Scary Video

[259]

I've seen a few of these marlin fishing videos but this one scared me. I've also wondered why the deck hands always wrap their hands around the wire when they try and bring them in....Anyone know?

Video Link

[little doc]

Yikes, and I thought I wanted to catch one of those!

[Tower Todd]

I've heard about this video for a few years and never had a chance to see it until now. Thanks for posting it.

Stewart Campbell is one of the most accomplished fisherman in the world of Big Game Fishing. A quick check of the IGFA Record Book shows he has broken over 15 records total and currently holds the following:

Atlantic Blue Marlin:
336 pounds on 6lb. test
562 pounds on 8lb. test
820 pounds on 16lb. test
714pounds 8 onces on 20 pound test
872 pounds on 30lb. test
708 pounds on 30lb. test

Atlantic Spearfish:
52 pounds on 6lb. test
45 pounds 9 ounces on 8lb. test
62 pounds 12 ounces on 12 pound test
67 pounds on 16lb test

Atlantic Bigeye Tuna:
329 pounds on 30lb. test

His boat is a Custom G&S Express (40'ish) named Chunda. Big game fishing and particularly fishing for light tackle records is a team sport. Stewart has the best team. At variuos times names like Peter Wright, Skip Smith, Barkley Garnsey, Gary Stuve, and Hamish Burns have been on the team. Each team member with a specific duty and highly honed skills. The Chunda team specializes in the "Bait and Switch" method. This involes trolling hookless teasers until a fish comes up. Seeing the fish before it strikes the teaser is critical. As the fish begins to attack the teaser, the mate starts pulling it closer to the boat (away from the marlin's hungry mouth). As the marlin is following the teaser, the angler drops back a hooked bait in freespool on the appropriate line class for the record that is sought after. As the bait nears the point where the teaser is passing it, the the mate yanks the teaser out of the water. The marlin switches over the the bait (hopefully). The angler let's the marlin eat for a few seconds before hitting strike and hooking up. If the marlin misses the bait, the angler goes to free spool and waits for a second "shot". Marlin have been known to come back several times, but often will sink out if missed on the first shot. All of this action is highly choreographed and the best teams make it look smooth. Timing is everything!
In the video, the mate has taken wraps of the leader and in a rare lapse, Stewart relaxes to try and gain a better view of the fish. The leader wrapped 3 times around the end of the rod. When the fish surged forward it yanked him into the water. The written recount that I saw said the marlin took him down about 50 ft. before the line peeled the guides off the rod and broke the line. When he resurfaced he still had the rod and belt attached.
These are big powerful fish and heavy leaders are used, sometimes are up to 800lb. The leader has to meet IGFA requirements for length, but are open for strength. The line used is connected to this leader. This heavy leader is what the mate wraps with his hand in an attempt to bring about the end game of tagging / releasing or gaffing if a world record. When not record fishing it is likely that they would use "wind on" leaders that could be reeled directly onto the reel. This eliminates the slack once the swivel hits the rod tip and the mate gains some leader when pulling up the fish (Much safer).
For anyone who has never had a chance to catch a Blue Marlin I would highly recommend it. They are big powerful fish and truly a sight to see. It may just change your life and set you on a new adventure such as happened to me.

Tower Todd