Back to the Bahamas
Betty, Gil, Frank, and Ellyn joined the West Palm Beach Fishing Club on their "Back to the Bahamas" outing June 13 - 19, 2009. This was Ice Tea Too's first trip to the Bahamas since 2006.
BAHAMAS ADVENTURE, a poem by Ellyn (pictures by Betty and Ellyn)
Engines primed, no wake signs,
Bridge lights, markers for captain to find.
Off at sunrise, three hours at sea,
West End land, we can see.
Passage calm, with beautiful sky,
Boat arrives, yellow flag must fly.
Customs cleared, fish license bought,
Permission for Marlin to be sought . . .
Mahi Mahi, big Yellow Fin,
Big teeth Barracuda also caught.
Up before dawn, studied maps of sea depths,
Hooked lines, teasers, lures tossed out to catch.
Patience, grass tangles, birds to follow,
Reel starts screaming, fish line out!
Captain hollers, "Crank with all your might!"
Our eyes and Marlin's eyes meet, we won the fight!
Quick release, forward engines full speed,
Head to marina, sea tales to tell.
Plenty of good cheer and fish to sear!
This is Gil's fishing report:
We are at Grand Bahama island on a West Palm Beach Fishing Club Outing (Back To The Bahamas) with our friends Frank Malley and Ellyn. Second day of fishing. Fished Tuna Canyon and after no fish headed inshore trolling our spread of plastics. Frank had gone to the head when Betty went down to clear some weed from one line. Then Ellyn (who had never seen a billfish of any kind) said, "Look! Is that a turtle or a fin?" I said, "No, that is a blue marlin bill!" The fish came to the stern and attacked the Wide Range teaser. Then she inhaled a Bob Schneider lure. Betty, being close, grabbed the rod and the fish took off - Shimano 50 screaming. I chased the fish with the boat as Frank came out into the cockpit and began clearing the rods. We got the fish somewhat in control as Betty settled in the fighting chair. After another chase when the fish took off again Betty fought the fish and retrieved some line. The crew (Frank and Ellyn) periodically poured ice water on Betty's head and face as she struggled with the fish. Ellen mopped up Betty's neck and back with a wet towel.
The fish had never jumped and periodically I ran the boat to change the angle on the fish. After a while Betty was making progress, but occasionally the fish would take off. After about 30 minutes Betty said, "This is my last blue marlin. I am too old." After about an hour a most unusual thing happened. I could see the double line and the leader and off the port side I saw a blue marlin swim toward the bow and then make a u turn and head toward the stern greyhounding. Frank said the fish is over here. I said no that is another fish. Fish looked to be well over 500 lbs. Guess she just came by to watch the fight. First time I have ever seen another fish come by during the fight.
We finally got the leader and Frank wired the fish as Ellyn expertly cut the leader near the hook saving the lure. Fish was very hard for Frank to hold - really hot fish. Total fight time 1 hour and 10 minutes. Estimated weight 450 lbs. Blue marlin #18 for Blue Marlin Betty. Probably the most unique because of the greyhounding free jumper.
Betty went in the salon and got a Miller Lite because there was no Kalik! What an experience for Ellyn who had never been to the Bahamas and who had never seen a billfish of any kind.
BAHAMAS ADVENTURE, a poem by Ellyn (pictures by Betty and Ellyn)
Engines primed, no wake signs,
Bridge lights, markers for captain to find.
Off at sunrise, three hours at sea,
West End land, we can see.
Passage calm, with beautiful sky,
Boat arrives, yellow flag must fly.
Customs cleared, fish license bought,
Permission for Marlin to be sought . . .
Mahi Mahi, big Yellow Fin,
Big teeth Barracuda also caught.
Up before dawn, studied maps of sea depths,
Hooked lines, teasers, lures tossed out to catch.
Patience, grass tangles, birds to follow,
Reel starts screaming, fish line out!
Captain hollers, "Crank with all your might!"
Our eyes and Marlin's eyes meet, we won the fight!
Quick release, forward engines full speed,
Head to marina, sea tales to tell.
Plenty of good cheer and fish to sear!
This is Gil's fishing report:
We are at Grand Bahama island on a West Palm Beach Fishing Club Outing (Back To The Bahamas) with our friends Frank Malley and Ellyn. Second day of fishing. Fished Tuna Canyon and after no fish headed inshore trolling our spread of plastics. Frank had gone to the head when Betty went down to clear some weed from one line. Then Ellyn (who had never seen a billfish of any kind) said, "Look! Is that a turtle or a fin?" I said, "No, that is a blue marlin bill!" The fish came to the stern and attacked the Wide Range teaser. Then she inhaled a Bob Schneider lure. Betty, being close, grabbed the rod and the fish took off - Shimano 50 screaming. I chased the fish with the boat as Frank came out into the cockpit and began clearing the rods. We got the fish somewhat in control as Betty settled in the fighting chair. After another chase when the fish took off again Betty fought the fish and retrieved some line. The crew (Frank and Ellyn) periodically poured ice water on Betty's head and face as she struggled with the fish. Ellen mopped up Betty's neck and back with a wet towel.
The fish had never jumped and periodically I ran the boat to change the angle on the fish. After a while Betty was making progress, but occasionally the fish would take off. After about 30 minutes Betty said, "This is my last blue marlin. I am too old." After about an hour a most unusual thing happened. I could see the double line and the leader and off the port side I saw a blue marlin swim toward the bow and then make a u turn and head toward the stern greyhounding. Frank said the fish is over here. I said no that is another fish. Fish looked to be well over 500 lbs. Guess she just came by to watch the fight. First time I have ever seen another fish come by during the fight.
We finally got the leader and Frank wired the fish as Ellyn expertly cut the leader near the hook saving the lure. Fish was very hard for Frank to hold - really hot fish. Total fight time 1 hour and 10 minutes. Estimated weight 450 lbs. Blue marlin #18 for Blue Marlin Betty. Probably the most unique because of the greyhounding free jumper.
Betty went in the salon and got a Miller Lite because there was no Kalik! What an experience for Ellyn who had never been to the Bahamas and who had never seen a billfish of any kind.
posted by Gil and Betty at 10:28 AM
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