Anglers fishing offshore often make the same mistakes over and over again. Many veteran anglers make errors when going to war with fish that out weigh them. Now and then, we will get luck, and fish will be boated despite errors. But normally, these mistakes cost the angler a big fish. Testing one’s fishing savvy against large pelagics demand flawless performance out of equipment and effort if they are going to succeed.
The recreational bluefin fishery has provided exceptional opportunity for fishermen to test their ability against fish that tip the scale upward of 200 pounds. In June bluefin take up summer residence between the 20 and 30 fathom lines. This gives offshore anglers a good shot at trophy size fish without a run to the canyons.
Fish of this caliber have the ability to hurt an angler. This is evident by the look of fatigue worn on faces in contest with these tough competitors, so be prepared. When hooked up this summer with a 200-pound bluefin or profusely sweating with 500-pounds of blue marlin at the end
of a line, don’t make one of the following nine mistakes that cause four letter words to surface
along with the broken line!
- Placing a thumb on the spool to add a “little” extra drag in order to stop a fish from spooling
the reel is like trying to stop a freight train. The first run off is normally the longest. Trust must
be placed in the reel’s drag system. Drags are preset for a reason.
A drag set at 25-30 percent of the line’s breaking strength pushes the line to its limit when a fish is running. It is difficult watching line disappear from the spool and thoughts of trying to slow down a fish by adding just a little more pressure is only natural. However, this action has disaster written all over it. - Trying to retrieve line against the drag is a waste of energy. This is the one time an angler
actually has the opportunity to rest, so take advantage of it. Hold the rod at a 45-degree angle
during run offs, begin reeling and working the fish after it stops. - There is no need for the “hit the captain on the bridge move.” I’m not sure what
anglers try to accomplish by lifting the rod high over their head while leaning back as far as
possible. This move creates friction and increases line tension that will push a line near or past its breaking point. Work a fish by raising the rod to the eleven o’clock position, then retrieve line while lowering the rod. Always begin winding “BEFORE” lowering the rod tip to prevent slack in the line. - Once a hook is set, it cannot be improved upon. Jerking and pulling on the rod to “set the
hook better” will only tear at the hole where the hook has penetrated through the mouth.
An exception to this rule is when billfishing. Marlin and sails have hard bony mouths that are
difficult to penetrate. Set a J-hook by using several short firm jerks. If using circle hooks for
billfish, allow the fish to hook itself. Just wind when the line comes tight. - Don’t be impatient. Battling marlin or tuna on a 30 or 50 class outfit is going to take some time. It takes constant pressure and remaining calm to land fish at a five to one or better
ratio. - Rest is not an option. Holding the rod with a fish at the other end of the line will not put the
fish in the boat. You rest….the fish rest! Rest only when the fish is stripping line, other wise, lift
the rod smoothly and retrieve line with the reel. Arms cannot hold a rod under pressure for very
long. A harness is imperative in keeping the heat turned up on a fish. By transferring pressure
off the arms to the back, odds of success shifts to the angler. - Never rest a rod on the gunnel. Bluefin are notorious for getting directly under the boat. This
means stand up fishing to prevent the line from coming in contact with the chime of the boat,
unless you like the sound of line separation. It is hard to imagine that a person’s body can be
punished more then in this situation. First, the lower back feels as if it is about to explode. Next,
a hand is placed on the gunnel to relieve back pressure. Then, ever so slowly the rod dips down
towards the gunnel. At this point I inform the angler not to let the rod touch the gunnel. Which
immediately draws a look of “what the hell am I supposed to do?”
One option is to hand the rod off. The other option is to hit the gym during the winter. Just keep the rod off the gunnel! Placing a rod on the gunnel under pressure is a sure way to buy a new rod. - Never assume the fight is over. After a two, three, or four hour war, we tend to let our guard
down when the fish is being wired. However, stay focused. Back off the drag slightly and be
alert in case the fish cannot be held. Collapse only after the fish is in the box. - The number one reason fish are lost…the angler stops winding! Fish that turn and charge the boat may create the illusion that the hook has been thrown. Now is the time for the following three steps; point the rod toward the fish; wind fast as possible; prepare for the line to become taut. Sitting with a look of disappointment without a good grip on the rod, whining “he got away” spells disaster. Trust me on this one. An International 50 class outfit glistens and flashes a long way down in 100 fathoms of water!
