'Mulloway' Goes Wide to Lead Marlin Point Score'

Sunday 5th of January, a marlin only point score day for Botany Bay Game Fishing Club, saw BBGFC member boat 'Mulloway' (a Bertram 28 dedicated to trolling lures for marlin) skippered by Tony Iacoviello and crewed by regulars Paul Humphreys, Darren George and 4 year old Zac Iacoviello head wide of Botany Bay in search of blue marlin.

Previous weekends had been spent trolling the shelf for only moderate action from striped marlin and with other boats reporting similar experiences, Tony and crew decided to fulfil an old, yet unfulfilled desire (the seed of which had been planted years ago by BBGFC legend, the late Joseph P. Ritchie of 'Jay-Ah' fame) to fish wide for blue marlin.

How wide is wide? Well… very wide! Having checked weather conditions were suitable for the trip, 'Mulloway' trolled its usual pattern of four (much loved) Hawaiian lures for four hours and (approximately) 40 miles to the east of Browns Mountain. Weather conditions were overcast with rain squalls improving throughout the morning, winds were 10-15 knots from the north east, the sea was half to one meter of swell, 25.6 degrees C and deep cobalt blue.

At 11.30am coinciding with the top of the tide 'Mulloway' approached her ultimate fishing destination, a major underwater mountain/canyon structure at 152.06.00E and 34.02.00S.

Whilst there were no signs of an up-welling, bait, or even birds visible here, the area still looked "fishy" to the experienced 'Mulloway' crew. Ten minutes later at 11.40am on the western wall, whilst trolling up onto the mountain 'Mulloway' took a charging strike from an aggressive blue marlin on the 'Big Dog' trolled from the short rigger.

A lightening fast and solid hook-up was followed by the loss of 350m of 130lb test as the blue exploded across the surface of the ocean. You know the kind of explosive speed that… turns the lures skirts inside out! The fish then turned to continue exploding its way back towards the 'Mulloway'. After 10 minutes of spectacular aerial action the fish sounded to dog it out for another 30 minutes, whilst all the while being pumped back to the surface by Darren George.

When the double and leader neared the boat it became obvious that the sampo had opened and that muscling the fish to the wireman was risky. A decision was made to back the drag off and then patiently swim the fish to the wireman! Ten minutes later Tony Iacoviello took the leader and set up the gaff shot for Paul Humphreys. 'Mulloway's first blue marlin for 2003 (also for BBGFC) was duly captured and boated after 50 minutes of serious blue water excitement.

Now 6 nautical miles west of the mountain at 12.30pm with a blue marlin in the cockpit and a five hour troll run home ahead of them, 'Mulloway' set course for Browns Mountain, then across Hargraves Reef and finally arrived at the St. George Motor Boat Club in Botany Bay a little after 6.00pm. Apart from a half hearted tap and slash by a small striped marlin (just inside the shelf) on the 'Zip Rocket' running from the long corner, the trip home was free from distractions.

At approximately 6.30pm 'Mulloway's blue marlin was given an official weight of 190kgs. (Short length measurement of 275cms) This fish now leads the BBGFC marlin only point score. Congratulations 'Mulloway'.

Note:
Tony Iacoviello and the other members of the Mulloway crew are members of Sportsfish.com.au and may be contacted by Sportsfish members for comment or discussion through our Bluewater Forum.