| Nyati Marlin Mania Offshore Report
North Padre Island, TX
July 10th-12th, 2009
Report by Scott 'Old Salt' Nelson |
Out to sea once again!! Heading out Friday afternoon, we saw the blue
water was creeping ever closer to the beach--a good omen. Hordes of flyers
in waters less than 100' provided the optimism necessary to pound through
some sporty seas.
The last month or so has yielded some tremendous billfish catches
on the Texas Coast. Lots of sailfish have been caught right off the Port
Aransas jetties. An enterprising individual could certainly have a shot at
catching a sail in a kayak if conditions permitted.
Joining myself, Nate, YT and VRC on this NYATI adventure were
Jacob, Matt and Kevin. We stopped for a brief evening troll before dark,
which yielded a nice sail for Kevin.
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After the brief trolling session, we chugged along through a difficult,
fairly rough and largely sleepless night.
We arrived at a tremendous rip near a traditional productive area.
When a rip coincides with fish-holding structure, the seas usually teem with
life! Lots of bait . . . bigger fish eating the bait . . . and marlin and
big sharks eating fish which only thought they were the apex predators.
After setting out the spread, we immediately hook up with a nice Wahoo.
Jacob hits the chair, with YT on the leader.
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About an hour later, Matt gets our first blue marlin of the day, which
provides us with an excellent aerial display.
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YT bills while Matt celebrates his first Blue.
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The Marlin bite is briefly interrupted by double and triple Yellowfin
Tuna knockdowns, which will continue throughout the trip.
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We always gut the tuna and pack the belly with ice to keep our inner Japanese
sushi chefs proud.
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About 11:00, the Yellowfin give us a brief break, and we catch our
second marlin of the day--a little white. Jacob jumps in the chair and quickly
brings the overmatched billfish to the boat.
We put the spread back out and immediately entice a Blue, which greyhounds
across the water. I hop down from the wheel to the chair. The Marlin stays
deep and produces a solid fight.
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Nate expertly leaders her up .
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. . . and we have another solid Blue.
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The tuna returned, with instant hookups every time we got the spread right.
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VRC gets in the chair and quickly brings in a nice tuna.
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Photo
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We released a ton of Yellowfin. Putting a towel over their eyes calms
them down for release without too much harm.
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We eventually just opened the tuna door and let them come in by
themselves. Not really, but it was almost like that.
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We continued down the rip and got away from the yellowfin. A solid
blue smashes into our spread, so Jacob gets back in the chair.
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Kevin bills her up, yielding yet another Blue.
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On down the road we travel. Double knockdown. Fish number one
greyhounds--blue marlin. Fish number two stays deep before coming to the
surface--yet another blue. Kevin and Matt grab the rods as we determine the
best way to get both fish in with only a six man crew.
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Fortunately, one heads to the port side, while one goes starboard.
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Both fish come to the boat at about the same time. Bill #1 is billed.
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Shortly thereafter, the second is brought to the boat.
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After we get the spread back out, we are back in business. Four lines
go down within seconds. At least two were whites, one was a Yellowfin, and
the other was unknown. We boat a White (no picture) and another pesky tuna.
We put the spread out and get another White.
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We turn around and go back through the barrage of fish. A white blasts
through the spread, and Nate jumps the chair.
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A big White rolls in, and somehow we have caught 9 Marlin in a single day.
Unbelievable!
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We sleep well after a hard day in the sun. We get up the next morning
for a few last shots. Nate quickly brings in another nice blue to end our
marlin madness.
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Good ole' YT thanks me for helping to drive his boat.
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Matt bills it up, and its all good.
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We have a little time left before heading back to land. A greyhounding
fish busts the spread. We think it is another Marlin, but it turns out to
be a big Wahoo. YT gets in the chair and expertly brings the fish to gaff.
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We release one more tuna before the trip home.
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There are many Marlin destinations around the world which brag about
offering a Marlin shot or two a day. Anglers (many of us included) travel
at great expense without realizing the enormous potential in their own backyard.
Returning to land, we hoist the flags and celebrate a trip for the ages.
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Thanks again YT and crew for another truly remarkable and historic
adventure. All is well on the Marlin vessel NYATI.
- Old Salt
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