Article by Capt. Franky Pettolina
So this week I asked Larry for an extension on my deadline for submitting my article. I won’t lie. This happens about every third article throughout the summer. It usually happens because I am tied up with survey typing or running charters. Larry usually threatens me with extreme bodily harm or requires some sort of unique showing of loyalty in order for me to be granted the extension. For example, back during the Canyon Kickoff Tournament I had to walk the boardwalk wearing a sandwich board that said, “Larry is the good looking brother and Tom wears pink undies.” I got a lot of strange looks from people, especially since it was a holiday weekend, but I really needed the extra day to turn in my article so I took one for the team. This week Larry was a little more forgiving since the season is winding down. Thankfully my Costa Del Mar sunglasses hide most of the shiner Larry gave me.
Anyways, I needed the extension because I had a really good idea for this week’s column. Today’s fishing trip (which fell right smack dab in the middle of my deadline) was going to be the featured story. As you will see in this issue, Marlin fishing has been consistently good lately and the plan for today was to take my good friend Eric and his family offshore with the sole intention of catching his son Jackson a white marlin. Jackson is 7 years old (almost 8) and he is a fishaholic. He has captured numerous near shore species and is more than ready to step up to the big time! With the way fishing has been I felt fairly confident that we could catch young Jackson his first marlin.
We pulled out of our slip in the Ocean City Fishing Center around 5:00 AM and headed towards the deep of the Poorman’s Canyon. For the past four or five days the marlins have been hanging out anywhere from the hundred fathom line on out to five hundred fathoms or deeper. I have been catching a few on each trip and even though I did not fish yesterday, I had good reports from the guys who did. Jackson was bright eyed and full of pep. His mom was a little sleepy. His Dad, Uncle Don, Grandpop and “Uncle” Pirate were all ready to assist in our mission. Optimism was high.
Then things started to go stray from the plan. The weatherman must have been dyslexic or drunk when he made the forecast. The prediction of 2 to 4 foot seas was off. Way off! Spray was flying. The boat was pounding through the waves. I was more than a little worried that Jackson might fall victim to the dreaded “mal de mer.” More than once after falling off of a wave I expected Eric to come to the fly bridge and tell me we had to abort our mission. I was greatly relieved when the throttles were pulled back at 8:30 AM and Jackson was scampering about with a big smile on his face!
Apparently all through the ride out Jackson was asking his dad questions about the day and anxious to know when we were going to put the lines in. He also had his very own copy of the most recent Coastal Fisherman and he had looked through the entire issue a few times. The boy was ready!
Grandpop and Uncle Pirate rode out the whole way in the cockpit and were slightly salt sprayed, but in good spirits. Huge numbers of flying fish leaping out of our wake had kept them entertained. Uncle Pirate even enjoyed a few cigars. Uncle Don and Mom got in a little shut eye, but both were well prepared to cheer Jackson on in his quest. I guess the whole crew was ready.
Mr. Evans set out the baits and I talked to the guys who got there before us to find out how the early morning bite had been. The general consensus was not good. The most common description was “nothing like yesterday.” I was a little bummed out, but still felt our chances were good.
Two hours later, I still felt our chances were good, but the radio chatter was beginning to discourage me. We still had not had a bite and I was concerned that Jackson might be losing interest. Just about then a mahi attacked our left teaser. The size of the seas made it tough for Uncle Don to see the fish, but when I pulled the teaser away he was able to slide the left flat line right to the mahi and got a solid hook-up. The rod was passed to Jackson who was in the fighting chair and ready for battle. I turned the boat down sea and the fight was on. After a few acrobatic flips the mahi settled down and Jackson pumped the rod and cranked the reel like a pro. Mere minutes later Mr. Evans was gaffing Jackson’s first offshore fish. The entire boat broke out in cheers.
I felt a little bit of relief that Jackson caught a fish, but still desperately wanted a marlin to show up. Unfortunately it was not meant to be. We did not raise a single marlin all trip. It was the first time in over a week that I did not at least get a shot at a marlin. Jackson and his dad were up on the bridge looking at flying fish (the only type of fish that was in abundance from the beginning until the end of the trip). I looked at Jackson and apologized for not getting him a marlin. I told him that the spot where we were fishing was really good yesterday. His reply confirmed to me that he is destined to be a great fisherman.
He looked at me and his father with a little bit of wonder in his eyes and said what any true fisherman would say. “Why didn’t we go yesterday?” Eric and I couldn’t help but laugh. And agree with him.
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.
