Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tunas, Dorado, and Amberjack

As we say goodbye to January and welcome in February I can’t help but reminisce on last season’s January record breaking week when the fleet released ninety five marlin during the six days. It was indeed a historic moment for us at the lodge.

We’ve set the bar high, so high that I often wonder is this feat would ever be achieved or surpassed again. This much I know, Piñas Bay holds many secrets. In my opinion, it has to be the best darn fishin’ hole I’ve ever been. It seems so easy sometimes; head to the Reef, catch live baits, put them out and wham, Marlin en la linea!  Oh, and while you’re waiting for that fish of a lifetime, you can have some fun catching giant 50-60 lb dorados on a regular basis. Also, throw in a few 100 lb+ Yellowfin Tuna. Need I say more? Of course, fishing is fishing sometimes and sure the days do seem long especially when one has to wait a couple of hours for Mr. Marlin to stretch the line. When she appears from the depths, grabs the bait and goes airborne, propelling all 400 lbs of her twenty feet into the air, then you tame her and get her to the leader, the hours or days spent waiting all seems insignificant.

This Margot Vincent joined us again at Piñas Bay. He visits us so much that it’s difficult to even call her a guest, more like family. She did being the fly rods this time and the intention was to get some sails but it was not meant to be this trip. The north winds blew relentlessly last week and it made it difficult to throw the fly. She decided to use the conventional tackle, so unlike her, but Margot always told me; Albert I’ll fish for what’s there. Well, she did just that and wound up releasing 2 BLUE MARLIN in the 400 lb range, a lovely BLACK MARLIN and her first STRIPED MARLIN estimated at 150 lbs for a week’s SLAM.

Tom Young got really lucky and was able to hang on to a magnificent BLACK MARLIN that was estimated at 700 lbs, his first ever. Ben Machielsc, Ira Drogan, Bradley Stefan and John Massard also released their first BLACK MARLIN all in the 400 lb range. Andrew Webster and William Nusz also realized their dream, catching their first BLACK MARLIN.  Jimmy Bent released his first STRIPED MARLIN around 180 lbs and Robert Hunter released his first PACIFIC SAILFISH.

Tight Lines,

Albert Battoo
DOCKMASTER