Samana - Go Visit!! *PIC*

You might want to check the posting "A bad day of fishing..." on the Samana.Net Forum. It has more pictures and if you do, you'll see that the only reason the fish was kept was for the Dominican Captain and Mate to sell it and keep the proceeds as a "propina" for a hard day's fishing. I'm sure their families appreciated the extra cash and I'm glad we could do that for them.

I too believe in catch and release, but only if you are not going to eat the fish. I've been practicing that all my fishing life, some 56+ of my 58 years. I threw them back before it was the "in" thing to do. It's a lot more fun to catch them again, especially after they've grown bigger.

We had a great day even though the fish didn't cooperate. I should have known, the moon is approaching full and the fish are feeding at night. Capt. "Soups," the owner of the 48' Ocean Sportfish, "La Soupe," George, Rob, Allen and I enjoyed a beautiful day offshore, the kind of day the DR is famous for. After selling my boat several years ago, it was really a treat for me to tag along. Thanks guys!

127 kg Blue Marlin last winter out of Juan Dolio

Wiiling to say Rob is the mousey faced one holding the fishes beak

It is called a "Bill" as in Billfish.

Sorry Andy. With Billfish stocks in such steep decline the right thing to do was to release the fish and just give them a tip out of your own pocket.

Funny but hear in Miami the Sailfish action heats up with a full moon. As do most fishing.

Still didn't tell me what kind of tackle you used.

We used a block and tackle so we wouldn't give the fish the edge. Blame the Japaneese for the decline in billfish stocks, not the sportfishermen.
When the moon is out in the daytime and visible in the sky is when the fishing gets better, not a full moon at night. Also, compare your major and minor bite times with the lunar tables.

Full moons are prime time for fishing but I never said at night. During the days surrounding a full moon the Tides are stronger and that tends to make baitfish move more which in turns rings a dinner bell for the predatory fish. The full moon during daylight is nothing I have ever heard of.

Yes the Japanese, Along with the Koreans, are the major cause of Billfish declines world wide but that doesn't mean it is ok for anyone else to kill them.

Block and tackle. Now that is sporting. May I suggest Depth Charges next time. More efficient. Silly me. And I have been using a flyrod all these years.