Boating big fish

[Earl Phillips Jr]

TECHNIQUES FOR BIG FISH AT THE BOAT

Whether you will be tagging and releasing a big fish or bringing it aboard, there are steps you can take to improve your ability to control and land your oversized adversary.

The first step is to be properly equipped. Any boat targeting offshore or large inshore/tidal river species should have at least the following: A flying gaff, fixed-head gaff, gloves, knife, pliers, wire cutters, and if you’re into tag-and-release fishing, a tagging stick and supply of tags. While all of these tools are vitally important, many offshore/inshore anglers find themselves "undergunned" when it comes to dealing with big fish at the boat. One of the most common tools forgotten about or overlooked is the flying gaff. This piece of equipment can mean the difference between landing or losing a larger saltwater game fish. It’s wise to invest in a heavy-duty flying gaff with at least a size-inch hook. Make sure the hook is made of heavy gauge (1/2") material, as thinner hooks can pull through on "hot" fish. Many flying gaffs have only quarter-inch thick rope, which may be strong enough to hold a fish, but doesn’t afford the angler a solid grip. For this reason, it’s better to have heavier 5/8" rope on your flying gaff. Also be sure to allow a sufficient length of rope for easy mobility to cleats on either side of the boat.

When it comes to dealing with sharks, such as makos and threshers, special equipment is necessary. For starters-always wear a wire cutter on your belt. When a big, hooked shark goes crazy at the side of the boat, you can easily get caught up in the wire leader. Having a pair of sharp wire cutters handy will allow you to cut loose quickly should this kind of dangerous situation occur. Heavy-duty leather gloves are also a must for handling the heavy cable and single-strand wire favored by shark anglers.

Using proper technique when you bring a big fish boatside is also critical. Offshore/inshore action can come at any time-usually when you least expect it. What often separates the winners from the losers is advance planning and preparation. It’s important to consider all the possible scenarios and obstacles on your boat beforehand-not once you’ve got a huge fish in front of you. This means having all of the necessary equipment out and readily accessible.

When things go wrong, it’s often because the angler makes a careless mistake. When a fisherman sees his hard-fought prize emerging from the deep (and in clear offshore water, this can occur at greater depths), the initial reaction is often backing off on the drag to reduce pressure and avoid a break-off. While this strategy would seem to make sense, it can prolong a battle unnecessarily and result in lost fish. When you get your first glimpse of a marlin, swordfish or any big hooked game fish, be sure not to panic and make this kind of costly error. Stay cool, keep the pressure on the fish, and get the job done quickly. The longer the fish is in the water, the greater the chances of problems occurring.
When fishing inshore or river big fish the angler and boat captain must always be mindful of obstructions and debris especially when fishing inshore/river wrecks. These will cause another special set of problems, sometimes the fishes’ actions requires you to drop anchor and move the boat from the wreck/structure to fight it properly. This will add the need for an anchor rope float, this will allow the angler/captain to just pitch the rope and go. You can come back and retrieve the anchor after the fight. However once loose from the anchor the captain/angler must stay mindful of it’s location so as not to let the fish tangle the anchor line. In this scenario the captain must remember to keep the boat in a slow drift (either under power or in current) away from the fish, this allows the angler to keep proper tension and drag on the fish with out the chance of the line going slack.
When it comes to marlin, remember to keep the boat moving slowly ahead as you subdue the fish, regardless of whether you will be keeping or releasing it. This will allow you to keep pace with the moving billfish as you grab the leader. Other game fish, such as sharks, tend to "freak out" if the boat is brought to a sudden stop. This is because the lack of moving water over their gills causes suffocation.

If you will be keeping your fish, when it’s time to sink the flying gaff, make sure you place the gaff across the center of the fish’s body with the point down. Because this method puts gravity on your side, you won’t have to lift the heavy weight of the gaff to drive the point home. Bring the hook toward you and hit the fish in the "hump"-the meaty part near the dorsal fin. A second fixed-head gaff can then be used near the tail to subdue and tail rope the fish.

More and more anglers are now choosing to release their billfish, sharks, and other trophy fish, however. If you will be releasing a billfish, shark or other aggressively feeding fish, it’s best to have a partner grab the leader while you grab the pliers/hook extractor and extract the hook. If the fish happens to be "gut-hooked," it’s best to cut the leader instead. Always wear protective gloves during this process, and be sure when handling a bill fish, to place your ***m on top of the bill with your fingers above and thumb below. This way, if the fish breaks loose from your grip, your arm will be between the sharp, abrasive bill and your face. When releasing a billfish, it’s key to revive it alongside the moving boat before you let it go. Doing so should allow even an extremely tired fish to regain its color and enough power to swim off on its own.

If you plan on releasing a shark, many experts recommend putting the rod in free-spool (with the clicker on), while a partner holds the leader. The next step is to cut the wire as close as possible to the shark’s mouth. It is usually not wise to attempt a hook extraction, unless the hook is clearly visible on the outside of the mouth. Most sharks have teeth that are as sharp as knives, so use extreme caution when dealing with these game fish at the side of the boat. Also remember that both ends of a shark can be dangerous. The scythe-like tail of a thresher shark, for instance, can also inflict serious injury.
Keeping these often forgotten item in mind you can safely land and/or release all your big fish safer and more easily