Mattoo, I am actually inclined to agree with you to a point, repeatedly going out and putting up numbers like this would arguably be unnecessary and potentially inconsiderate, However, the fact is a day like that is a once in a lifetime opportunity where preparation, skill and good timing all have to come together. Further to this, many of the guests on that vessel are going to do that once in their life.
I for one know that ideals are easy to have before you get up there, but once immersed in the fishery you just end up enjoying it to its full extent.
In terms of the fish suffering, I don't believe this is an issue at all. Most releases are comfortably sub 5 minute on light line with very little water resistance, the fish are able to swim comfortably at a speed more than sufficient to oxygenate. Arguably they are far better off than the 90Kg stripes that are fought from a dead boat on 37kg line and then tagged for their efforts back home in NZ.
The snapped off leaders are also of minimal concern as the setup promotes the leader breaking no further than 5 ft from the hook. Usually 25 pound mainline to a 80 pound wind on which attaches to a 5ft bite leader via a snap swivel. Further to this, the Circle hooks (8/0 light gauge) are snelled onto the leader and the weakest point of the whole rig is at the eye of the hook, the leader breaks here over 80% of the time. This means the fish doesn't have its head out for the water banging on the side of the boat whilst someone tries to get the hook out.
The shark theory is decidedly incorrect, as is the size estimate. There are a small amount of sharks in the area (appear to be sub 20kg makos or porbeagles) that have more than enough food without chasing around striped marlin. The striped marlin are between 40 - 80kg with an average around 50-60kg. This is not an immature fish in the scheme of Striped Marlin, it just appears that way seeing as we have Stripes of exaggerated size in NZ.
In terms of the fishing not being much of an achievement or irrelevant as you say, I think that shows a lack of knowledge on how a day like this is achieved. The work of the anglers to hook of 80% of their bites and catch that number of fish on well matched tackle is an achievement. The mates keeping up with that much tackle and baits is an achievement. The Captain running his boat to ensure hooking 5 or 6 fish in the turn is an achievement.
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