off.....that was the ballyhoo. No hookup and had not yet
identified the kind of fish. I started working the lure
to tease the fish back on and it appeared as though the
ballyhoo was no longer there. Well about that time the port
outrigger went off. This time I could see a White Marlin
dorsal fin. Still no hookup I took the rod in my hands and
tried to tease him back. Mr.Whitey hit a few more times
but I just couldn't get 'em hooked-up. Finally I put the
rod back in the gunnel holder, thinking the attack was all
over with and nothing to show for it.
About that time that same port outrigger rod with Knucklehead
bowed up, and I had #1 White Marlin hooked-up, taking line
and jumping. Talk about adrenaline flowing! I put the rod
in the belly band and kept it clear of the other four lines.
After a pretty long run, I managed to pull the throttles
back to slow ahead idle, and finally got the fish stopped.
Then all of a sudden the starboard outrigger (the Island
Girl with probably no ballyhoo) bowed up and line started
singing off. That clicker was magic to my ears. I just watched
in shear amazement at what was happening. I never touched
that second rod, concentrating on #1 White, and just enjoyed
watching #2 White jumping and taking line. When I got #1
under control, I put one engine in neutral and worked the
fish closer to the boat. Sometime during this period I placed
the rod in the gunnel holder always making sure I had tight
line, and I reeled in the two flat lines quickly. I decided
not to fool with the center way-back line. Back to #1 and
worked him closer to the boat. #2 White remained bowed up
and appeared to have a good hookup As the double line broke
the surface, I decided this was the time to put the gloves
on. I returned the rod to gunnel, went slow ahead idle on
both engines and continued keeping tight line as I got the
gloves on. Bringing the rod back to the belly band, I finally
got Whitey #1 up to the swivel. I slowly brought the rod
butt to the deck and hand-over-hand worked my way up the
rod to the leader. Once I had the leader in hand it was
a "piece of cake". I billed that baby as I had done so many
times before. Playing things extra cautious, boating the
fish seemed the safest bet. As he lay on deck thrashing
about I removed the knucklehead hooks, tagged him,and even
had presence of mind to get a picture. Adrenaline flow was
at a max. The fish was on deck for about 10-12 seconds.
In the meantime Marlin #2 is still bowed up and things are
lookin' good. Talk about being excited. Wanting to get to
#2 ASAP, I picked up the fish on deck by the bill and tail
section and tossed him overboard. He started swimming smartly
when he hit the water.
I then proceeded to reel in #2. I was pretty tired at this
time but kept on reeling. I could hardly believe what was
happening. The rod stayed bowed up and I carried out the
same procedures as with the first fish. When I got the leader,
fish got a little frisky but finally got the bill in my
hands. I brought him onboard, and did about the same as
with the first fish. He remained lit-up and quite active,
and the on deck time did not appear to hurt him. He, too,
swam away smartly on contact with the water.
It was hard to believe what I had just accomplished. I
was about as excited and as happy as any human being could
be. As I glanced around the boat there were rods everywhere
and four Remoras lying on deck. I called on the VHF just
to tell someone what I had just pulled off. GEM DANDY, another
Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club boat answered up. By the
tone of my voice they knew there had been some real excitement
aboard the VENTURE. Adrenaline was still flowing strong,
but I was one happy guy to put it mildly.
A double hookup of White Marlin successfully completed
while fishing by yourself is the highlight of my fishing
days. Is this a great time........or what!
