Marlin on a handline

Matt Watson, host of the ITM Fishing Show has proven recently he'll go to amazing lengths to get some great action for his show.  Putting to sea in a 3.89m stbicraft Matt successfully hooked a striped marlin on a skipjack livebait and landed it.

 

According to Kerren Packer, the ITM Fishing Show Production Manager, "This was a pretty special capture as Matt and the team have been trying really hard and putting in lots of sea hours to get it.... it was very much an 'earned" fish'.  Coming to a TV screen near you later in the year, the ITM Fishing show is definitely 'must see' viewing.

Angler: Matt Watson
Species: Striped Marlin
Weight: 110kg
Vessel: Water Rat (389 Stabi - Frontier)
Tackle: 200lb HANDLINE???
Lure/Bait: Live Skipjack Tuna
Fight time: 1 hour
Location: 130m off the Herekino

PS: Don't try this on a baitschool near you in your tinny unless you've had at least as much experience as Matt has in catching marlin....  NOT for the inexperienced.