Started the fishing day early, but this was no ordinary fishing day. This was the annual Rivers Edge Marina Dolphin/Wahoo Fishing Tournament. A year’s worth of giving everyone grief or taking it was at stake! Game faces were on and the fishing was all business. Plan was to high speed for a wahoo 50+ pounds should be easy. Then troll for a minute to two and put the 40+ bull in the box. Then head back and stop off at reds for lunch and hit the weigh in about 2. Seemed pretty doable.
After a quick load up we left the dock at 3:50. Ride out was a little snotty but the further we got the better the seas got. Made it out to 130 and it was time to high speed to fill our box with the winning Wahoo. Put out the spread and 2 minutes later it was on. Reel screaming first thing in the morning had our hopes way up. About 30 seconds later the dental floss that was used to spool the reel snapped with a loud heartbreaking crack. Reset and back on the troll and that rod was shelved for the day.
We trolled out to 300 without a bite. No big deal well get them on the way home. We put out the ballyhoo and started the hunt for the prize winning Mahi. And we trolled…And we trolled… And we found nothing. Ocean was blue, flyers were everywhere, some scattered grass, and absolutely no Mahi.
Break out the SST via the Garmin and XM and we see a small temp break. We turn the boat and head that way. Midway through the area we pick up our first fish. A nice gaffer dolphin. First fish in the box. Not a winner but he got the skunk off the boat and our spirits were lifted. About this time we decide to head to the 380. Turn the boat again and start that way. And listen to a little Johnny Cash of course.
Then it happens… reel screams and what jumps skywards… Marlin. Blue? White? Who knows but he was huge! After a 30 second hookup he pops off… then wham another reel screams… Marlin is back on! For the next 20 minutes we battle him. We gain line… he takes line. Then all the sudden he takes o
