Fishing, Women and Blue Marlin

Hi Everyone
I wanted to take a moment and tell you about our recent fishing charter in Punta Cana. The deep-sea fishing that we do with Big Marlin Charters is not hard at all. It is easy, fun and spectacularly beautiful. It is very safe & female friendly. So, if you have any concerns as a woman that you could not handle what is needed to enjoy this super fun excursion, I want to assure that you can. I have a very experienced deck hands that will be right by your side to make sure that you get and have as much fun as it is possible. If we get lucky and we find lots of fish the trip can be really exciting and if you want a more relaxed time you can lie in the sun with a cold drink and some tasty sandwiches.
I recently booked a charter with 2 clients, both women, Joanna and Cathy. It is unusual to have an offshore deep sea fishing charter with just women. But I want to assure you that it is perfectly normal. I wish we had more, it is so much fun, easy and safe to do. Let me tell you how it went.
We all got on board and I gave them my routine safety speech and short tour of the boat. We had only a little chop, maybe 3 feet+/-. It was a beautiful sunny calm day.
I know a spot that always has good Mahi Mahi fishing in Punta Cana. Those fishing spots are all marked on our boats navigation systems. I like 740 Garmin. So, I always know exactly where we are. These fish are also known as Dorado. They are truly beautiful and interesting, they are very athletic with long thin body. Mahi Mahi almost look like they are fluorescent, unreal, out of this world. You can watch them coming up toward the yacht and they look like a blue-green light bulb. Really pretty, almost hypnotic to watch. Not to mention how tasty they are, cooked Dominican style in a local on the shore restaurant on the beach. One of the ladies was ready to go, she was excited and couldn’t wait to get some on the line. The other seemed to be more interested in getting some sun than getting some fish. It’s all good, It’s lazy Dominican Time. Do what you want. On our fishing boat Fortuna 42’ there’s place for both.
The fishing is always better when we have a little chop, waves of 4-5 ft. are just perfect. The bait always behaves more like a live fish, breaking the water, jumping and splashing. This attracts more fish. It is always beautiful to be on the ocean, but it is much more exciting when we can hook some fish. This day was a quiet day, the ocean was taking a rest.
It was quiet for a couple of hours, no Mahi Mahi, lots of sun, but no fish. Magic spells Fishy Fishy Fishy not work today) As we were chatting about something we suddenly heard the left side reel began bussing loudly. That meant we got a fish. I love that sound, it is always so exciting to hear. The best symphony from Peen Reel 80 ! I got to the reel quickly and let the fish run without about 2 yards of line, then I stopped it suddenly which really sets the hook. Then we know that we really have hooked the fish. Then I let the fish run again. If you have a short line a serious fish will break it easily. The fish took about half reel the line in less than 5 seconds. This is very fast. This was a big fish. I wanted to make sure we had the hook set deeply, so I stopped the line suddenly and pulled the rod at the same moment. Immediately I was pulled to the boat rail. This was a big strong fish. It is a great feeling when you hook a fish like that, the rod is bent, the line is taut, no slack, no give at all. The line looks like it will break if you touch it.
Joanna and Cathy were both really interested and excited, but they were not sure what to do and so we were there to assist them. I had to really work this fish, he was really strong. With a lot of effort and all my strength I finally got the rod back into the fishing chair and rod holder. My 1 st mate, Vladimir was a big help. We knew with a fish this strong it had to be a Blue Marlin.
We realized that neither Joanne nor Cathy would be able to bring this fish into the boat by themselves. Vladimir and I would have to help. So, Joanne got in the chair and Vladimir and I helped her with the rod. Joanne worked the reel by herself. You have to pull the rod back and then release some of the tension to reel some of the line in. Slowly but surely you bring the fish in closer to the boat that way. Joanne did a great job and had a great time. We were all very excited and yelling.
After about 20 minutes the fish gets tired. It just cannot keep this type of effort up for long. We saw his fin break the surface first. I grabbed the gaff, which is a big hook on a pole. I hooked him with that and Vladimir and I pulled him abroad. Really a great catch, one of my best ever. Big strong Blue Marlin and a very exciting time for everyone. Really fun! Joanna and Cathy were so happy with the entire trip. They promised they would do fishing again in Punta Cana
Try this, it is safe, fun, exciting, beautiful, will be the highlight of your entire vacation.
Friendly.
Cap. Yustas Fortuna