Striped Marlin off Cape Moreton

[Liberty]

Went out yesterday for the first time since the Moreton Bay Gamefishing Comp 4 weeks ago. 13 flights and two lost suitcases later I was really ready to go fishing. Took a Canadian friend out who's biggest to date was a 4lb rainbow trout albeit on fly.

Weather was beautiful and surprisingly very few boats out. 5 knots and a long rolling 2m swell.

First went up to Caloundra Wide where we got a 6 and 10kg AJ, and a 6kg Cobia on jigs and a Pearlie on plastics but try as we might couldn't get a Snapper. Some good shows but nothing biting.

Ran over to Hutchies where we lost quite a few chickens in 45m to what I guess were Mackerel. Very predictable. Drop, drop, lift, drop, bzzzzzzzzz then slack line. Grrrr.

Changed to troll and quickly picked up the usual striped and mack tuna around the reefs.

Getting later in the afternoon and we were running out of time, so thought we'd have a shot at something more testing. The water colour was quite murky but what the heck.

ENE off the Cape and in 63m of water, the blue angel phantom on long corner went off briefly twice in succession and then GRRRRRrrrrrRRRRRRRR. Andy (reluctantly) grabbed the rod with some (vigorous) persuation and watched as a 30kg Striped Marlin exploded out the water and went to taildance three times.

I was certain that he was going to have a break-off with only 8kg line, but to his utter credit guided the fish to the boat after 45mins.

Brilliant end to the day!

We were then really short of time to make it back to Spinnaker before the marina closed, but set a new record to get back from the 63m line to Bribie Marina in 32mins.

:)

[backlash08]

sounds like a blast! great day on the water!
Craig

[JustOneMore]

Liberty,

Nice work!!! I would like to have seen your boat coming back flat chat!

We went off the GC Saturday morning, hooked up to a small Black (we think) south of the 36's trolling the dirty water line but only stayed connected for a few seconds. Also saw a game boat west of the 36's pick up a big striped marlin.

Thanks for the report.

[Frank OO]

Hi Nigel,

Well done mate. Troy thought you did really well. It is also a real blast to see your visitors do well.

Thanks for the report mate

frank OO

[jeffo]

a 30kg stripe? you sure it wasnt a very lit up little black?

[Liberty]

a 30kg stripe? you sure it wasnt a very lit up little black?

I don't think so, but it was my first stripe.

I've caught a few blacks, and this didn't look or play like those.

I only have video close up. Was going to get some nice pics, but the fish had other ideas. When I had to duck under the bill, I decided to put the camera down ...

:o

Here's a frame from the vid. What do you think?

[Sandman]

Nice one Liberty, Yeh we all read the weather report possibly explains the lack of boat. You picked it well done, amazed you didnt pick up any more pelagics while you were out there.
You must of been flying , would have looked impressive she's a nice rig all round.
Mick

[Long Shot]

Yep, I'd call it for a stripe looking at the jaw and bill.

Would be nice to see the pecs and dorsal. From memory do you remember if the dorsal was as high as the fish is deep?

Matt

[Liberty]

Yep, I'd call it for a stripe looking at the jaw and bill.

Would be nice to see the pecs and dorsal. From memory do you remember if the dorsal was as high as the fish is deep?

Matt

No, can't say either way. It was pretty excited to be hooked and all I can remember is this long pointy nose coming my direction way too fast!

::)

[reel scream]

Well done to you and your Canadian mate. Bet he thought that was more fun than his trout. 32 mins:o .

Cheers Scott

[jeffo]

yeah by that shot id be happy to say a stripe. Nice long skinny bill and the pecs are right for one. Just the size was suss for me....havent heard of many micro ones around here before. Good job none the less.

may be a stupid question but i will ask any way....have you caught or seen a sailfish before? would you be 100% sure it wasnt one?

they have some similar characteristics to stripes except for the sail.

[captain rednut]

hi troy well done mate, we hope to find some stripy action this weekend at the little ships comp at straddie.
cheers jim

[ooglie74]

Hey jim I wasnt on board yesterday it was nigel who owns the boat and a mate of his.I heard about your effort at teh bribie comp,well done.

Jeffo, nigel has caught a sail before and to me it looks like a stripe but then again im just an amatuer.lol


Cheers Troy

[jeffo]

fair enough troy, thought that may have been the case but just checking.

[ooglie74]

No worries jeff I was thinking the same thing as to the size but if he says its a stripe I would believe him.

Cheers Troy

[Dean1]

Well done Nigel, you sounded pumped on the radio when i breifly spoke to you. Troy i bet you have withdrrrraaawwwwlllllssss now ;D Deano.

[Liberty]

No worries jeff I was thinking the same thing as to the size but if he says its a stripe I would believe him.

Cheers Troy

Ok, easy to fix.

"On Sunday, we got a 300kg Striped Marlin off Cape Moreton ..."

You all happy now?

;D ;D ;D

It definitely wasn't a sail, I've had my arms wrapped around one.

It *could* have been bigger than 30kg, but no matter, was a hell of an afternoon.

[Liberty]

Well done Nigel, you sounded pumped on the radio when i breifly spoke to you. Troy i bet you have withdrrrraaawwwwlllllssss now ;D Deano.

Thanks Deano.

You would have been pumped too if you had just spent the last 40 mins holding your breath!

As for Troy, he's fine.

He's very happy to sit on the beach watching everyone else catch lots of big fish.

No really.

He is.

The same way he's happy to watch me drop a monster 'hoo in the middle of a comp.

;D

[dww13]

Liberty

Top job mate and spot on with the call of it not mattering if its black blue or striped and the size is really not worth worrying about if tagging and releasing anyways.

The original post with the water depth and the fish size would have had most people with a few years experience questioning the species.

Unfortunantly the picture doesnt help much with picking an id either probably only eliminates a blue and a black. I recon the sail call is pretty good and wouldnt rule it out, even with you having had your arms around one in th epast. I can recall a number of fish on our boat that i have had to physically pull the sail up on to show people (with plenty of sails and blacks to their name) that it was a sail and not a scrappy marlin.

The little buggers dont always flap their sails around and make it easy to id and it doesnt help when they play up at the boat as you reported yours did.

Either way top job good to here there are still the odd little fish getting caught around the area.

Cheers Daniel

[ooglie74]

Hey daniel hows the new boat going?

Cheers Troy

[dww13]

What new boat is that mate????

We have an empty 15m pen at the moment. You wont see us this weekend. Still getting paintwork done and a little hiccup with one of the engines. The old mans getting a bit impatcient but its not worth rushing them.

Let them do the job properly. Should get delivery early next week. maybe. if were lucky. if the weather holds off for some painting. if.if.if.

[Seadog 2]

Well done Nigel, Shame we couldn't find him in the comp.

[ooglie74]

Should be worth the wait mate a bit more luxury?????

Cheers Troy

[Liberty]

Well done Nigel, Shame we couldn't find him in the comp.

Yeah, same location, same lures, same speed, same boat ...

Must have been those prawns we were scoffing ....

;D

[ooglie74]

Hey jim when you get a chance pm me I have some info you maybe interested im.
Tried to pm you but you have to many in your box.


Cheers Troy