Marlin June/July 2019

There is no other feeling in the world like being connected to a much-larger-than-average fish that stretches your tackle right to the breaking point. I’m talking about one of those fights where you realize your opponent has a very good chance of escaping, even if you do everything right. The line cracks and pings like an overtightened guitar string, and you pray the hook doesn’t pull, the leader doesn’t fray and a thousand other things won’t go wrong. The tug is the drug, as they say, and it’s a powerful one, as addictive as any narcotic in the world. In full disclosure: I have never caught a truly huge marlin. My biggest is around 475 pounds or so. A nice fish but not extra-large, and because we released it, as…

SAILS UP Capt. Divan Coetzee was in the right place at exactly the right moment in time to capture this image of a Pacific sailfish in full flight. “The light was perfect in the early morning, but the sailfish weren’t cooperating, jumping directly into the sunlight. We finally started catching a few more and got lucky with this one.” LOCATION Coetzee was running the 40-foot Gamefisherman, Rum Line, for Capt. Chris Sheeder, fishing the calm Pacific waters off Puerto San Jose, Guatemala. TECH SPECS CAMERA: Canon EOS 7D Mark II LENS: Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8 IS II ISO: 1,250 APERTURE: f/6.3 SPEED: 2,500 sec…

As president of the American Sportfishing Association, Glenn Hughes is a very busy man. Created in 1933 to represent tackle manufacturers, the ASA is the sport-fishing industry’s trade association; today, it supports the interests of hundreds of businesses, agencies and organizations and is the champion for the multibillion-dollar industry as a whole. The ASA is responsible not only for promoting fishing-friendly legislation in Congress, but also for producing the sport’s largest trade show and managing several important advocacy and outreach programs. Hughes and his wife Beth reside in Annapolis, Maryland; their 25-year-old son, Conor, works in Florida, helping to promote sport fishing with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. What are some of your earliest fishing memories? My twin brother and I grew up with our other three siblings outside…

What better way to enjoy a relaxing summer evening than with a fine rum? We have curated a dynamic cross section of the popular spirit, so choose a favorite, mix a classic daiquiri with crushed ice and fresh lime juice, pour on the rocks or sip neat. And always enjoy responsibly, of course. a. Papa’s Pilar 24 Dark The 24 Dark is expertly blended in bourbon barrels, port wine and Spanish sherry casks. It features a rich, caramelized orange, maple, vanilla and toasted almond taste profile and a long, velvety finish. b. Frigate Reserve 21 After months of trial and error, the founders of Frigate Reserve unanimously agreed that the 21-year-old was the finest example of a traditional, iconic rum that they had ever tasted. With less sweetness than others,…

By 3 p.m. on Day One of the second leg in the 2019 Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown, the fleet had surpassed the total release numbers for all of Leg One, with 45 teams averaging 46 fish per boat by the end of the tournament. Costa Rica’s sailfish bite turned on this year, as Team Galati took the spotlight on the opening day of Leg Two, releasing double after double, passing Big Oh by 300 points and winning top daily boat honors. The second day of the event was a literal game of hopscotch between Team Galati, Fish Tank and Tarheel, because the three teams bounced around the top positions seemingly by the minute. Team Galati released a marlin midday, launching it 600 points above second-place Tarheel. Meanwhile, Team Sea…

QUEST FOR THE CREST SAILFISH SERIES West Palm Beach to Miami, Florida Jan. 16 – April 7, 2019 Utopia won Leg One of the series—Operation Sailfish—with 14 sailfish releases; Native Son won Leg Two—Sailfish Challenge—with 20 sailfish releases; and Showtime won Leg Three—Final Sail—with 15 sailfish releases to secure the overall series win with a total of 39 releases and 80 series points. Team Kluch/Reel Easy placed second in the series with a total of 78 points, and BAR South finished third in the series with 76 points. BAR South’s Rob Gothier won the Master Angler award, and Sandman’s Sandra MacMillan won the Top Female Angler award. MARINA CASA DE CAMPO OPEN La Romana, Dominican Republic March 14-16, 2019 Capt. Brent Gaskill led the Huddle family’s Jarrett Bay 64, Builder’s…