"Right rigger, right rigger! Blue marlin!" yells Capt. Eddie Morrison of the Marlin Prince as a large dark shape materializes behind one of the baits splashing in the boat's wake. A split second later, the broad back of a 400-pound fish breaks the surface as it gulps down the trolled mackerel. Line screams from the reel as the massive billfish realizes it's hooked and shoots skyward, tail walking across the water in a shower of spray. I take the rod in my hands and immediately feel the marlin's great power as it swings its head from side to side trying to get free. At moments like this, you realize that the fish isn't the only one hooked: Big-game fishing is a big-time addiction.
While most folks visit the U.S. Virgin Islands for their breathtaking scenery, white beaches and duty-free shopping, a whole different world awaits just offshore. The Virgin Islands -- and St. Thomas in particular -- are meccas for big-game sport fishing, attracting anglers from around the globe in pursuit of the blue marlin that seasonally migrate through the area. Most of the fishing starts in the little port town of Red Hook, just a 20-minute boat ride from the famed North Drop, an enormous underwater canyon that plunges past 2,000 feet. Strong upwelling currents feed a fertile ecosystem that attracts giant schools of bait fish, and vast numbers of blue marlin use the North Drop as a feeding station. During the summer, these waters provide arguably the world's most consistent and prolific blue marlin fishing.
Blue marlin can grow to more than 1,000 pounds, but off St. Thomas the fish average 200 to 300 pounds -- the perfect size for novice anglers. The island's charter crews are some of the most experienced offshore fishermen and are always eager to teach newcomers the intricacies of big-game fishing. Boats in the marlin fleet are floating condos, complete with air-conditioned salons, full kitchens and bathrooms.
Charters leave the dock around 7:30 a.m. and begin trolling as soon as they hit the fishing grounds. Once a marlin rises to the lures -- colorful, foot-long artificials or rigged mackerel -- chaos erupts. There's not a more heart-pounding sight in the sport of fishing than a furious, 300-pound animal leaping completely clear of the water and crashing down on your bait. Once hooked, blue marlin make long, sizzling runs that can strip 300 yards of line from the reel in a matter of seconds. As thrilling as the long run is, it's then your job to wind it all back in, often a few tough inches at a time.
With the right mixture of strength and finesse, you can eventually haul in a fish several times your size, bringing it alongside the boat for pictures before releasing it back to the open ocean. Blue marlin populations are declining, and there's no need to kill these magnificent creatures. You can easily get a trophy mount made from measurements and weight estimates alone. After the exhilaration of the battle, it's gratifying to watch the fish swim away in good shape as the crew cheers your catch and readies the lines for another shot at big blue.
For information on booking a big-game boat out of Red Hook, call Capt. Jennifer Schubert of American Yacht Harbor at 340-775-6454.
Posted online 04/02/04.
