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Back-to-Back Black Marlin
Tips and Tactics for Black Marlin in Cabo San Lucas
How Knowledge, Know-How and Good Old Fashioned Hard Work can Lead
to Black Marlin Fishing Success. Here's a How-To Article on Cabo
Black Marlin Fishing.
Unlike other marlin, blacks live only in the Pacific. They are considered
by most marine biologists to be a continental shelf species –
meaning that they tend to remain near landmasses and are unlikely
to be found in open waters. Perhaps that characteristic contributes
to the black marlin’s more deliberate nature. Black marlin
are more likely to remain in a specific area for longer periods
of time, move slower than a blue or a striper, and feed in a more
methodical, systematic way. Like all marlin, they are opportunistic
feeders but differ from the others in that they are known to consume
loads of reef fish. Hunting areas of structure for grouper, snapper
and other reef fish, the black develops more of a territorial personality.
Blacks caught and released in one area are often caught again in
the same spot weeks later.
Marlin fishing in Cabo means trolling lures and teasers to entice
and casting bait to get bit. Although live bait accounts for more
successful hook-ups, hook-ups on lures and dead bait are common.
Dead bait is especially effective on blacks. The how and when to
present both live and dead baits comes a little later. For starters,
let’s set out a spread that does the job.
First and foremost is color when choosing trolling lures that are
effective on black marlin. Proper selection and occasional changes
can mean the difference between coming in with flags flying or being
skunked. Remain flexible, if the colors you have out aren’t
working, change them out, one at a time letting a little time pass
between one change and another. For me, I usually start with bleeding
Dorado patterns, black and blues (skipjacks), and guacamayas. Guacamaya
refers to a yellow bellied, pink and blue feathered bird macaw so
if you can’t find it by name, just look for the colors. It’s
currently one of the hottest lures in use so any self-respecting
marlin angler should have a few on hand. Next, set your lures out
in the proper positions using the wake waves as your guide. Run
your stinger (the center of the spread) back to the sixth swell
in the center of the wakes “vee.” Your long rigger should
be placed back at the fifth swell, the short at the fourth. Use
your corners too. Set the long corner to the third swell and the
short corner to the second. Adjust each lure so that it is on the
front side of the swell its positioned on, trust me, it makes a
great deal of difference.
Pay attention to the “smoke” trail of each lure. Each
should leave a long trail and should break the surface well without
leaving the water completely. That spray of water coming off the
head of the lure is the single greatest factor in causing a reaction
strike so ensure that each lure is running right. Erratic smoke
trails and high pops out of the water usually indicate a fouled
lure so bring those in, correct the problem and reposition. Set
the drag on each reel. Drag pressure plays a critical role in hook-up
ratio on trolled lures. I recommend setting them to about 12 pounds,
a little less on the riggers. More hook-ups occur on light drag
then heavy.
While playing the waiting game, keep a look out for tails and fins
and have at least one, preferably two, bait rigs at the ready. When
a strike occurs, be ready to cast bait back to where the strike
took place. Missed strikes happen, but when they do, don’t
give up on that fish! An effective method of enticing a second strike
is to free spool the struck line for a ten count, switch back to
striking pressure and crank, crank, crank!! The drop mimics injured
prey waiting to be eaten. Cranking after a ten count looks like
a recovering fish fleeing for life. Both actions drive a hungry
marlin wild.
If the drop back doesn’t work, turn back towards the strike
zone and get ready to cast bait. The first bait I send out blind,
meaning we haven’t spotted the marlin on the surface, is the
dead bait. Cast it on the inside of your turn and leave it in free
spool holding the line loosely between your fingers so that you
can feel it get picked up or billed but can still let line spill
off the reel. Once back to the fourth or fifth lure, return the
drag to strike pressure. Let the dead bait float and dump throttle
letting the boat drift to a near stop. If you spot your quarry,
cast the live bait in front of it, reel in the dead and be ready
to cast it to the fish also. As mentioned earlier, black marlin
are more deliberate feeders and often prefer the ease of picking
up the dead bait to chasing down the live one.
Should no strike occur but you spot a marlin coming up the center
of the spread, drop back both a live and dead bait and try to put
the bait right in its face. Marlin will come up, mouths wide open,
and a seasoned angler can literally drop a bait back right down
its throat. Dead bait is easier to position than live in this instance
and are often jumped on, especially by blacks.
Should luck be with you and you’ve managed to hook your black,
know that while blues are faster, blacks are stronger. Get on the
fish fast, any opportunity to break it’s spirit early is welcome
and should be taken. Black marlin do not have the tendency to go
deep like a blue will, they prefer to stay at a depth of 100-150
yards when they do run down. At the most, expect them to go as deep
as 300 yards but very rarely deeper.If you get on the fish quick,
take every opportunity to bring him up to the surface, and work,
work, work. You’ll most likely be rewarded with an awesome
exhibition of power with jump after jump to quicken your pulse.
Breaking a marlin’s spirit fast means more time for you to
get another, greater success when releasing your catch, and the
added bonus of a fresh and acrobatic fish ready to put on a show.
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Using some of these techniques and armed with knowledge of the species,
a recent trip aboard Oscar Dacarrett’s Paraiso del Mar rewarded
our group with not one, but two black marlin, each over 300 pounds.
Onboard were my partner, Dolores Peralta, boat owner and new Cabo
Sport Fishing Commissioner Oscar Dacarrett, Gladston Texeira - business
associate and friend of Oscar's, and myself. Captain Cesar and first
mate Christopher are well-experienced fisherman and one of the best
crews I’ve had the pleasure of fishing with. We set out from
Marina Baja in Cabo San Lucas in search of marlin, more specifically
big black marlin.
September is traditionally one of the best months for targeting
billfish, as the shear number of them prowling the Sea of Cortez
is astounding. So with tackle prepared, a full tank of fuel and
plenty of cold drinks (okay, mostly beer), we set out on a course
toward the Gordo Banks. After reaching our destination where 85
degree, azure blue water met with a solid but not to speedy current,
we set out our spread and marked the moment with a cold beer, the
first sip sacrificed to the sea to pay homage to our prey. Mere
moments later, a short strike on the long rigger triggered a scramble
to the stern and the process of turning a missed strike into a hook-up
began.
Although the marlin that struck the lure was nowhere to be seen,
the struck line was free-spooled, a ten count pause, and, as you
now know, crank, crank, crank! Although there was no immediate second
strike, the rod now in it’s holder and back on the rigger,
no more than a minute or so passed when zzzzzzzz, the second strike!
A strong hook set was made and the battle began. I took my place
in the fighting chair and watched line spin off the reel. Once the
first ran stopped, immediate pressure was applied to the fish pumping
up and reeling down to gain back spent line. Several runs later,
with constant attention paid in order to take advantage of brief
“breathers” taken by the black, it was now on the surface
and leaping. Jump after jump followed by a straight-up vertical
lunge kept all onboard whooping and cheering.
After an exciting 30 or so minutes, we had a 300 pound black marlin
alongside the boat in great shape and ready for release. Caught,
photographed and released, this beauty would live to fight many
more battles for many more years.
Never waste time getting all your rigs back in the water. Where
there is one marlin, they are often many more, especially with blacks.
Our spread was reset and we were back on the troll within minutes
and soon we had black number two hooked up and fighting. This one
opted to go deep and remained so the for the majority of the fight
with only one series of jumps to entertain us. Gladston Texeira
had never caught a marlin, let alone a big black. He worked on this
fish for over two hours and ultimately won the battle. A 300 pound
plus black marlin fights like a horse and when it’s pushing
100 degrees with little or no breeze, you get hot, real hot. After
landing our second black of the day, a jump overboard into the warm
yet refreshing blue water was much earned. Hard work led to great
fun and amazing memories.
So remember that not all marlin are created equal, that knowing
how to adapt to each species will only increase your success, and
that shorter, more efficient battles leave both the angler and the
marlin healthier and more energized for the next blue water battle.
Until next time, keep your eyes scanning the sea and your ears listening
for the scream of a hot reel.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE
You'll enjoy more in-depth articles on all that Cabo San Lucas has
to offer in our FREE interactive digital magazine and vacation guide
for Los Cabos. To download your copy of the guide, choose an issue
from the list below.
CABO'S BEST VACATION MAGAZINE &
GUIDE
Spring/Summer
2005 Issue
Art in Cabo
Minerva's Baja Tackle
French Riviera Restaurant Review
Grand Baja Resort & Spa Review
Shopping In Los Cabos
La Golondrina Restaurant Review
Big Brothers Fishing & Golf Tournament
Luxury Vacationing in Cabo Villas
Tips for Faster Trips Through the Airport
Photo Tour
Travel and Vacation Guide
Fall/Winter
2005-2006 Issue
Casa Contenta B&B Review
Playa Grande Resort Review
Dreams Los Cabos Review
Back to Back Black Marlin
Cabo's Other Wild Side - Jeep Safari's
Buena Vista Beach Resort - Fisherman's Paradise
Sancho Panza Wine Bistro Review
Nick San Sushi Review
Alexander's Restaurant Review
Photo Tour
Travel and Vacation Guide
COMING SOON - Spring/Summer
2006 Issue
Casa Natalia Boutique Hotel Review
The Bungalows B&B Review
Castillo Blarney Inn Review
World Championship Billfish Release Tournament
Upcoming Fishing Tournaments
Whale Watching in Los Cabos
The San Jose Estuary
Local Eight Restaurant Review
Sunset Da Giorgio Restaurant Review
Villa Serena Restaurant Review
Luxury Fishing Charters & Cruises on Bad Company
Photo Tour
Travel and Vacation Guide
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