Marlin are truly big-game fish, and getting them to the boat, once they are hooked, is a tremendous challenge. They fight like they are educated, so I got educated myself, attending a seminar on fighting the bluewater giants. I learned about “planing,” a helpful technique when the big fish are hanging deep and can’t be budged. It’s a process that when repeated may very well get the marlin to the surface, or at least, stimulate a run.
1. Lessen your reel’s drag a little, then slowly advance the boat for 100 feet.
2. Return the drag to its previous setting, then back throttle about 50 feet while the angler retrieves the slack line.
3. Repeat the process, for you are shortening the distance between you and the fish, moving it to the surface, with each repetition. By repeating this planing technique, you will force fish to drop their “won’t budge” tactics.
Glenn Sapir
Shrub Oak, New York