Handling Billfish - How to improve...
Submitted by Adam Gallash on Tue, 2011-06-21 14:25
Hi Crew,
I thought we might be able to get an educational piece going to try and help the new guys to billfishing with some tips and techniques on how to handle billfish to best ensure their survival. I'm thinking along the lines of taking photos with the fish alongside the boat rather than dragging them out of the water etc and how to make your first marlin/sail memorable whilst getting that satisfying feeling knowing it has its best chance to swim away freely.
Cheers,
Adam
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dodgy
Posts: 4588
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I've been seriously
I've been seriously considering buyingor making a 'snooter'. Looks much safer for the fish and the angler.
I also generally make it practice to always keep the boat in gear and moving forward while tracing a fish. Last thing youwant is a agro Billie jumping into you. (been there before)
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
fishermans widow
Posts: 44
Date Joined: 05/02/11
Great idea Adam, not a good
Great idea Adam, not a good look seeing all these billfish being bought on board just for the sake of a photo!
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
Great Idea Adam!
Great Idea Adam!
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
if you want to drag the fish
if you want to drag the fish up onboard and you have a saltwater deckwash, have it running before you trace the fish so when you do get it up give it some oxygen over the gills.\
also have everything ready at your disposal before you start trolling, make sure everyone knows how to use it too like cameras, tag poles, reels the baot in general etc, keep the decks clear!
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
A good topic for us
A good topic for us beginners Well we will be going hard next year on the billies .4x New rods and reels ,witchdoctor teaser gloves and full set off lures and new hooks coming next week. accomadation in town all booked bring it on .Just down from Adam 9 skipjack circle.
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Lastchance
Posts: 1274
Date Joined: 02/02/09
The bill snooter is one of
The bill snooter is one of the easiest/best ways to swim them as it allows the Billies own weight to hold it in the water whilst reviving as apposed to holding the Bill and getting frothy/bubbly water mix through the gills.
If you intend to take a photo, deal with the fish first ie tag and/or remove hook(s) and get the cameras ready with the fish still in the water - get the angler to stand behind the skippers' seat, grab the bill and take the shot from the rear corner of the boat, preferrably with the sun on the right. This will give a better shot (colourwise) because the fish will be in better condition than if lifted aboard. If the decision is made to lift the fish on (like in my avatar which Ive previously said I dont do anymore) keep the fish in the water as long as you can, LIFT not drag the fish over the side and take heaps of shots quickly and put it back into the water and swim it properly - keeping the bill under the water as the gills dont work very well with 2 phase flow (air and water).
Gravity doesnt help either, as the internal organs of fish arent designed to self support themselves. On that note, if you do get a saily or marlin and it doesnt look too healthy on release, keep it. Sails are probably best smoked, but marlin are good to eat, especially Stripey's, and it is legal to take 1 per angler - dont worry about the comments from the gurus that think they are looking after the fishery by letting them go, only to fill out the tag card saying 'sank off strongly'. Better off in your freezer than crab feed.
kinga86
Posts: 282
Date Joined: 16/10/08
I have heard Marlin are
I have heard Marlin are beautiful on the plate! If I caught a half knackered smallish specimen I wouldnt hesitate to keep it. Billfish arent exactly as endangered species.
Lastchance
Posts: 1274
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Exactly. They just need heaps
Exactly. They just need heaps of alfoil and 3 webbers in a row to cook. At least you only need a spit spike at the tail end!
dodgy
Posts: 4588
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Much more sustainable than
Much more sustainable than keeping a big Red Emperor or Dhuie.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Lastchance
Posts: 1274
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Im having flashbacks to a
Im having flashbacks to a bloke holding a filleted marlin in a tinny in the NT from another forum?.......Nah, surely not! The wings were left on!
dodgy
Posts: 4588
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Haha. That pic has never been
Haha. That pic has never been posted here and those wings were removed and proved delicious.... Allegedly.
To be honest I have not had another Black die on me since then. All have come good after a short swim. Would certainly not hesitate to do the same again though. If it's a choice between feeding me or a shark... I pick me.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Lastchance
Posts: 1274
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Damn right mate. You keen for
Damn right mate. You keen for a trip down if/when the billies come back in down here?
dodgy
Posts: 4588
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Always keen mate. Looking at
Always keen mate. Looking at heading down on sat for a look actually. I left my rig down in ktown after the shootout.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
BOOMER
Posts: 179
Date Joined: 24/01/11
I agree if you can let them
I agree if you can let them go healthy thats fine but don`t feel bad if you take one home for fillet`s, I`ve eaten small blacks and they taste great cut thin and shallow fried fresh is as good as any pelagic.
And back on the subject of letting Marlin (any fish Go) I have a good mate who is in aquaculture he mainly deals with tuna and yellowtail kingfish and he assures me that any fish particulary pelagics that have there slime coating ruptured may as well have a gaff put through it`s gills as they will develop a bacteria infection and be fish food in a short time, just something to think about next time your holding a fish up for a photo leaning it against your dry T shirt.
We all do it but dont think the fish swim off to live a long and healthy life afterwards.
Cheers Boomer.
Big hook,
Big bait,
BIG FISH !!!!!
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
My first billie died so we
My first billie died so we took it in and handed it out to the pensioner at the park we had some that night .bloody as good as any fish up there .and we made a lot of freinds in the park .no good feeding the sharks .they get enough free fish .
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fishermans widow
Posts: 44
Date Joined: 05/02/11
Great idea Adam, but I dont
Great idea Adam, but I dont think we need to get into a discussion about whether to take a marlin home to fillet, if it doesnt survive. You are correct BOOMER, The Billfish Foundation Tag and Release program states, NEVER remove the fish from the water. This can result in fatal damage for two reasons: 1. Excess rubbing and drying can result in the loss of the protective coat found on the surface of the fish. Without this protective covering, the fish becomes susceptible to bacterial infection and parasites. 2. Additionally, the skeleton of a billfish is designed for the buoyant conditions of the ocean. Removing the fish from the water, even onto the gunnel, causes the skeleton to come under the full strain of gravity, which can damage the skeleton and internal organs. A fish can only hold its breath for 3 minutes our of the water. We need to be promoting tag and release in a sustainable way, and educate the younger fishes how to do it!
terboz123
Posts: 1358
Date Joined: 13/04/11
Small rat Blues are
Small rat Blues are delicious! cant say i have eaten black or stripe though.......
The charter fleet off hawaii (where ive done a bit of bill chasing) are turning to catch and release though, if the fish is dead at the side of the boat, (happened to me love baiting) they are willing to keep and sell. They are truely a delicious fish, but i wouldnt be killing one unless it was on its way boat side....
Handling fish boat side is a pretty magical moment in my opinion....they are a pretty special fish
a hard days fishing still beats work
PGFC member
GCGFC memberCAPTAIN BERNIE
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Agree, handling a billfish
Agree, handling a billfish at the side of a boat is a pretty magical moment, I adopted that policy about 3 years ago now, no more fish bought on the boat for photos and have notice that they are a lot healthier and easier to release alive.
Jack
Posts: 261
Date Joined: 18/10/05
Great idea Adam, Im pretty
Great idea Adam, Im pretty sure the first one that anyone catchs will be bought in for a pic or two... Regardless of what we say/think... I think some tips on where to grab them and the best way to support them for the new players that havent had the pleasure of landing one would be helpfull maybe???? Sure if your like Captain Bernie here and have seen/caught 3,250,007 then yeh... fair call.... We are pretty lucky to have them in our backyard and yeh ya spot on.
CAPTAIN BERNIE
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 09/01/08
There are no tips on how to
There are no tips on how to bring them on board to get a photo and release them successfully. The best and only way is to hold the fish at the side of the boat by the bill and get a photo that way. The fish is suspending itself in the water and you are not touching the protective coat on the surface of the fish. Without this protective covering, the fish becomes susceptible to bacterial infections. The Billfish Foundation has adopted this policy after years of study by Dr Julian Pepperall, a marine scientist from Australia, who has studied marlin for a number of years. It doesnt matter how many fish I have caught, I still have first time anglers who catch a marlin, excited about having a photo taken from the side of the boat with the fish in the photo.
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Great subject, no more
Great subject, no more Billfish in the boat for me! Caught Striped Marlin when living in NZ and pulled onboard for pics but this sort of knowledge was not available then. Caught a Sailfish last year at Warroora Station and brought that on board for a pic. It swam away fine but with all the knowledge about now, I can't be sure it survived. From now on unless a fish dies coming to the boat (and I hope that never happens) all fish will remain in the water for pics then release. Interesting read about 'Bill Snooters' will get one.
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
CAPTAIN BERNIE
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Good to hear "Bluetonic"
Good to hear "Bluetonic" glad to give anyone any further advice on the subject!
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
never caught a billie my be next year
I think a topic on the subject of handling bill fish would be great.
Now I'll ask a couple of questins and show mylack of knowledge, whats a snooter and how do you use one.Do you think it is worth investing in a witchdoctor or make up your own teasers. Would anyone like to comment on a reccommended trolling speed with surface lures,and bait big gardies.
Thanks for any info anyone can give to this billfish virgin
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Meglodon, type 'Bill Snooter'
Meglodon, type 'Bill Snooter' into google and this question of your's will be answered. As for your other questions, gee! I troll minow lures at between 4 and 6 knots and pushers up to 10 knots but again it all depends on conditions and target species. I'm a strong believer of reflective bird teasers but that's what has worked for me. Have used a witchdoctor but I just couldn't get it to swim properly.
A lot is trial and error and again, finding what works best on the day. Like all kinds of fishing, you have to be versitile.
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
CAPTAIN BERNIE
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 09/01/08
For information check out
For information check out "the Billfish Foundation" website, has lots of hints, tips and advice on handling billfish safely, and maybe become a member!
CCC
Posts: 540
Date Joined: 29/03/10
I Agree with JackThe first
I Agree with Jack
The first one we caught got brought on board for a Photo. From then on they are release without boarding. I've learnt a heap from this site on handling fish not just billies but all fish. Can I suggest if people see a post and dont agree with the handling technique they consider how they approch the subject so to not belittle the person. An old saying "you dont know what you dont know" .Maybe a PM would be a better starting point.
CCC
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15661
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Bump
An old thread but a good one, worth a re-read for those that are heading up to billfish country over the next few months.
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Seaquest
Posts: 1136
Date Joined: 22/10/09
Robson Green
Should send this link to Robson Green. He was fishing in Mexico on the last show catching striped marlin. The fish were yanked aboard, wrestled for a photo then thrown back tail first.
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
i think this is a good idea
lots written about how they taste hahaha capt bernie is extremely knowledgable on the topic but lets be realistic....everyone wants a photo holding their prize catch if possible....any more pointers about getting the fish onboard whilst causing as minimal damage as possible would be greatly appreciated.
thanks for the info posted so far...
Gooooone Fishin!
neville hood
Posts: 51
Date Joined: 26/09/11
landed a small black a month
landed a small black a month ago and got some footage on dvd video while my young son also manouvered the boat and filmed. The thought never even entered my mind to try and lift it onboard and I have no regrets about not doing it.
katsy85
Posts: 209
Date Joined: 13/02/12
Looking at getting into
Looking at getting into billfishing, any tips would be great!