Can U say big dolphin!

[Patudo]

Actually, after taking a close look at the 81 lb from Pompano Beach in Andy's photo, the tugboat fish looks to be well comparable. The guy standing to the left of the 81 lb photo looks like a tall lanky guy but the guy on the right (with the grey shirt and blue jeans) isn't, and the tugboat fish looks bigger in proportion to the guys that caught it.







Another possible clue is the length of the rod. That looks like a standard seven foot trolling rod. We have a measurement of 5 feet 9 inches for the 84.6 lb fish in the other photo Andy put up. Obviously it depends how thick/wide through the body that fish is, as it can make a big difference and is seldom obvious in photos. But I wouldn't be surprised if the tugboat fish was indeed over 80. Regardless of its true size that is one hell of a catch. I guess they must have stopped the tow to bring it in otherwise they would never have caught it on that rod and reel.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Not trying to be argumentative, but that rod looks far more like one of the ARA series of standup models than it does one of the seven foot (7' 3"?) long Penn IGFA ones. The taper, guide selection and more seem to indicate to me that it's the former model, rather than the latter. I used both the ARA's and the IGFA models extensively on my boat and am quite familiar with them.

Anyhow, that's what it looks like to me.

ARA's for the most part are five and a half or six feet.

Website www.fredarchersworldoffishing.com

[RABBITFISH]

Whatever the final decision that is one awsome fish! Wish I could bring one in that size....

[Captain Fred Archer]

SkirtChaser,

I answered your "where?" question in a pm, but in case you missed it, if you want to actually target big dorado, one of the places that I would check out would be Fishermens Fleet down in La Paz. Check with David Jones, who owns the fleet, on the best times for a truly big bull hunt. Of course, you will likely be interrupted by "by-catch" of blue or black marlin, sails, tunas of all sizes and huge wahoo, but what the hell, no place is perfect. Plus, how little it costs will blow your mind!

Fishermensfleet@live.com

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

caught one 67 inches weighed 65 lbs gutted we figured 68-70 whole weight i would say the tug boat mahi is between 70 -80 nice fish though.

[Zummie]

SkirtChaser,

I answered your "where?" question in a pm, but in case you missed it, if you want to actually target big dorado, one of the places that I would check out would be Fishermens Fleet down in La Paz. Check with David Jones, who owns the fleet, on the best times for a truly big bull hunt. Of course, you will likely be interrupted by "by-catch" of blue or black marlin, sails, tunas of all sizes and huge wahoo, but what the hell, no place is perfect. Plus, how little it costs will blow your mind!

Fishermensfleet@live.com

Here is the email address that works

fishermensfleet@hotmail.com

[Capt. Terry]

WOW NEIL - THAT'S A HELL OF A STORY....WHAT A MAH!!

I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT FELLOWS BEFORE THAT WORKED ON SEA TUGS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY TROLL A LINE OR TWO AND - THE STORIES THAT THEY TELL ABOUT WHAT THEY CATCH IS ALWAYS COOL.

THAT'S A HEAK OF A NICE DORADO......WHAT A FISH!

[Captain Fred Archer]

Thank you for the correction on the web address, Zummie.

Trophy...65# gutted is one helluva hawg of a dorado! Congrats!

[Pargon]

Thanks for the kind words Capt. Fred. I think that dorado are under respected by the "hard core" big game fishermen. Yes, there are a lot of dorado, and no they don't take the coaxing that a big marlin might, but they are still a hell of a fish when they get big. We catch a lot of them here in La Paz, and we're fishing specifically for them during season so you're not reeling in a 50 pound fish on the bent butt 80lb. rig that you had out for blues, but on 30-40lb. tackle that really makes them a formidable fighter. To get a half dozen 50 pounders feeding within a few yards of your panga, picking out the biggest and hooking him up is pretty damn exciting, and then the work begins.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Pargon,

Thanks for some recent "evidence". That first one is a real pig!

Little boats, calm waters, near shore, good tackle...good stuff!

Website www.fredarchersworldoffishing.com