A Trip of a Lifetime

[Tenacious]

WOW! What a week it has been! As I sit down and recall the memories, there is one day that will be etched in my mind forever: Friday, October 3, 2008. I don’t know where to start, but I feel compelled to tell my story of a recent trip that I made to Hawaii. A trip that I would soon find to be a trip of a lifetime.
How did the trip originate you ask? Two months ago my wife was talking to her parents, and in passing I heard her say “Hawaii”. I recall that night asking her why it was even brought up? In a nonchalant voice she tells me that her father would be building a Costco on the island of Oahu. Instantaneously the wheels began turning and I thought to myself, “I can afford the airfare, let’s go!”
Now everyone knows why a man, especially a fisherman, would want to go to Hawaii: yes, the luaus are spectacular , the beaches and scenery are breath taking , the Dole Plantation was delicious , and Pearl Harbor was awe-inspiring ; but, for us fisherman, it’s the chance to catch the elusive Pacific Blue Marlin.

Friday couldn’t come fast enough, but it was finally D-Day. That morning with very little sleep, I was able to awake before the alarm clock even sounded. Off to the Ko’ Olina harbor I went. Thru all the excitement I was there an hour early. Finally, what seemed like an eternity the Maggie Joe crept thru harbor’s inlet. I eagerly boarded the 53ft vessel and introduced myself to Nate the mate and Capt. Mike Derago.
Off to the hunting grounds we went!
We set the spread with some of Steve Coggin’s finest jewelry and began trolling right off the coast of Ko’Olina. We scanned the horizon for some sea-life and our feathered friends, but were disappointed in what we saw. Time passed slowly with little to no action to keep our interest, but somehow I just knew the Fish God’s were smiling down upon us. We stuck to the spread and just knew it was a matter of time. Before I could get something to drink I heard the bridge pole go ZZZZZZZZZZ! It was a nice yellowfin and a nice way to get the monkey off our back. After that fish, we ran into a rough couple of hours with no action.
The day started to grow short and we knew we had to change something quick. So in the lures come, and Nate brings out what seems to be a snapper rod with flex tubing with small hooks on the front and back of the lure. I still remember asking him what the ---- is this? With a smile, he said, “just trust me”. No more than 5 minutes later, we heard the bridge pole go off again and we were praying for a small AKU (skipjack Tuna). As fast as I had him in the net Nate worked on getting the Aku bridled for the slow troll behind the boat. It was no time flat and we saw the bait getting nervous and come leaping out of the water to avoid the mighty thrashing of a bill from the deep. The blue had sucked the small aku like a professional eater in the Nathan’s hotdog eating contest. We were on!!!!!!!!!!
I jumped in the harness and fought him for a solid 45 minutes with only getting one jump across the stern. He was exactly what the doctor ordered and I couldn’t have been more grateful for what the Fish God’s had thrown my way.
I want to thank Nate and Capt. Mike for a spectacular day to remember. Enjoy the video!!!!!!! Tenacious

DISCLAIMER: Video contains a deep hooked billfish, unfortunately we could not re-vive this beautiful specimen to fight another day.

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[gottaflylee]

Wow Great report, pictures and video, Thanks for sharing...
What are you pointing to in the water behind the boat?

[WAHOONBOX]

PRETTY WORK BRO!.....I'M SURE MANY PEOPLE ENJOYED THE FINE MEAL YOU PROVIDED!

I ALSO THANK YOU ON POSTING YOUR VIDEO HERE IN MY WOLRD! EDITTING...TRANSITIONS....VERY COOL!

[Tenacious]

Lee,

I was showing my son the bait jumping behind the boat as we pulled into the harbor. They were pretty small to be the jumping carp we find in our rivers.

[sportfishingusa]

steve awesome trip bro!! that is unbelievable.. especially with the young one in the chair!! lol

nice fish, good times, and it looks like your happier than a pig in shit man!!!

so stoked for ya!!!