BIG MARLIN SEEN DURING FLY FISHING
AT CABO SAN LUCAS OVER THE FULL MOON

Sept. 17, 2005, Boots Fawcett, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico Saltwater Fly Fishing Report:

Today we fished at Cabo San Lucas on the full moon. Everyday we continue to raise quality fish. If I was not fly fishing and was using standard trolling tackle, I believe that every day would have yielded multiple billfish, and some of these fish would have been true heavyweights.

The favored lure colors have been purple and bleeding mackerel. This week I had two 350-pound blue marlin and one 300-pound black marlin set up well for the fly rod. That means they were close to the boat and inspired to swallow everything presented to them. Unfortunately, I am working with some new mates and fly fishing for marlin is clearly a team effort. That means the team didn’t get it right. To date we are without a blue or a black.

However, on Wednesday, September 13th, I went toe to toe with a 180-pound striped marlin and prevailed. This is a large striped marlin for Cabo and the fish put on an incredible show on the surface. I thought I had it made. Boy, was I wrong on that assessment. The fish went down on me five times and it turned into a one hour and forty five minute battle. This was probably one of the most difficult fights I have ever had on the fly rod. I could not budge the fish. I won the battle, but the fish took a piece of me. This is something that I assiduously try to avoid, but in truth one is not always in control of these matters. Even at boat-side the fish displayed great strength and great courage. Don’t anyone tell me that striped marlin are tomato cans. This one was as brave as any bull I have every seen. Ole!

The following day of fishing we took our second striped marlin. This fish was a beautiful 150 pounds and again the aerial performance was magnificent. Because the fish remained near the surface, the battle was over in thirty minutes. Fifteen days of Cabo San Lucas fishing remain. I know that big son-of-a-bitch is waiting for me.