Galapagos Marlin Fishing Report - Schooling Marlin

 

Galapagos does not seize to amaze even those of us who fish it often. 2010 as predicted is turning out to be better than we thought. Only an average of 1 boat fishing less than 20 days in January and over 500 marlin were raised. Now we are in the middle of Feb and 2 to 3 boats fishing each day have raised in less than 10 days of fishing over 1,200 marlin estimated. Everyday has seen double digits. Our boats has raised less on average because we have been fly fishing and those who fly fish know that using 2 or 3 teasers on one side of the boat plus spending longer time fighting fish with 20 and 12 lb tippets takes valuable time out of the day.

Water conditions have not been flat calm as they should be for this time of the year however conditions are very reasonable. Good amounts of bait and sea life on the bank. Birds have not been so frequent, however daily shows of schooling marlin feeding on the surface have been.

 

Here is our latest report:

Feb 13, 2010 onboard the Blue we set out with a very good friend and regular client Terry Carter to fly fish for stripes. The day was cloudy and visibility in the water was very dark making it hard to see the marlin. The water was dark blue. We made it to Rosa Blanca main bank and began fishing the area call "Marlin Alley" and "Punto Rojo". There were 4 other boats including Pete Santini aboard the Sea Hands fishing. Fish were being caught and released left and right and it seemed like there was plenty to go around for everyone. We managed to raised 11 stripes get 3 half assed bites on the fly and 3 very solid bites from which Terry Carter released 2 stripes of 160# and 180# estimated. After talking to the other captains and crews we calculated that the total marlin raised between 5 boats was over 180 this day!!

Valentine’s Day, 2010 was met with early morning loving from the fish. 5 bites on fly with an nice stripey around 140# landed on 20# tippet by Terry Carter. 40 minutes before quitting time one of our engines acted up with an electrical problem so we decided to head in early on the Blue. On the way in with 1 engine we put a rod out to catch dinner. A stripey decided to take the lure and my assistant Andy Vaca (19 years old) who came out for pictures released his first stripey ever on standup 50#. A total of 16 striped were raised.

 

Feb 15, 2010 it was time to take our newest addition to our fleet the new 2010 Johnamar. Terry Carter invited Fat Daniel and Alexandro Marlon from Uruguay. Terry caught 2 stripes on fly out of 3 bites before he decide he had enough. Next up at bat was Carter’s good friend Fat Daniel who rigged up a fly on a spinning rod and caught a nice stripey . 2 stripes teased up fighting over a teaser and Fat Daniel hooked one on the spinner. Alexandro caught a nice stripey on 50# standup which was his first ever. A total of 14 stripes were raised and 4 released. The two boats fishing next to us reported over 40 marlin raised by each bringing the total to over 90 marlin raised by 3 boats this day.

 

Feb 16, 2010 Terry Carter went out on the Johnamar. Terry Carter invited Pete Santini, Fat Daniel, Mike and son Jake Queens (10 year old). The day was partly sunny and visibility was great. We arrived on Rosa Blanca and fished Marlin Alley. Marlin seemed to be everywhere and tailers were quite common. Terry Carter went 1 for 5 on the fly bites. He released a nice 140# stripey. Jake Queens released a stripey around 170# on 50# standup. The fish were very finicky but we managed to raise 40 marlin in the spread this day.

 

Feb 17, 2010 Terry Carte set out onboard the Johnamar for another great day of fly fishing. The water was calmer and the day was beautiful raising 13 stripes and releasing one on fly after almost 2 hours. Terry had 3 good bites of which one fish he broke off with the fly line wrapped around his reel handle.

More reports are to come. There are plenty of fish here and very few open dates left before June. Take advantage of the phenomenal fishing and book now! Remember we only operate 4 stroke gasoline powered boats for your safety, less down time and the for the environment’s sake.

 

Braden Escobar

President ECUAGRINGO S.A Hunting, fishing and adventure in Ecuador, Galapagos Islands and Peru