The best Marlin Territory

  • I think if I had to make a decision based on catching the Blue Marlin most people only get to dream about , I would choose to fish Ascension Island located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean . This very isolated island has been open to tourism only recently and the fishing pressure has been very light. The famous big game boat , God`s Favor visited Ascension Island and reported that they raised more granders (fish 1000# or larger) than anywhere they have fished. That is saying a lot about the potential of the island for harboring huge fish. Boat crews often catch Yellowfin Tuna while anchored in the harbor. Access to deep water is so close to shore , there is no need to put the boat on plane and make a high speed run to the fishing grounds. Currently there is a 38 foot Bertram named Shy III operating out of Ascension Island. The true potential of the fishery will be known when more boats show up to fish these pristine waters.

    Let God be true ; and every fisherman a liar.

    Einmal editiert, zuletzt von Robalo ()

  • Currently the Shy III is run by captain Ian Carter and his mate is Olaf Grimkowski. Their season runs from November to the middle of December when they break for the holidays. Then they run from January till the end of June. If one were to consider booking a trip to Ascension Island , it would be good to go through them because they can arrange to have you flown by RAF transport which is currently the only air transport to the island. It would be best to book with them during the peak marlin season during the best moon phase. Marlin feed more actively during the proper moon phase which can be different in various locations. All prices are in British pounds , payable in euros. The island itself is sitting in the middle of the Atlantic halfway between Angola and Brasil where migrating big game fish stop to load up on food . One is simply pursuing whatever shows up during their migration accross the open Atlantic Ocean crossing. This is why I suggested picking the peak activity period of these migrating pelagics. Another thing to consider is if one has a pet lure , they should bring them along. Some fishermen would not be without a Moldcraft Widerange lure for instance.

    Let God be true ; and every fisherman a liar.

    Einmal editiert, zuletzt von Robalo ()

  • Hi Robalo and others
    The norm, certainly over the past three seasons in Ascension has been for the crews to finish fishing at the end of April.


    Although they have certainly fished July before and still caught Marlin. In fact on 4th July 2004 one of our Club members, Denis Froud, caught a 1043 pounder. I only remember the date because Denis was competing in the global July 4th tournament and hooked it 10 minutes after the end of the competition. Astoundingly the 10 minutes wouldn't have made any difference because the tournament was won with an 1100 pounder from Bermuda!


    Shy 3, with Ian and Olaf, actually stopped fishing this year towards the end of February and the boat is currently out of the water. I understand though that a photographic crew, the ones that filmed the BBC's Blue Planet series, are intending to take a 3 week charter there shortly. Perhaps these are the same ones that were with Ian in Faial (Azores) last year? But there’s no fishing planned.


    As well as Shy 3 though Harmattan, a 36’ Rampage Express skippered by Matthias Henningsen also operates from Ascension. Although Matthias will be there until the end of April I believe he has only the one slot available on what is a mixed charter - two German Doctors and an Australian.


    And I guess when you realise that the Australian is travelling effectively more than half way around the world you can start to appreciate its potential for BIG Blue Marlin. I'm not certain how many 'granders' they have taken in the short while the island has been open to tourists, but it's certainly at least 5 weighed. And the biggest, taken by the God's Will / God's Favor operation was 1337lbs. (This operation is now fishing the Pacific.)


    As well as the BIG fish and there some images and contact details of the two remaining operations on our Club's web site they also get numbers - normally smaller fish - especially in the March/April period. Here the preferred method is Bait 'n' Switch with Stand-up gear. Great fun, and really exciting!


    But as Robalo mentioned it's not just about Marlin. They're loads of back-up species.


    And in fact the Yellowfin Tuna that have been taken to nearly 300lbs in weight can prove a nuisance. There're, at times, just so many of them. Of late, when you chunk for them in the evening at anchor - on the edge of the 600' dropoff, Matthias has taken to catching 60 pounders with specialised jigs fishing on spin gear! Alright they're Shimano Stellas and they can get up to 25lbs of drag on the reels. But, during the summer months, Yellowfin are occasionally also caught by the locals from the shore!


    Some Big Eyes have been taken and, the first time that I fished there, we had abortive strikes from what we were convinced were Bluefin Tuna.


    Shark-wise you can catch masses of Galapagos Sharks - the world All Tackle record taken from there went 308lbs. And Sixgills, fished on the bottom, range up to 1298lbs - again a world A/T record - although I suspect they grow much. much larger. At times the bottom seems 'carpeted' with them and the quickest bite I can remember came within 38 seconds of the bait touching the bottom! They also catch Makos and Threshers and occasional Tiger Sharks.


    As well as the Blue Marlin they also encounter White Marlin, Broadbill Swordfish, Spearfish and big - for the Atlantic - Sailfish. And just co-incidentally the day that Denis Froud caught that 'grander' Blue he also had a White Marlin and a Spearfish - a 'Grand Slam'.


    Apart from these there're masses of Jacks - Black Jacks, Horse Eye, Almaco and Amberjacks. And, of course the A/T Horse Eye comes from Ascension! They also catch good sized Dorado and Rainbow Runners, together with Grouper, Snapper and Oilfish from the bottom.


    You can see I'm also a fan! But there are also some other excellent places for Marlin and I'll mention those in a subsequent post
    Kindest regards
    Dave

    Dave
    Honorary Life President
    Sportfishing Club of the British Isles

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