Club Meeting with Marlin Seminar...
Marina Del Rey Anglers get ready for Marlin Season
MDRA members meeting on Wednesday August 14th 2002
Recount of the club meeting by Keith LambertIf you have a hankern' for more knowledge about Marlin fishin' then you shoulda' been there! Good going Richard Somers for putting on the discussion panel on Marlin.
The give and take from the audience in the well-handled meeting format gave us a lot of key information. What type of information your want to know? Well read on I may drop a few of the pearls I learned later on in this article.
The Meeting of the club came to order a little later than usual at 7:48 pm instead of the 7:30 scheduled time as so many were trying to decide weather to sell raffle tickets and the local fishing had to be discussed between all the friends old and new.
The new members and the directors in attendance were introduced. Then a few announcements to key issues were handled. Ken Raymond announced that YES he will chair the 2003 MDR Halibut Derby! He shared a little about the invites and key volunteer positions that he needs help with. All of you who read this are invited to help. If you know about the great work that has been done taking kids fishing you know just how useful each dollar raised can be. So tell Ken where you can help when you see him next. Help finding prize donations of all types is the primary focus for the next 5 months.
The second announcement was about the Marlin Tournament we are fishing as a club. Keith Lambert (yours truly) gave a quick overview of the event. The KHMC Marlin Tournament is a good event held in Avalon on Sept. 27th and 28th 2002. It is followed by a good party and awards dinner with LOTS of Raffle and Door PRIZES. Get your entry form and money to Keith by the next meeting of August 11th. Keith has to get the money to KHMC no later than the 12th.
How to Win the KH Marlin Tournament...
Catch and release Marlin for 200 pts or 1 pt per pound for marlin kept.
Swordfish 1 ˝ points per pound. ?Tuna over 50 pounds earns points.That is the basics. The information was passed out in detail to the attendees. Be sure to return your money directly to Keith so he knows all the MDRA member entrants for the top MDRA boat/team category. The fee is $100 per angler. Teams of 4 are recommended.
Then back to Richard Somers and the expert Marlin Panel was seated. The anglers in the hot seats were:
- Steve Zukerman - World wide fishermen with 24 Granders + 10 Swordfish (some even on 12 and 20 pound line) to his credit
- Carl Lambert - Past HIBT winner and very active marlin hunter.
- Ron Smothers - Holds the record for the longest fight in HIBT history of over 23 hours on a fish estimated at 1500 pounds. Fishes the Zane Gray and the Drambuie Classic money tournaments etc. with a skilled team led by Mark Aguilara. (former owner of Purfield's Pro Tackle)
Now that is some impressive credentials. They spend the time out there. They are also the types who are just as interested in hearing what you have to share about your experiences while fishing for marlin.
Richard as the moderator had a few of the hot items to talk about as things such as: Areas to fish; sighting marlin; lures; tackle setup; and releasing the fish.
These anglers shared all the locations they track for the news and tips on the fish movements. They explained how you have to have your ears and eyes on the information that is available to make sure you spend your time in the most productive waters possible.
Team effort to Sight them and zero in on this hard to find fish was discussed. Making sure that the people with good spotting skills worked on the area around the boat. One tip was to make sure the spotters were well fed and kept alert. One tip was to keep those who could spot them also kept a vigilant look out closer in as the fish may 'pop up' near the boat to look you over. Especially in the lure pattern or near the teasers.
Is a fish is seen in the lures or a knock down happens in the lure pattern… Don't hesitate one bit: Get the Drop Back into the water. Don't forget the drop back. "Drop Back" Def: " a mackerel or Spanish mackerel already hooked to a marlin rig that has a swivel in the leader that is kept ready and very handy in the live bait well on the back of the boat for the moment a marlin is spotted" So now you know not to forget the drop back. Before fighting the fish that stuck the lure. Do not forget the drop back. Before the lines are cleared for the other trolled lures. Do not forget the drop back. Before the boat comes off speed. Do not forget the drop back. So it is important to have someone in the cockpit watching the lures and coached to not forget the drop back.
A very cool suggestion Steve made was that there should be an angle between the boat and the fish so that you have a better chance to set the hook when you strike it. (easy does it with circle hooks)
All agreed that if a long fight is starting to happen on the rear of the boat. Send the unneeded person to soak a live bait on the bow. Just don't have light line on this second line out. Therefore if it gets picked up you can control it for less trouble and shorter time to boat. Remember if there is one hooked up there is very likely a few more marlin lurking about out of sight.
Ron likes to fish money tournaments and therefore trolls 50 # test line to get the fish to the boat fast. Fewer fish are lost with heavy line. He also recommends getting to know the skills of you team and learning who can cast and how far.
A lot of talk went on about the length of the rods to use but is summed up by Steve, "The lighter the line… the longer the rod."
A hot question Richard, the moderator, posed was: "What is your one best lure for marlin?"
- Carl: A Zucker 5.5 in Black and Purple
- Steve: A Kona head in Black and Orange
- Ron: A set of Doornobs and put out a uniform look like a school of bait.
So while trolling the idea is to find the fish. The variables of trolling speed and boat condition are way to variable for this review. So make sure you are at the next meeting or hire a professional to tune up your boat to the tackle and conditions of the day.
As the moderator brought of a lot of points to the panel the answers could be summed up to this… Revive the fish in the water by the boat. Handle the fish only to retrieve a Lure or Double Hook set etc. Don't use stainless steal hooks. Most hooks will come out on its own if you cut the fish free as close as you dare. "If you release it there is a much better chance it will survive."
Then after the panel was opened up to questions and deeper discussion of the issues the hot topic of live bate presentation and bridle hooking mackerel was reviewed. More review of trolling speeds. More information on how to foster cooperation and teamwork. Suggestions of hand signals for better boat control. How to handle fish that are down deep and sulking. *
Carl also demonstrated the proper way to "take a wrap" so that you can release the leader if the fish gets unruly and you have to let go fast.
Then Steve reviewed the tips to how to win the fight with a Swordfish. He is the biggest badest of the billfish and he knows it. That is why he is not afraid of your boat. So… Do not miss on your first attempt to gaff the fish when you do get him near the boat. There will not likely be a second chance. He ever shared the way to stop a sward fish run. *(Hot info for MDRA Members who were there)
It was a great learning meeting. Thanks Richard, Steve, Carl, and Ron.
Here is Ron's boat Big Momma - with a tournament fish on the swim step! (KHMT of 2006)
After a small break for coffee and snack we heard from Paul Simon who leads the fine group of dedicated volunteers who raise white seabass in our harbor. He reported that were recently received approx 3500 4 inch fish. Our success is anchored by the fact the pens have raised and released a total of 35,100 fish in the 7 years they have been operating here in Marina Del Rey.
He told us that the farthest range of the fish re released and recovers is one that we released 3 years ago at 10 inches that was caught at 31 inches and 17 pounds way up in Santa Barbara. Each batch of fish we receive has a code number microscopically imbedded into the head bones.
Also reviewed was the frequently caught long strings of eggs now floating around in Santa Monica Bay. They are clear and the fish in the egg can be seen with its eyes and long tail. One member explained is was Thresher Shark spawn. (please return to the water)
An announcement from Larry Silver reviewed the September 6th to 8th Marlin / Tuna challenge. Call or email him to get involved.
Another Vagabond trip for next year is being planed. This one will be a 4 day trip for $920. The exact date is still uncertain.
That sums up the whole meeting. We finished up at approx. 9:30 pm.
