First Striped Marlin for Illinois Friends

First Striped Marlin for Illinois Friends.  Johnny G, along with Mike and his dad Bill from Huntly, IL have a story to tell when they arrive back home!  While visiting the Big Island during a convention they were attending, the group decided to take time off for a Kona fishing adventure.  And an adventure it was! We waited almost all day for our first bite.  The two best friends awaited the first bite by spending time on the bridge, on the bow, in the salon and cockpit.  We checked out every single sign we saw from floating debris and birds to another boat that was hooked up.  Finally, while circling that boat a safe and respectful distance away, our long rigger went down!  A Bomboy “M16” lure has tempted the fish!  The fight is on.  Johnny is in the chair and remembering every single detail from the “chair talk” earlier today while he sucessfully lands the 80lb  Striped Marlin in just under fifteen minutes with no help from the crew!  Awesome Job!  Once the Striped Marlin was successfully tagged and the hooks easily removed, Johnny was able to assist in reviving the fish.  We explained the importance of releasing the billfish and the impact this makes on our fishery. By letting this one go, it insures more fish for them to catch later.  These two Seventh Grade friends will share this memory for a lifetime.  Hopefully, Mike’s Dad will bring him back soon to catch his first Marlin too.

Johnny featured in photo above assisting release of his Striped Marlin.  Best friend Mike along with his Dad featured in main photo.