Blue Marlin Ft Lauderdale on the "NV"

[saltshaker30]

Yesterday was the first day in about three weeks I was able to get away and fish without having a charter. I called up 5 of my fishing buddies and asked them if they would like to join me trying to target marlin off Ft Lauderdale. I scheduled the trip to leave the dock at 7 a.m. Two of my friends called to say they could not make it, two other no showed and 1 friend showed at 7 ( Darren Jenkins). I explained to Darin that it might get a little crazy if we hooked a marlin with only two of us on my Bertram the NV. He said we will worry about that after we get one on the line, I laughed as we pulled away from the dock.

We put out our lures consisting of ( Mold Craft Soft Head) lures that Tom Green from Custom Rod & Reel recommended. After trolling for about 3 hours trying to gain some depth and find schools of small tuna or dolphin we land a bout a 25lb cow. After the cow we put our spread back out and start marking a good bit of bait about 60 feet down. I yelled to Darin in the cockpit that I finally found the bait. About ten minutes later a nice blue marlin crashes the flat line. I yelled to Darin that is no dolphin it’s a big fish, but we did not get a hook into him. The fish dropped back and knocked the the next lure out of the rigger, but again could not get the hook into the fish and he disappeared. I was disgusted that we missed our shot when another marlin shows up on the other rigger. We could see the fish behind the lure but he would not eat, so we pulled the bait away from him and he pounced on it.




This marlin went absolutely crazy jumping frantically behind the boat for a few minutes.
I thought this was going to be a quick release as we rapidly backed down on him. As we got close to him he saw the boat and ripped of about 250 yards of line off the Shimano TLD 20. I knew then this was going to take a while. After a 50 minute battle Darin Jenkins leaders and releases his first Blue Marlin on 20 lb test.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Pretty Work Capt Jeff! Something to be said for the man on the sticks when a Blue one gets landed on twenty pound test. Glad you put it to her. Run that Dog!
Holwachagot

[Shortfin]

Nice work Jeff


Custom rod is one of my favorite stops when i am in Lauderdale

Mr Green has some experience !!

[#1Gaffman]

Pretty work on your blue one.

Nothing better then seeing a plan come together....

[Dave Sikorski]

Now that's downright BAD ASS. Pretty damn work Jeff.

I'm NVious.

-D

[hotshot1]

Nice Job I fish with just one buddy most of the time things can get hectic , but very fun and rewarding,

[whitemarlin16]

Awesome work i heard that their have been quite a few marlin cought and alot of whiteys good work buddy!