BlueWater Issue 144
BlueWater Boats & Game Fishing - Issue 144
Fishing tackle has evolved dramatically over the past 120 years, and in this issue you’ll not only learn how and why, but also see significant treasures from the dawn of game fishing. You’ll also get the story behind the world record for most marlin caught in one day, and learn outrigger secrets that won a fortune in prizemoney. Dr Pepperell reveals the migration of gamefish, and you’ll discover coral jewels lying just below the Great Barrier Reef. Plus you’ll find a detailed boat test, a lure review, an amazing tuna recipe and a whole lot more…
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Bad Company’s 330 marlin in one day
Catching 10 billfish in a day is outstanding; catching 20 is extraordinary – so imagine setting out to beat the world record of 189 billfish releases in a single day. Californian angler Anthony Hsieh did exactly that, assembling a team of champions aboard his amazing fleet of long-range gamefishing cruisers to accomplish it.
PIONEERS OF GAME FISHING TACKLE
Early game fishing tackle was handmade by skilled craftsmen, and the premium examples are true works of art. Appreciating the surviving artefacts enables us to more fully understand this bygone era and the pioneers of our tackle, including the difficulties they overcame and the innovations they developed.
GAMEFISH MIGRATION
– How do oceanic species find their way?
We know from tagging that many species of pelagic fish are capable of long-distance movements. Often, these movements appear to occur in a purposeful way, with fish using some kind of navigation to find their way to a distant destination. But the big question remains, how do they do it? Dr Julian Pepperell tackles this fascinating topic and reveals some intriguing possibilities.
TREASURES AT THE GBR’S SOUTHERN TIP
Barely fished and largely unexplored, the remote grounds at the southern tip of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef beckon like coral jewels. To big game anglers, these waters promise untold riches just waiting to be discovered.
HISTORICAL GAME FISHING
Catching gamefish on string
Since the dawn of game fishing, before the development of Nylon fishing lines after World War II, big gamefish were caught on lines made from an ancient species of plant. As game fishing historian John McIntyre describes, these lines were not easy to use, requiring daily diligence if you were to have any chance of success.
AGEING STRIPED MARLIN IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
Knowing the age of striped marlin is essential to determine how rapidly they grow, which itself is essential information for fishery managers striving to prevent overfishing. However, determining age is a tricky business, sometimes involving scanning electron microscopes and sampling radiocarbon residue from nuclear bomb tests.
BLUEWATER GOURMET
Dogtooth tuna sashimi with avocado, wasabi, furikake and soy
There is only one down-side with this exquisite dish – you’re going to have to go out and catch your own dogtooth tuna! Thankfully they are not a commercial species, but once you’ve caught one game fishing, you’re in for a second amazing experience when you get to taste it.
SMOKE & MIRRORS
JB Lures: ‘Big Donger’
Handcrafted on the south coast of New South Wales, Dave Venn’s JB Lures have developed a strong following and many tournament wins. Dave’s ‘Big Donger’ was clearly developed with big blue marlin in mind. This is a hard-charging lure that dives deep and tears water with an action that cannot be ignored.
BOATING FEATURES
BOAT TEST: BOSTON WHALER 380 OUTRAGE
The WOW factor
Boston Whaler’s centre-console Outrage models are among the most highly regarded outboard-powered game fishing boats on the market. One of their most recent models is the spectacularly effective 380 Outrage. Sporting the thrilling power of three Mercury 300hp V8 Verados, this purpose-built offshore gamefisher is also packed with sumptuous family-focussed comforts. This hard-core fishing boat will wow the whole family whenever called on for its dual role as an entertainer and sun-cruiser.
OUTRIGGER FUNDAMENTALS
PART 3: Release clips, taglines and setup
Outriggers are far more than simple tools to spread the lines. They can be used to very effectively fine-tune the action of your lures and baits, while also creating opportunities for multiple-hook-ups. In consultation with tournament-winning US charter captain Ray Rosher, Dave Ferrell explains the variety of release clips, their advantages and the significant difference that your outrigger setup can have on your hook-up success.
BUY YOUR PRINTED COPY HERE NOW
