Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado

Happy New Year to all of our TSL friends. Well what a way to bring in the new year. The week was an all out bite; the billfish were everywhere, on the reef and offshore. It really began on the Tuesday. A giant school of Blues were located just west of the reef and all 13 boats got in on the action. I recall that afternoon seeing 5 boats backing down on fish is a mess of birds and feeding bonitos. Incredible! The next few days were similar…..lots of marlin and sails were feeding and most boats returned with 2-3 marlin releases. One boat released 3 Blue Marlin out of 8 hookups. One angler , Brian Luecke, caught an absolute MONSTER of a Yellowfin Tuna on the reef that tipped the scales at 310 lbs; biggest we've seen here in years! Sixty eight Marlin and 87 Sails were released for the week.

Randy Gianni release his first Black Marlin estimated at 550 lbs and also released his first Pacific Blue Marlin, 400lbs and Pacific Sailfish as well. Don Brown released his first Black Marlin that went 450 lbs to complete his Royal Billfish Slam. Daryl Rooney released his first two Black Marlin estimated at 525lbs and 300 lbs. Gary Rooney also released a nice 400 lb Black Marlin and first Pacific Sailfish estimated at 150 lbs; huge fish.

Jim Sloan also released a big Black Marlin around 500 lbs. Jeff Page had some great luck this week as well and released his first Black Marlin 300 lbs, another that went 500+ lbs,  a Pacific Blue Marlin 250 lbs and Pacific Sailfish over 100 lbs. Sean Barnett also scored bid this week releasing his first Black Marlin, 400 lbs, Pacific Blue Marlin, 250 lbs and even got his first Pacific Sailfish, 80 lbs. Jay Smith released his first Black Marlin estimated at 400 lbs, Pacific Blue Marlin, 350 lbs and Pacific Sailfish around 100 lbs. Scott Smith nailed his first Pacific Blue Marlin over 450 lbs.

Tony Minadeo has some great luck as well , releasing his first Black Marlin, 300 lbs and Pacific Sailfish. Nick Andreoni returned with his first 400 lb Black Marlin and Bill Andreoni scored his first Pacific Blue Marlin around 250 lbs. Thomas Connolly released his first Pacific Blue Marlin estimated at 400 lbs and Michael Bauer also released his first Black Marlin, 300 lbs and Pacific Sailfish, 110 lbs. Greg Maciver released his first Black Marlin estimated at 280 lbs and Pacific Sailfish.

It’s definitely shaping up to be a hot January and I am certain that in the weeks to come the bite will get even better.

Tight Lines!

Albert Battoo
Fishing Director