When the full moon comes upon us in the Abacos, the Marlin bite practically comes to a standstill and the month of June has been no exception. So the Reel Candy Crew found it necessary to spend a day with the reigning 2009 Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, from Venezuela. We started off with a great breakfast at the Abaco Beach Resort, followed by a long photo shoot, than some Island hopping over to Hopetown. That little island surely came alive when we pulled up to the dock with this beautiful young lady on board. Never have we had so many offers from guys to be a mate at no charge for the day!! Definitely not a bad way to spend some down time in the Islands, huh ?
Now, back to reality and the fishing reports. Yesterday, both the Reel Candy and the Island Candy were booked for Marlin trips. The bite has been very slow coming off the moon. Aboard the Reel Candy were Stephen Voight Senior and Stephen Voight Junior, both from Sarasota, Florida. We have known these great guys for many years and it is always a pleasure to fish with them. Yesterday was no exception as Stephen Sr. tangoed with a large White Marlin . Fourteen year old First Mate Eric Levinsky did an outstanding job placing a perfect tag shot in the acrobatic beauty before the fish was photo’d and released. Great job Stephen, Eric and Captain Marvin!!
Meanwhile, aboard the Island Candy, Captain Kevin had Brian, Karen, Christopher and Kevin Bailey from Columbus, Ohio for the day. Dad was pretty insistent that the boys crank on something, “Just to bend a rod.” No problem dad. “How’s bout we start off with this 400 lb plus Blue Marlin?” Seventeen year old Christopher was up first on the rod when the drag started screaming and was in for a little more than he expected. The fish spent the first two minutes of the fight in the air and put on a spectacular show in the flat calm conditions. It seemed like the big girl was never gonna stop jumping. Forty five minutes later, our mate Greg got his hands around the leader and brought the fish alongside for some pix.
Once that Marlin was released, we noticed the fourteen year old Kevin was fast asleep, so it was dad that was up next on the rod. Not a half hour passes when the same lure gets pummeled by another Blue. We were able to see the bite from the bridge, but that was it. The 200 lb fish never jumped at all. He of course was saving all his energy for the moment Greg grabbed the wire. The fish felt he had a score to settle and took it out on Greg alongside the boat. Greg held on and got the hook out and some more pictures. That fish needed no time to recover and swam away with an Attitude! That’s OK, we won and that’s all that matters right ??!!
Later in the afternoon, fourteen year old Kevin is awakened by what he thinks is an alarm clock, but in reality it’s the bridge rod screaming off line. We hand the rod down to him as a beautiful 25 lb Mahi dances across the water. He also did an outstanding job with the fish and now the family of four had their dinner plans finalized!
On the way back in, we hit a major rainstorm and had to slow the boat to idle speed, just to be on the safe side. Back at the dock, dad and Christopher figured they were already drenched from the rain, so they took a tandem plunge off the dock to celebrate their first Blue Marlin.
Congratulations to Stephen Sr, Christopher and Brian on your Marlin and a great day spent on the water. That is why we do, what we do! I wonder what Miss America is doing next week ??