How not to do it

[frankypettolina]

if they would have stayed out of gear the fish could have been hit with a straight gaff.

THere were so many things done wrong in that video that it is amazing.

[LongRigger]

From what I heard the fish was estimated at around 650....350 is a little unjust.

Its also a little unjust to draw a conclusion on the captain based on this one video. Im not naming any names, but I know from personal experience hes a great guy and has caught a good amount of good sized fish. Everyone makes a mistake sometime...fish came up looking pretty much dead and dangerous assumptions were made. Cant win them all. Hes a young guy and everyone has a mistake or two along the way to getting to the peak of their game. I know Ive messed up a couple of times, Ive just been lucky enough to have a supportive and knowledgeable captain and crew to bail me out. We have all been there in his position at one time or another....

[frankypettolina]

Longrigger- I think the fish is definitely closer to 6 than it is to 3 thats for sure. I don't know the guys involved, and I too have lost my share of fish, and some for reasons that may not have happened had I had more experience at the given time. I think the biggest reason they are under fire here is not only planning to kill the fish in the first place (this is largely an east coast forum and we don't kill blues regularly on this side- please note that personally I have no problem with any fish dying so long as it is being put to good use), but succeeding in killing it the way they did.

I still stand by my first post- amazing and fortunate that no one was injured. And I'll bet the ropes are cleated off every time here on out....

[LuckyLady]

I have noted mistakes over the years fishing with different people but everyone has to learn at some point and no one is born an expert and takes time and practice to refine skills. Some of us don't have the opportunity to learn for the best of the best. Although its not a marlin. I can dig up my own how not to do it video. Wasn't so much me but I have learned a lot over the years and have spent my time cursing out people in my head.

[mikehalseyjr]

Def a bummer, stuff happens. Period dot.

For example, 1st big YFT I ever gaffed in my life. Eneded up in me coming home with one less gaff, fish was not ready to be gaffed, I rushed it. Pulled the gaff right out of my loose underestimating young in-experienced hand (singular). Who reaches as far as possible into the water with one hand to gaff a 75 lb YFT??? I did! A mistake never to be made again.

Mike

[Patudo]

Let he who hath no sin cast the first stone. If video (complete with commentary from charter's wife who was probably the person who put it on youtube, doubtless much to the crew's chagrin) existed of some of the dumber things I've done on a boat, I'd look like a right daft idiot, and I bet the same would apply to some of the guys that commented, too. That skipper and crew probably got a good ribbing for it but I guess that is the flipside of having those wonderful camcorders and digital cameras and youtube.. they're just as good at recording your mistakes as your triumphs...

[Captain Fred Archer]

"Knowledge is the key to fishing success" proven once again. In this case, perhaps it's, "knowledge is the key to fishing survival"! I don't know if anyone else noticed it, but the gaffer was actually standing on and in the gaff line part of the time while he was trying to gaff the fish. No big deal with that poor, near-dead girl, but I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone the potential consequences of doing that with a hot fish...oof! And nice big flyers, looked like Accurates to me, with a major hook left in that doomed fish. A shame, especially since it was preventable if only some education had been gained before beforehand, as it should be. Instead, an entire crew was humiliated and a great fish disgraced.

Too many people trying to run the show too. Captain calls shots. "You told me not to tie off the short one" ??!! Huh? Who? What?

Sad indeed.

[BIGJAHOOTIE]

AND TO THINK WE WATCH THAT, AND WE BASH PEOPLE FOR KILLING BLUEFIN AND EATING THEM IN NC
SORRY TO THE SOUTH BOYS,
MISTAKES OR NO MISTAKE THROW THE TAPE IN THE FIRE AND FORGET IT EVER HAPPENED.


OH WELL

[High Hooks]

WHY would anyone think to use a long line weak hook for a flying gaff?? No ones perfect

[BahamaLure]

Maybe I should make one comment, being that I was the one who posted the video.

I don't know who's boat it was, who the captain was or who the charter was and I have no intent to critique anything seen on the video. I do however think we can all benefit from it so we reduce the chances of repeating any of these events. This is the only reason I posted it.

I personally feel for the captain, I have no doubt he did not intend it should work out how it did and every comment I have read by guys who know him said he's a good guy.