Marlin magazine is an international billfishing magazine that gives you updates on the world's hottest billfishing destinations, insider tips on live-baiting and trolling, glimpses of people influencing the sport and reviews on the latest equipment.
It’s a rare occurrence nowadays to fish a billfish tournament where the focus isn’t about big-money checks or perennial accolades. Long gone are the events where good times and camaraderie are the goal; going to fish a fun event with both angler and boat rotations is more or less extinct. However, the No Sancocho Sailfish Shootout at Casa Vieja Lodge is the exception to the current trend and still has the primary focus of having a good time, with the sole objective to raise money for one of the local schools nearby. The negativity of missing a billfish bite and the dreaded experience of reeling back in only a ballyhoo head after a miss — a sancocho — is actually turned into a positive because anglers must then donate $20.…
ADVANCED SAT TAGGING I recently read the “Tagging, Triumphant!” article [November 2016], and after reading it, I kept turning back to a specific paragraph under the heading “Advancing Tagging Technology.” It speaks of the age of instant gratification and how tagging billfish does not allow for this. Where are the POV cameras? Why can’t I track marlin swimming across the ocean on the TV in my Spencer’s salon? The answer is simple. This technology already exists. The question that should be asked is, “Why are people not doing it?” Do these tags cost more or are they difficult to produce and use? No. They just require tweaks to the programming. So, why don’t we ever see a real-time track from billfish? How come we don’t get to see what a…
GRACEFUL CURVES John Hargrove’s blue marlin almost looked elegant right before it started tearing across the surface. Capt. Chris Sheeder and the Finest Kind crew released five fish in two hours and finished their day with 10 blues. Sheeder captured this moment from the bridge. LOCATION Costa Rica’s seamounts have recently drawn the attention of top anglers and captains. Why, you ask? The action is unlike any other hot spot. TECH SPECS CAMERA: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II LENS: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5- 5.6L IS II USM ISO: 1,250 APERTURE: f/8.0 SPEED: 1/5,000 sec…
Players Shepard “Shep” McKenney is, first and foremost, an entrepreneur. He’s successfully transitioned from lawyer to hotelier to boatbuilder. A stint at the helm of Hinckley Yachts started him down an interesting path: developing a way to make boats more stable and therefore more enjoyable. Along the way, he enlisted the help of John Adams, a naval architect and one of the world’s top experts on motion control. It’s a nearperfect partnership: the energetic, always optimistic leader and the reserved yet brilliant engineer. Together, they formed Seakeeper, and the marine industry will never be the same. How did Seakeeper make the transition from gimmick to a must-have accessory? Shep McKenney: Gyrostabilization is like magic in a bottle. You can’t see it work, but you can feel it. The roll just…
BITE TRACKER Stay current with the best bites from the top billfish destinations around the globe at marlinmag.com/travel. FEBRUARY leads the way to great angling opportunities in Panama, with the famed Tropic Star Lodge in Piñas Bay offering some of the most consistent black marlin fi shing anywhere in the world. Captains fi sh with live bait around the famous Zane Grey Reef for blacks and then target blue and striped marlin out wide with lures or dead bait to give anglers a fantastic opportunity to catch a grand slam.…
When the seas turn angry, the right boots can make the difference between staying warm and dry or cold and miserable. Plus, boots offer protection from on-deck hazards, like flying hooks and sharp teeth. Choose wisely: Your feet will thank you. SHIMANO EVAIR When you want a super-lightweight deck boot, reach for the Evairs from Shimano. A one-piece molded EVA over-theankle boot with ergonomic arch support and a nonmarking, high-traction sole, these boots will give all-day comfort. fish.shimano.com GRUNDÉNS DECK-BOSS A new product from a company well-known for foul-weather gear, the 15-inch Deck-Boss from Grundéns has injectionmolded soles and Herkules Grip synthetic-rubber technology. The Deck-Boss is proudly built in the Pacific Northwest. grundens.com XTRATUF NEOPRENE DECK BOOT The Comfort Stretch top-line binding means easy entry and a great fit, and…
