10 February 2004 – day 1 : 06H00 tot 15H00
We went out at 06:00H in the dark. After 20 min we stopped to catch some bait. It took about 20 min, and then we've had enough 20 little fish.
Around 07:00H we started trolling with four lines: 1 on the downrigger 90Feet with bait; 1 with a plastic lure and two with bait and a plastic lure.
07H30: strike – 1 big waho
08H30: strike – 1 big waho
12H00: double strike – 1 big waho.
We trolled from the northtop Island to the south and back
Wind was
N.E. 25-30 knots…
Big waves.
We had to stay at the west end of the
Island, the east side was too dangerous because of the large waves
11Februari 2004 – day 2 : 07H00 tot 13H00.
We got on the boat at 07H00.
The wind was much less than the day before, and we've had a beautiful sunrise.
07H45 strike: waho
08H30 strike ; little tuna.
The local fisherman complained about the VHF the water was low tide, so they could not catch fish..
11H, we were at the northside --> strike – baracuda.
I'm in still in the fightingchair taking in the baracuda – very hard strike, unfortunately to late at the rigg...
We decided to go back with a big turn on the open water and we looking for marlin.
We setup 5 lines with plastic lures and a teaser with mirrors. The wind came back again and went downstream against the wind. The boat is rolling and moving on the waves, luckily it isn't stamping/bumping.
At 13H00 back in the harbour. The marlin
didn't showed up... Hopefully we meet him the day after tomorrow.
12 February 2004.
Today we have a day to relax. We are
cruising the island with a rental car. The waves are enormous. Though we are hardcore
sailers, we are happy we didn't went out today. We're hoping that
tomorrow the sea is calmer.
13 Febrary 2004, day 3 06H00 tot15H00.
Friday the 13th.... Special Day! Frank is picking us up at 06H00, went out and caught some bait. At 08H00, trolling for waho, the following takes place in 2 minutes time:
Bang, marlinstrike at line 1 and loose after 4 sec.
Bang, marlinstrike at line 2 and loose after na 4 sec.
Bang, marlinstrike at line 3 and also loose after na 4 sec.
Shit, shit, triple shit. Is this friday the 13th????
The three baites were still in tact, only a bit filled. The next 7 hours... zero nada nothing.
No more fishing for me on friday the 13th......
Tomorrow it is the 14th of Februari, Valentinesday. My wife already said that she would join me on the boat. So tomorrow I go alone, and who knows what Valentine bringst to me....
14 Vebruary – day 4 – 07H00 to 013H00.
At 09H45 we are at the northpoint and no strikes so for. We decided to go for Marlin wit artificial bait.
10H30: a monster of a blue marlin jumps up out of the water.
He bangs on line 2 where we have the "Penningslure" aan hangt. The real make a very high sound. The 720 PK of the boat are make heavy sounds. After 20 secs.... lost it....
10H35: the marlin attacks again. Now on line 5, the most unbelievable thing happens: the release of the BB outrigger didn't open, the line was twisted --> result, the line snapped. Bye Marlin, but what an adrenaline !!!!
12H30: marlinstrike at line 1. The Real is making his high sound again, so do the engines -20 sec later, we lost it again.
At 13H30 back in the harbour. Capt Frank is trying to comfort me by telling that only 2 marlins are landed with 10 strikes..... Jeah, Jeah, right.....
Summary:
After 30 hours of trolling the results are 3 big wahos, 1 little waho, 1 little tuna an 1 baracuda. 3 strikes of the same marlin, 2 strikes of another one and 1 single marlinstrike. So the results are not satisfying. The little luck we needed was missing. The crew and the boat were very good.
Two latest remarks:
* due to the big bimini there is a vacuum and the exhaust gases come back in the boat, this is a bit annoying.