120# Blue Marlin

I'm back home in Hawaii for a few months.

Went for a paddle yesterday, caught a ~120 lb blue marlin five miles out.

30 min fight, 3.5 hr paddle back.

It's my third unassisted marlin from a kayak.

Happy New Year!

WOW! That is dream!

Awesome catch! 

Amazing!! How did you even bring it back?

Incredible fish!

Amazing!! How did you even bring it back?

It's too heavy to put on my lap, so the best way I've found is to attach it to the side of the kayak, as snug as possible. Make sure the mouth is shut. If you're doing less than 1 knot, you'll need to retie it. I averaged 1.8 knots on the paddle back yesterday, not the greatest but it worked.

Then haul ass back to shore, as you are now the bait

Wow!  Whats your gear setup to catch that beast?

Wow!  Whats your gear setup to catch that beast?

Shimano Talica 16 for the reel. The 2 speed comes in clutch. 80# braid + 100# mono topshot.
Used a 6'0 Shimano Talavera rod.

Kage, gaff, knife, drift chute, and rope.

Wow!  Whats your gear setup to catch that beast?

Shimano Talica 16 for the reel. The 2 speed comes in clutch. 80# braid + 100# mono topshot.
Used a 6'0 Shimano Talavera rod.

Kage, gaff, knife, drift chute, and rope.

Grats man!  That's legend level!

Beautiful fish, congrats. Had to be a great fight on that you won’t forget.

Beautiful fish, congrats. Had to be a great fight on that you won’t forget.

when it tail walks in the beginning of the fight and you see your line trailing behind its furious pace, then the line tightens, your entire kayak shifts direction, and the sleigh ride starts. Best rush I know of.

Also, the marlin's bony scales always bleed me. It's an up close bloody battle. Pretty intense.

Wow, great catch.
I caught striped marlins off boats before but can't imagine catching from my kayak.

Paul

Kayak Hemingway
Beauty of a fish! 

Kayak Warrior to da max!

What kind of knots did you use?