Are Blue Marlin leader shy?

[SERprise]

I recently lost a pretty big blue marlin using a 400# ande leader the marlin bit through it almost instantly after the first run about 3 seconds. Could I use 480# galvanized aircraft cable that I have or are they leader shy? Would I be better off getting some heavier mono?

[bvette]

I recently lost a pretty big blue marlin using a 400# ande leader the marlin bit through it almost instantly after the first run about 3 seconds. Could I use 480# galvanized aircraft cable that I have or are they leader shy? Would I be better off getting some heavier mono?

Chances are it did not bite through. It may have jumped and rolled, or the tail may have come around and cut. Or it wasn't a marlin. I have used 400lb for over 25yrs with big lures and never had a blue marlin bite through. I have had the leader ruffed up from its bill.

[SERprise]

Chances are it did not bite through. It may have jumped and rolled, or the tail may have come around and cut. Or it wasn't a marlin. I have used 400lb for over 25yrs with big lures and never had a blue marlin bite through. I have had the leader ruffed up from its bill.

What ever it was it bit through only a couple inches above the hook. I was @ 400 fathoms so I doubt it was a wahoo. We didn't see anything jump.

[SERprise]

I am beginning to think it was a random wahoo hanging out deep because that happened a month ago but we caught it....we were @ around 400 fathoms then too.

[teddyp]

I am beginning to think it was a random wahoo hanging out deep because that happened a month ago but we caught it....we were @ around 400 fathoms then too.

It wasn't a blue marlin and don't use the cable. The 400# leader should be more than enough strength. I have never had an issue with it.

[LuckyLady]

It wasn't a blue marlin and don't use the cable. The 400# leader should be more than enough strength. I have never had an issue with it.

I 2nd the no wire I would think that you can really hurt the fish with wire

[Captain Fred Archer]

MY GUESS WOULD BE BIGGER MAKO, NOT 'HOO. BIG MAKOS CAN GET THRU CABLE, WHICH IS WHY I DON'T USE IT. I NEVER HAD A HOO DO THAT TO CABLE, BUT I DON'T LIKE THAT STUFF AND CAN'T RIG IT WELL, SO I HAVEN'T USED IT MUCH.

I AGREE WITH ALL ON THE MONO. DOWN IN CABO DURING BLUE AND BLACK TIME I RAN 600# MONO THAT TESTED OUT AT 1,OOO (THE REST OF THE YEAR WE RAN SHORT SINGLE STRAND WIRE LEADERS ON ALL LURES AND NATURAL BAITS SO WE WOULDN'T MISS ANY HOOS OR MAKOS). IN THAT FIRST CASE, IF A 'HOO OR MAKO (AND WE HAD SOME FRIGGIN' HORSES DOWN THERE), BIT US OFF, I WANTED THEM TO. I WASN'T INTERESTED IN EITHER AT THAT TIME OF YEAR, LIKE DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR. AND THEY DID GET THRU THAT HEAVY MONO LEADER, ALTHOUGH WHEN TROLLING CIRCLE HOOKS IN LURES, WE CAUGHT THE 'HOOS - AND THEY WERE ALL VERY LARGE ONES. I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT BLUES EAT THE HELL OUT OF THEM AND ONLY THE HAWGS DARE HUNT IN THE SAME WATERS AS THE BLUE GIRLS. BIG MAKOS? FERGEDABOUDIT! IF THEY DIDN'T BITE US OFF ON THE STRIKE, THEY GOT US DURING JUMPS OR THE FIGHT.

[Questsportfishing]

check the rest of your gear and make sure you don't have any cable ends that can chaffe the line and your crimps are good and crimped properly. 400 just doesn't break. Wahoo can be found anywhere also so never rule them out and if you are fishing around them .. crimp or tie down your lure heads some how so they do not slide up your line. wahoos have fun chasing down a lure if they think thier buddy is eating more than they are...and then they are gone. anything can happen when ya turn the keys in the morning. use some small plastic air line also for chaffe gear above the hook and crimp and let it stick out the lure head a little it protects the line some from thier rough ass bill ..or may be the factor in 'catching' the zebra striped fast fish with teeth...

[SERprise]

Thanks for the input guys. I will post a pic of the leader when I get home so you guys can see for your self what the break looks like.

[bigeasy]

No. Very aggressive. 200lb Fluorocarbon could be used with a lighter drag on smaller fish.


A thousand pounder needs heavy tackle.