During some down-time at home in Pedasi (May 2019), I heard some news from one of the local fisherman that many Sailfish and a few Black Marlin had been spotted around the 12 mile mark. It's unusual to find them so close to shore here on this side of the Azuero Peninsula and I was quick to react and book a panga with one of my buddies to go and have a crack at them.
The idea of battling with a big billfish solo from a panga holds great appeal. I'd much rather do it like this than from a big game boat with all the crew and trimings. Man against Beast - that's how I like to do it. If you've read the 'Old man and the Sea' by Hemmingway, then you get the idea!
I set my sights on a Sailfish and readied the rods paired with TLD25's loaded up with mono and lots of braid for backing. The fishing itself is pretty simple, just slow-trolling small live bonito behind the boat. A leader of 150lb finished off with a good strong circle hook is all that's required.
Catching the baits is always the tricky bit as you never know if the're going to be easy to get or not! Thankfully, the day I went out they were plentiful. The problem was getting a couple of the right size as they were mostly verging on the larger end of the spectrum. With time though, we got what we needed and my captain and I got to work.
It's a game of patience and location when seeking these fish. We plyed the area where the fish had been spotted previously for around an hour and then to my surprise the right hand rod ripped off, screaming like a banshee with line melting from the spool. I reeled in the second rod, grabbed the screamer and wound down tight to enable the circle hook to do its job.
What happened next is something that will stick with me and haunt me for the rest of my days!
A black marlin of an estimated 600 lbs leapt from the water behind the panga, thrashing its head wildly in a bid to shake the hook and then took off. It ran at break neck speed, leaping and greyhounding across the surface of the ocean, it was incredible to watch.
The reel screamed in protest and the line continued to peel off in volumes at a rate I could never imagine possible! I just hung on and marvelled at the spectacle unfolding infront of me. After around 25 seconds, the spool was empty and the fish gone, never to be seen again.
WOW!
I returned the next day, this time with a proper marlin stick, Penn Senator reel and a stand-up fighting harness to try again. And try we did. For many hours we worked the very same water and it wasn't until 5 hours in that one of the rods ripped off again......and then stopped.
I reeled the bait in to inspect it and as it reached the boat I noticed an ominous, dark shape following slowly behind. It was a beautiful Pacific Sailfish, come right in to the side of the panga. It was eyeing up the now dead bonito.
At this point, I wasn't sure what to do. So, I lifted the bait out of the water and threw it 6 feet in front of the fishes bill and twitched it. Instantly, the sailfish pounced on it and took off. Paying out line for a good 15 seconds or so gave the fish a chance to turn the bait and then I wound down to a satisfying resistance as the hook pulled home.
It wasn't the greatest fight on stand-up marlin gear, but beggars can't be choosers. I was still thrilled to catch the beautiful specimen. Lots of fun from a panga on your own.
If only I'd taken the marlin gear out the day before instead...........this may well have been a very different story.
Next time!
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