Use a Coach….
"Lower your rod tip", "Listen, lower your rod tip!" There should be a person on board whose job it is to coach the angler during the battle. Helpful directions spoken into an excited angler's ear can prevent losing fish. The coach monitors the cockpit, boat movement, amount of line out and most importantly line build up on the spool, which many times become overlooked in the excitement. The coach needs to "speak" not yell or shout directions. It is the anglers responsibility to listen to the coach.
One disastrous day after a hook‑up I turned my attention away from the angler. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the bend in the rod was being lost. Turning around I was horrified to see the angler had stopped winding, not even a hand on the reel while trying to adjust the belt that had slipped to the side. Slack developed, the marlin jumped and the lure was sent flying through the air in a microsecond. Angler's fault? Yes, but as the coach if I'd stayed focused the incident would not have happened. The coach handles adjustments to the fighting belt, harness, provide a drink, etc.
Over Confidence
"I can't wait to taste that sushi". Five minutes into the battle and the angler is getting ready to break out the teriyaki sauce. Full attention is required for the task at hand which is concentrating on catching the fish. Anglers should not become overconfident and believe that the battle is won from the onset. Mental mistakes leads to physical errors. As the saying goes, "it is not over until the fat lady sings". Typical example: Wire in hand, gaff ready for a head shot. The angler relaxes thinking the end is at hand. The fish re‑surges with a second wind, the wire man releases the leader for fear of breaking the fish off. The rod is jerked out of the anglers hand and saved by the harness. However, the loud sound is that of the line snapping! As bad as that scenario is, it can be worse. Captain Josh Ruskey (at the time was running the Size Matters) experienced the following during a tournament. A mako had eaten a whole bluefish being fished live off of a kite. The green 300 pound mako came to the boat in five minutes, no one was keeping an eye on the angler, who, believing the mako's demise was at end, unsnapped the reel from his harness and was holding it in one hand watching the mate wire the fish (no one noticed this in the excitment). When the mate could not hold the leader any longer and released it, Capt. Josh describes the consequence this way, "an 80 class Penn International looks very pretty glimmering in the water on its way to the bottom!" Never assume the battle is over. Bragging rights do not exist until the fish is aboard. Anglers need to be prepared for the unexpected!
Backing down is one option for retrieving line. If you are the angler, prepare to be soaked! Note, this can create a dangerous situation depending on sea conditions.
Use the boat
Fighting fish from a stationary boat causes the fish to do the work, tiring itself out. But, the least amount of line out increases chances of success. Three or four hundred yards of line stretched out increases chances for cut offs by other boats, fish or floating debris. Chase trophy fish, decent pressure can still be applied. It does take coordination between the angler and captain to assure slack never has a chance to occur, but the reward outweighs the effort. Using stand‑up gear, chase running fish by keeping a fifteen degree angle while retrieving line. The angler keeps winding and the rod must maintain a bend applying pressure.
Backing down on a fish is great when fishing off a battlewagon (most anglers enjoy the experience). However, smaller pocket rockets will find chasing the fish more comfortable and safer then backing down with waves washing over the transom or engine well.
Safety harness
A safety harness for the mate/wireman should be considered when pursuing large pelagic. More than once someone has lost their life by being pulled over the side of a boat while trying to land a fish. Regardless of how strong or experience you are in a pit, the danger of entanglement in heavy leader material is real and capable of taking a fisherman off his feet. Even lost of balance on rough days can place a mate in the water. Commercial models are available starting around $75.00 and should be given serious consideration when chasing large species such as blue marlin or sharks.
Also, keep these tips in mind for Trophy Fish:
- Never take multiple leader wraps around the hand.
- Utilize wind‑on leaders to remove danger of wiring a fish.
- Do not reach out for the fish when gaffing, keep both feet solidly on the deck with legs braced against the gunnel. Wait on a good shot.
- Never place a gaff lanyard around the wrist.
- A flying gaff reduces the danger of being pulled over the side of the boat.
- Use tail ropes to secure sharks until they expire. The cockpit, a frisky shark and anglers make for a poor mix!
For additional tactics and tips on catching trophy fish, check out my book, Offshore Pursuit. Available at most tackle shops and book stores or online at
