Teamwork Is Key
This often involves the use of dredges, multi-armed metal frames designed to be rigged with dozens of hookless baits and pulled beneath the surface to imitate a school of bait. Dredges have proven deadly on the smaller Atlantic billfish species, white marlin, and sailfish, and have become a standard gear item aboard many boats. This has led to some controversy from purists, but it’s safe to say that dredges are here to stay because they’re so effective. Perhaps the most important strategy of all involves assembling a crew of skilled people at all the vital positions, from captain to angler. The captain runs the show, but the mate or mates must each know exactly what’s expected of them and work in unison with the other crew members. When a fish rises to a bait or a teaser, each member of the crew has a very specific job, which they must execute immediately and flawlessly.
The anglers have to know which rods they’re responsible for, and it’s simply common sense to have experienced anglers aboard who know the drill when it comes to correctly hooking a fish. It’s never a 100-per- cent foolproof process, but having seasoned people in the skill positions raises your odds of success exponentially. The last thing you want is indecision—none of this, “You take it,” “No, you take it!” Everyone has to know their role and react accordingly.
The mates must have all the necessary tools of the trade laid out and within easy reach in the cockpit. This includes premade hook rigs, cutters and pliers, floss, swivels and crimps if they’re used, gaffs, tag sticks, and a bait cooler. The cockpit must be arranged so that the anglers and mates can get around easily, with clear and uncluttered paths to the rods, the cockpit corners, and the transom.
The mates should know who will be the wire man and who will complete the end game, whether killing the fish or releasing it, maybe with a tag. This must be decided long before the fish ever shows itself, with the exception of the kill or release question, which will be determined by the size of the fish. That’s almost always the captain’s call, since the helm offers the clearest view. hooked and it’s game on, how the captain handles the boat can make the difference between a short and successful fight, or a long and drawn out standoff. Shorter is almost always better: The longer a fish stays on the line, the greater the chances of it escaping, and taking your points with it.
Much of the boat-driving strategy involves how to chase a fish. Many younger captains like to race in reverse after a fish, filling the cockpit with water and possibly endangering the boat and crew. While certainly a dramatic way to chase a fish, it isn’t necessarily the most prudent.
Most times it’s better to chase the fish in forward gear at a quartering angle to one side of the boat or another. The captain can see the line angle and keep pressure on the fish through creating a belly in the line with the subsequent water pressure, while still allowing the angler to gain line quickly. Only when the fish comes close will the captain spin the boat and back the final few yards. This method gives the crew much more control over a hot fish.