HATTERAS BLUE MARLIN (1ST OF 2011)

**Boneshaker25** · 02-03-2011 07:34 PM

Fished with Kenny Brown on the Fin Dawg out of Hatteras on 1/30/2011 looking for a bluefin up to the east. Let the dock in the dark and enjoyed a nice ride to the break. Already a few boats working the area when we arrived. Lines in around 7am or so. Trolled up to the 400 line and then working back down toward the 300 without a sniff. Did manage to mark some fish down around 100ft. Saw some other boats fighting fish, so the spirits were up. Worked our way east off the break and was approx 1/4 mile from the fleet when we had a blue one pop up in the spread behind the port flat. (yes in January!) She hit a red/black islander first, stripping the hoo from the hook and disappearing. Disappointment quickly turned to all out chaos when she popped up behind the starboard flat and engulfed a blue/white sea star and headed south. As we cleared lines (with some kind words from Capt'n Kenny) I handed the rod off to good ole Tom, who did an admirable job for the first hour in gaining back the 100's of yards of line that the fish had taken. When he couldn't turn the reel in longer I jumped in his place. This fish had amazing strength and endurance. Everytime we would get close she would take off again. After approx one hour and forty five minutes we had the leader in sight and was able to get her to the side of the boat to unhook, take pictures, and revive to fight another day. We headed in around 1pm to get cleaned up and head home for work on Monday.
Special thanks to Kenny, Robbie, Tom, and Bob.