ANTICIPATION Adventures

It looks like the ANTICIPATION is off to a good start this season. On the 19th of June, Bobbie Connolly from Austin, Texas landed a Black Marlin that was at first believed to weigh in the 650 to 700 pound range. It was caught at La Corbetenia on a Penn International 50 with 50 lb. test line. The hook up was at 3:30 pm and 4 hours and 50 minutes later they finally got the fish in the boat. This was Bobbie's 'Dream of a Lifetime' and his Wife and Mom and Dad were aboard to share the experience.

It was 2 pm and everyone was exhausted. With a 3 hour trip back to the Marina, Dad and Bob decided to call it a day however, Captain Ed was determined to help Bob catch a trophy fish. They reeled in all of the lines and changed the rigging back again for big fish. "We may be heading home but we're at least going to have a line in the water and troll as we go in", said Captain Ed. ZZZing! Nothing can describe the sound of a reel spinning out of control when a big fish takes hold. The boat came alive! Bob jumped in the fighting chair, George set the hook and gave him the pole. ZZZing! Another one! They offered Dad the chair but he declined. With 3 Marlin and a Sailfish already mounted at home, Mom said that there was absolutely no room for another. Dad decided not to set the hook and let the second one go. It was about 3 pm. About 200 yards out, Bob's fish jumped clean out of the water. "Marlin", Captain Ed said, "Should take about 2 hours to reel it in. 300 pounds I recon." Bob, George and Luis took turns reeling. Finally Captain Ed took the pole. "Woah! A lot bigger than 300 pounds." They would reel for over an hour, get the Marlin close to the boat, then Zzing! Off he went again, taking all of the line you just reeled in, and a little more. This happened several times and even became comical. Finally, almost 5 hours later, the Marlin could fight no more. He died from the fight but better club him just to be sure. The four of them looked over the back of the boat, staring in wonder and amazement. What came to mind was the quote from the movie JAWS….."We need a bigger boat"! They never could get the Marlin on board, but at least not all of it. One hour later, 6 feet of the marlin was in the boat with the other 8 feet hanging out the back. It was 8:30 pm and the sun would be setting soon. Time to head home. They pulled up to the dock at around 11 pm. Everyone who usually helps unload and weigh the catch had called it a day long ago. So Luis and George's family came out to help which cost Dad a few extra ice cold cervezas. 17 hours on the water. Almost 6 hours of using every muscle in your body fighting the Marlin and pulling him on board. Was it worth it? "Absolutely", Bobbie replied.