Article by Capt. Franky Pettolina
The white marlin bite stayed very consistent again last week. Take a walk around the marinas and count the blue flags on any given evening and you will see that the majority of the boats that went fishing are flying anywhere from one to a bunch of blue flags. And a majority of the boats that didn’t fish are flying blue flags of another kind (Sorry about your ruined meals Mr. Gillis. Actually I am not! To be honest I have had 99% positive reaction to my MAGA flag so you will just have to find other places to eat. Might I suggest somewhere other than the Eastern Shore).
I will now step off of my political soapbox. This article is about the white marlin bite currently going on and some of my favorite stories from the past few days. These are kind of all over the place so bear with me.
At the end of each marine survey I perform I tell my clients that they can call me any time to ask questions or get advice. Or in the case of pre-purchase surveys, they can just let me know what they like or don’t like about their boat after they get to know it better. I also tell them that I love to hear fish stories or get fish pictures sent to my phone or email.
This past Sunday, I heard one of my more recent clients having a pretty good day a few miles above me in the Poorman’s Canyon. I could hear the excitement in his voice over the VHF radio so I gave him a call to offer some congratulations. When I got in and checked my messages that night I saw that he had sent me a full report on his day, complete with what rigs were getting the most bites and screen shots of his plot line so I would have the information for my trip the next day. Really cool stuff. I am sure this was just the first of many good days to come on the “Renovator”. I am very happy for you Leo and Angela. I can’t wait to see the reports in the years to come.
Those of you that read my column regularly know that one of my lifelong fishing buddies is a guy named Robby. He and I have been bothering fish together for the better part of 35 years. The first time I ever got hit with a tomato while fishing was due to an accurate toss by good old Rob. Kinda makes you wonder just how many times I have been hit with a tomato while fishing doesn’t it?
Anyhow, about ten years ago Robby started a two year restoration of a classic Rybo Runner center console. He wrapped up the restoration this past spring. The boat is absolutely stunning and I know that Robby couldn’t wait to get it offshore. He has been breaking her in over the summer and two days ago he made the first trip to the canyons with her. The breaking in process continued and he was rewarded with the first of what I know will be a ton of white marlin releases aboard the “Limited Out”. What makes this even more special to me was that our friend Jeff was with Robby too. They have been friends even longer than Robby and I have and Jeff doesn’t get offshore as much as he did way back in the day. I can think of no one better to have been on the boat with Robby for that first release. I hope I can be onboard for some marlin fishing on that rig in the near future.
I always hear people talking about how 50 is the new 40 with how healthy of lifestyles people are living and life expectancies steadily climbing thanks to modern medicine. Sometimes I think that is a load of bunk because I get some devastating hangovers in my mid 40s and I know for a fact I didn’t get them in my mid 30s, but then again you have to pay to play so I guess I deserve it. One thing I do know is that junior anglers have been on a tear as of late. So much so that I am thinking that 8 is the new 15. I see pictures on social media and in the pages of the Coastal Fisherman that are just amazing. Youngsters like Maisie Genthner, Christian Watkowski and Fisher Zimmerman with release flags proudly displayed. I know Maisie get her skills from her mom and I am pretty sure Fisher was born with a pair of white deck boots on. I have been offering Christian advice on life for several years, but his Dad is giving him the fishing pointers. Of course, how can I forget the Balloon Wranglers, Emily and Joshua Blume leaping into the water together to celebrate Emily’s first white release. I also heard of a young Duffie boy taking over the coveted left flat line position on the “Billfisher”. I can’t stop smiling as I type these things. These junior anglers and the many others that have been wreaking havoc out on the rip are going to be filling the pages of the Coastal Fisherman for years to come.
Lastly, and even though I am little biased, most importantly, I watched my Mom put a whipping on a stud white marlin in some brutal seas this past weekend. She likes to spectate more these days and let other people catch the fish, but she has not lost a step when it comes to cranking them in. I barely had time to spin around on the fish when the leader was coming on to the rod to make for an official release. Again, I can’t stop smiling as I am typing. So many great stories have come out of this recent bite and so many more are yet to come. Feel free to send me some of your own (from this bite or any other) at [email protected]. I do love a good fish story!
Capt Franky Pettolina is Co-Captain of the charter boat, “Last Call”, owner of Pettolina Marine Surveying, Inc. and multi-term President of the Ocean City Marlin Club. To book a trip on the “Last Call”, call 443-783-3699.
