It was 5:20 A.M. the morning of April 21st, and Ed and Michelle, good friends of Mark and LuAnn, were going to pick me up. They had offered a year ago to take me marlin fishing, and it was finally going to happen. We would go out for the day with their personal friend and master angler, Captain Nicolas Villa. He was ably assisted on his 30’ twin engine boat, the “Mahi Mahi,” by first mates Nicholas, his son, and an equally talented Jose.

When I asked Ed about past marlin experiences, he told me about a July, 2018 day when he landed a 220 pound blue marlin followed by an estimated 450 pound blue that was hooked by an exhausted Michelle and eventually turned over to Ed. The fish was released to fight another day.

While April wasn’t advantageous for many species, we were right on for striped marlin. Note the following time frames:

Blue Marlin – July-October

Dorado or Mahi Mahi – May-October

Skip Jack Tuna – June-October

Yellow Fin Tuna – August – December

Striped Marlin – January – July

Once out of the marina, we headed in a southeasterly direction. Our speed seemed excessive to me, but I trusted Captain Nicolas to know what he was doing. We trolled five rigs – outriggers on each side, rods on the corners, and a long line down the center from overhead. The lures, all surface, were brightly colored 8-12” single hook jigs with plastic heads and soft skirts. All the lures left a big bubble trail, and I concentrated on them from the left side fighting chair as I hoped to see a marlin dorsal fin rise up behind a lure. I did from time to time see huge whales surge from the depths. An additional rod was rigged with a live bait that swam in readiness in the live well. The reels were strung with 60# test monofilament line.

Though I thought I knew what was going on, I really had no idea. We were actually hunting marlin as the captain and mates kept their eyes peeled for surface action on both sides. Sometime around 11:00 A.M. one of the mates hurriedly grabbed the live bait rod while Captain Nicholas made a hard right turn. I still had no idea what the drill was all about as the live bait was cast into the starboard side pool by one of the mates. As a marlin took the bait and ran, the rod was thrust between my legs! It was hold on with both hands as line peeled from the reel! The marlin, making jump after jump, was already a hundred yards out in the thousand feet deep waters.

For the next thirty-five minutes, the battle raged as a mate on either side both counseled and encouraged me. Though they wanted me to pump the rod and crank in line on the down stroke, I knew there was no point in cranking the Penn reel as line was peeling off. My mind was racing. While I didn’t know if I had the strength to continue, there was no way I would surrender that rod. At times my trembling left hand ached to the point where I had to clutch the rod with both hands. Eventually I would work the fish in close, only to see it run again with new life. I had spent all I had to give when the mates flipped that splendid creature into the boat. My tired body was done for the day although I later found strength enough to down a Coke and two burritos while still on board.

The sighting of fish and the bait fish drill would occur six more times during the day as Ed scored on one of those encounters. Though not as big in stature as I but more youthful, I marveled at the way Ed handled that fish with strength and technique to spare. Now Michelle would be up to bat. I wanted to see that petite lady handle one of those seemingly tireless billfish, but that would have to wait for another day. I plan to return in October for round two with dorado and tuna. In the meantime, I’ll work at strengthening my arms and forearms with weights.

Hours later we idled into the Los Cabos Marina with two marlin flags flapping from the downriggers. That night eleven of us – Ed, Michele, family, and friends, dined “family style” on marlin prepared a number of scrumptious ways by La Chatita Restaurant & Bar. Next fall I’ll have a colorful Cabo DVD presentation if your club or church group is interested.