My dad Kent and Terry have become close friends over the years and he looked forward to catching up with Terry while he was here. Even better my dad is a good photographer and I was happy to have him there to shoot pictures for us after I missed a great shot the day before because I had to drive on the fish. We started out live baiting Keauhou due to the good current there and the bait we had been seeing there. Shawn and I caught a blue marlin on a bait there a couple weeks before and I thought it was time to try again. Our bait fishing went well and we set out two baits one on the top and one down on the down rigger. About an hour off the ledge we got a bite on the top bait it turned out to be a shark. Minutes later the down rigger went off and it looked to be the same shark. We played the bite out and it turned out to be a nice sized marlin. The circle hook found its spot and due to the line it takes while you hook them on the circle it came up jumping way out. I couldn’t tell how big it was but knew it was a big fish. Ann got the rod to the chair and went to work. The line came in easily at first and the fish laid on the surface and let me get close to it in minutes of the first jump run. It swam hard and fast on the surface as we powered up to it and I passed it with the boat. The fish ended up in the glare of the bad morning light and we couldn’t see her right away. The leader came out of the water and Mat got the leader. Out of the white water of the boat charging back the fish made her first jump and our jaws hit the floor. Ann had a real nice one on. The fish put on a show at the boat and we were able to keep up with her with the boat. We had a sat. tag ready to put in the fish if we got a easy shot at a good tag placement. After 30 jumps she was panting on the surface and we caught up too her. Terry tagged the fish going away with a easy tag shot right in the perfect spot. Mat went to cut her off and she jumped again on the leader. He had good wraps and I yelled “Hang on,hang on so it didn’t have to go and fight us any longer. We didn’t want the 5000 dollar tag to get pulled out by the line or get her any more tried. Seconds later the leader was cut and she was free. What a fish! It was over 700. How much I can’t be sure, by right there it was full sized and I feel it could have been close to 800. Without a doubt our biggest of the season. We celebrated the fish and the sat tag because of the info that will be learned by the recovery of the tag months from now when the tag pops up will be good to know. It will give the scientists info on where and what she did everyday for 90 days at sea.We will follow up on this site with where and what she did when the 90 day tag pops up. Stay tuned. I went up to the bridge to run in for another bait, buzzing from the rush of catching such a great fish in such style for Ann, when my phone rang. It was my mom. Before I powered up to run in for another bait I answered. My mom had found out bad news that my dad’s brother Bruce had passed away from a battle from cancer. He was my only uncle and we were close. I left the boat where it was and we had a moment for my uncle. It seemed to us that that nice fish was sent to us by him. The timing of the catch was unbelievable. We agreed that we would continue to do things together and follow our passion and make the most of everyday. Dad got these shots to remember a really spiritual moment for us all. We went on to tag another 600 pound fish and another one over 300 that got tangled up in the leader. When faith is challenged, it is days like today that help me believe there are things in the spiritual world that can’t be explained.
