Right, I am aiming to catch a marlin from my Marco 480 next season.

I�ve got so many questions and I guess next season will come around quick. So best I start the planning now.

With my boat I am not going to have any spare space to get all complicated with the set up. Some of my questions are going to seem dumb to the pros and some of it is �what if?�, but I don�t have a clue about this marlin fishing.

So far, I�ve been looking through the 25 pages in �The Work Up� and found lots of helpful info. I�ve got a few gamefishing books at home, but none cover the small boat side.

Here�s a few to start with�

I�m guessing that running two lures will be the go. Firstly, I don�t have the $$$$ to splash out on four fancy rods and reels and as I�ll probably only be able to fish with 2 onboard, the guy having to clear all the gear and drive the boat should there be a hook up, is going to be struggling.

Is it best to run the lines off outriggers or can I get away with flat lining off the back? Is there any advantage of using outriggers if there�s only 2 lures out? Do you want to run the lures in the clear water or the wash?

What line weight should I be gearing up for? 15 or 24kg? I get an inkling that 37kg would be too much. Is that right or wrong?

With fishing 2 up, who does what? The skipper has to clear the gear, drive the boat and if/when you get the fish boatside, do the leadering. If you�re taking the fish, who makes the gaff shot? If you�re fishing to IGFA rules I�m sure the angler can�t put the rod in the rod holder? Right?

Should you use 2 gaffs? Fixed or flying? Is it okay to tie a flying gaff off a cleat, or will this be dangerous? When making a gaff shot should you aim for the head or shoulder? Should you try and kill the fish before you bring it onboard or how do you subdue it and bring it onboard and deal to it without it destroying the boat?

Like I said. Lots of questions� this is only the start

Thanks in advance.     

Sent a PM.

Cheers Bender Espresso was saying the same thing to me re the fish being buggered by the time it's at the boat. There's no way any marlin is going to have any respect for a 16ft tinny. I was thinking along the lines of TLD50 as well, so I can also use it for other purposes.

Thanks Espresso, fired one back at ya.

The info I have from you guys so far is along the same lines.

you dont need fancy reels to catch marlin, i got 1 on a diawa sealine tourdament 50

you still have a swivel other wise your line will twist by having wind-ons you can run a short lure leader if wanted so you cn wind the swivel to th erod tip and then be 2-3m away from the fish

one point on marligator re starboard side, just make sure your down wind of the fish so you dont drift of it and it goes under the boat

why wouldnt yo trust cotton gloves bender? they stick like glue to a beaky?

oh yeah did i say marlin fishing is where its at cause once you get the bug god help your bank account, am i wrong fellas????????

Don't know what you mean BA..

Saltiga wrote: why wouldnt yo trust cotton gloves bender? they stick like glue to a beaky?