Guys i need some adivce. We caught a Marlin this afternoon and the mate was a bit green. When I got the fish to the side of the boat he had his gloves on the line and the line slipped through his hands needless to say the fish went under the boat and into the engines on a Center Console. Goodbye fish. What is the proper way to gripe the line when leadering a bill fish? Can anyone help with a step by step procedure. This billfish was only around 100lbs.
400lbs black, 500lbs blue, 750 mako, sail on the fly, 750 tiger, 150 yellowfin, 500lbs bluefin
Need a little more info. to give you the right answer Brian. Was the boat moving or dead in the water. Did the mate have the leader and just good not very well or was the fish that pissed that it just pulled the line out, etc. There will be a million diff. opions on this but more info will help everyone to walk you through it.
The boat was moving at about 2 mph and i had just broght the fish along side after a 30 min fight. I guess the most important thing I wanted to know is the safest way to leader him him. Do you wrap arond your glove hand. ETC. I have read stories where you can get pulled over board if your not careful.
400lbs black, 500lbs blue, 750 mako, sail on the fly, 750 tiger, 150 yellowfin, 500lbs bluefin
Everyone has there own opions on this one. But, he is how we do it.
This is for everyday fishing, tournaments are a whole different ballgame. I keep the boat moving forward just like you did, about 2 knots. I make sure the fish is tired. If the fish is too green the best wireman can't handle them. when the fish gets boat side the wireman comes in under the line and stays forward of the angler in the boat. At first I don't take wraps. I grab the line then **** my hand with rubberized gloves at a 90 degree than bring him closer to the boat each hand grip like that. Then boat side I take one wrap no more. Anymore and if he takes off you going with him! Hold him boatside and then gaff or release the fish. Make sure as your wrap don't cross the line on your hand. It can create a dangerous situation. It is pretty simple...Just never wrap more than once. I have done sharks to 750lbs. Marlin and tuna to 500lbs.. Only got my feet off the floor once and it was a small Mako and I made the mistake of doing two wraps. Believe it or not the smaller fish are more dangerous. They have a wilder temper, usually under estimated, come to the boat greener which can be a bad combo.. The capt also has to be on the controls, most fish like the one you had. let them go and fight them back to the boat. I wasn't there so not sure who's fault it was, but a mate should always be able to let the leader go and not have to worry about losing the fish. If the capt is on the controls and your communicating.....the capt can do things with the boat to prevent break off MOST OF THE TIME......sometime shit just happens. If the fish breaks off by hit the boat or alike it is USUALLY the capt. fault. It is fishing afterall. That is what makes you want to go back tomorrow. Once you touch that leader it is a release anyway. I rather let him go and tire himself out. Then bring him up a little tired so we can get some boatside pics and alike! revive him and let him go sore but alive!
I dont like wrapping line around my hand with a big fish but if you do be carefull. Make sure the rod man backs off the drag when the fish is boatside so it wont break the line if it runs again or if it gets under the boat. If it goes under the boat dont be afraid of stickin the rod tip down into the water with the drag backed off to avoid a cutoff. When you get the boat turned, up the drag and Resume the fight.
Good luck.
Situations like this are where the skill and experience of your wireman can make a big difference to the outcome of the fight. Sometimes things just happen too fast, but if possible, if the fish is attempting to go under the boat the wireman should try to steer its head away if possible, giving the skipper a critical extra second or two to react by spinning the boat or going ahead to get out of trouble even if the wireman has to let go. Wraps are by far the best way to control a fish, but must be taken correctly. If you have not been properly instructed in how to do this then a direct pull on the leader is advisable. If you get both hands on the leader and angle the leader so that is coming through your gloves at a right angle (like thums up described) you can pull fairly hard.
Many thanks for the help this fish came in very docile but when the first mate grabbed the leader and tryed to bring him in for the tag he went a bit crazy.
We just want to make sure that everyone in safe when it comes to the final seconds before the tag.
The pros make it look very easey when you watch the shows on TV but I still don't know whether or not I would go for a wrap around the glove hand.
I try to only pinch the line btwn thumb and forefinger that way if the fish surges, I can let go. If you take wraps, make sure the line doesn't go over and behind your thumb, or you could be swimming for your life.
If it's not a trophy fish or a dead one, I just cut the leader and let it swim away.
Billfish often react when they feel the different pull of the wireman. That's why you want your wireman to be as smooth as possible, whenever possible. Keep the pull smooth, and low if possible. Pulling their head out of the water can often make them want to jump. Shorter leaders are easier to handle and a windon setup can let the angler lead a smaller fish right up to the boat.
If you don't feel confident wrapping a fish then - DON'T. It is a valuable skill to learn though, I would say essential if you want to seriously fish for big fish so get your wireman to learn from someone who knows, and practice taking wraps and letting go on fish like 20 lb dorado on light leaders 60-80 lb until he is confident before trying it on a real fish.
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