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The morning sun broke hot and humid over the Sea of Cortez.  Another day, another try for the all elusive billfish.  He had over 19 years watched a good number of sunrises, maybe this one would be different. Trips with an uncle who was a renowned charter captain, trips with his dad who had won tournaments as a captain, still his 1st billfish hadn't been brought to gaff.   Years and dollars, boats and tackle from Florida to the canyons off Louisiana and now Mexico.

The bait was put in the well and it was a short run to the fishing grounds.   Lines were all set and checked.  The Dorado hit first, then the Yellowfin Tuna, he passed these to his future bride.  She handled them well, he and his dad coaching as she fought the fish.  The mate put them on ice, dinner was served or at least on board.  The waiting now began.  The heat increasing by the hour, the sun rising higher.  10 A.M. baits in the water for three hours, wait and watch.

The Captain hollered, a slice in the water, he missed the Spanish but his dad heard Pez Vela.  The bill was in the baits, another slice.  Now he saw the fish billing the bait.  The outrigger snapped, maybe today would be different.  The clicker moaned slowly, then quit. The fish had dropped the bait.  Then another flash and the clicker starts screaming.  He grabs the rod, several missed fish flashing quickly through his mind,  and throws the lever.

The jolt nearly knocks him off balance but the hook is set and the Sail is airborne.  A full cartwheel and another, the fish is strong.  A sizzling run followed by more jumps.  The fish heads down, pump, reel, sweat, the fight is on.   The fish comes back up to tailwalk 100 yards.  More pump, reel and sweat.   At a 100 yards the fish runs at the boat, he stays with him. At 25 yards the fish clears the water and lays over on his side at the end of the jump.  The fish rights himself and goes down only to come back up and stick his head out of the water eyeballing the angler.  The mate grabs at the leader wiring the fish, pulling him the last few feet to grab the bill.  He reaches for the fish club.

The angler rises from the chair and grabs the mates arm, shaking his head from side to side.  He pulls the sewing tape from his pocket motioning the mate to put it at the tip of the bill and he pulls it to the tail--108 inches.  Together they pull the hook free and revive the fish.  A quick pat on the back of his 1st billfish and the fish is freed.  He watches through misty eyes as the Sail swims off, 19 years just to see HIS billfish swim free.

I was there that day.  This trophy now hangs on my son's wall.

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US OFFICE: 1190 E. Ohio Avenue, Lake Helen, FL 32744
Phone: 1-888-682-3474, FAX: (386) 228-3525

CANADIAN OFFICE: 3566 Elk Road, Westbank, British Columbia, Canada V4T 2H4
Phone: 1-800-807-6168 or (250) 768-3537, FAX: (250) 768-3592

Fintastic Fish Mounts of Lake Helen, FL and Westbank,  BC is NOT associated with any other organization bearing similar names at any other location.
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