© CAPTAIN ANDREW LOCASCIO

The Galapagos archipelago has a secret. It has more super size striped, blue and black marlin than© CAPTAIN ANDREW LOCASCIO anywhere in the world. The waters around the islands that made Charles Darwin famous are 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. Isolated, unspoiled and fiercely protected by the Ecuadorian government, the fishery thrives. The islands’ wildlife include nearly everything that makes the Galapagos famous like sea lions, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, numerous exotic sea birds and, of course, several of Darwin’s famous finches.

The charters depart from San Cristóbal. The small town of 6,000 could be paradise. The Spanish-speaking people are warm and friendly. They grow or catch most of their own food. San Cristóbal is 90 minutes from Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Aerogal Airlines. Continental and American Airlines serve Guayaquil, which is four hours from Miami, five hours from Houston and six hours from Newark, NJ. The best time to visit is from December to April – the hot season, characterized by warm weather and little wind. It is too windy to fish during the cold season on most days.

© CAPTAIN ANDREW LOCASCIOThe sun was just over the horizon. Four of the biggest trolling lures I had ever seen were leaving smoke trails in the wake of our boat. Off in the distance a swarm of seabirds hammered an acre wide patch of water as dozens of porpoises crashed through the waves. Our guide, Pete Santini, had a smug grin. We were still hundreds of yards from the melee when the port line exploded from the outrigger and screamed off the reel. The starboard quarter lure was repeatedly struck, but missed before the other lines were clear.

Dr. Julie Ball grabbed the port reel, hooked up her harness, and settled in for an incredible display of aerial acrobatics as an over 450-pound blue marlin went ballistic. Minutes later the fish was boatside and, after a few pictures, released to fight another day. We had dozens of strikes that day that brought eight marlin, ranging from a 200-pound striped marlin to a 500-pound-plus blue, to the boat. The bite turned out to be as Santini had promised: striped marlin to 300-pounds, blue marlin 300-pounds or more and black marlin 400 to1,000 pounds in several locations. On the edges of submerged volcanic seamounts is where most of the fishing is. Nutrient rich currents collide with and rise over the seamounts, supporting huge concentrations of baitfish. Grand slams are common and it is normal to have at least 30 strikes each day.

Santini, a Boston native, arrived in late 2004. He joined forces with local fisherman and tour operator© CAPTAIN ANDREW LOCASCIO Gustavo Hernandez. Santini, an IGFA representative, has worked hard to outfit the 33-foot Sea Hands as a hardcore marlin-fishing machine. Together they are living the dream: exploring a limitless fishery in pursuit of giant marlin. Even after countless trips, the novelty has not worn thin. According to Santini, “There are so many places to fish, we’re not afraid to experiment with different lures and techniques. We learn something new every day.”  Striped marlin, he said, are everywhere, but sometimes blue and black ones outnumber them. Santini and Hernandez continue to hone their strategies and have built quite a reputation for consistently finding big marlin.

Big Plastics = Big Fish

Trolling big plastic lures is the only way.  Seven-strand 15-inch Kona Classics and big Black Bart trolling lures are irresistible. Bait is plentiful. Live or whole dead-baits, however, are quickly picked off by monster mahi mahi, wahoo and yellowfin tuna. The fish respond well to the plastics. Higher trolling speeds allow the boat to cover more water. The spreads are usually limited to four to six lures as multiple hookups are common. Although a wide range of lure colors and head styles are effective, the darker lure patterns are usually more productive. Sizeis important. The bigger lures discourage most other species and allow the boat to troll through an area of mixed fi sh and focus only on big marlin.

Normally the lures are rigged with a 25-foot length of 400-pound Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon leader double-crimped to a Gamakatsu 11/0 blade point tuna hook. The rig is complete with a 200-pound SPRO ball bearing snap swivel. Sometimes the action is so fierce the lures are rigged with three feet of multi-strand wire cable to resist repeated slashes from marlin bills. Teasers are not necessary because the big lures make enough commotion to bring in the fish.

Big Fish = Big Gear

Leave your light tackle home. Two-speed 50-pound class reels loaded with 80-pound line on stand-up rods are perfect. Many of the fish are too big to fight with a belt alone and even the toughest anglers quickly get arm weary. A tuna buster belt with a kidney or back harness and offshore gloves are required. The harness will allow the angler to use his entire body when fighting the fish. With coaching, an angler can put enough pressure on the fish to shorten the fight thereby releasing the fish quickly so the boat gets back on the troll. The gloves provide protection from the line and the blistering sun, and allow the angler a chance at a great “hands on bill” photo opportunity during the release. (All fish are released.) Handling the bill of a marlin takes practice and care. The crew should decide when it is appropriate.

© CAPTAIN ANDREW LOCASCIOYellowfin Tuna and More

Lost in all the marlin madness, is the incredible and mostly unexplored yellowfin tuna fishery. The marlin fishing is so good it is hard to take the time to chase tuna and other species. The hottest tuna spots are usually miles from the best marlin spots. The nearby Humboldt Current and the underwater topography create water conditions that favor certain species. There are 50- to 100-pound yellowfin and even some 150-pound brutes mixed in. Trolling plastics, cedar plugs, and diving lures like Yo-Zuri Bonito and Hydro Magnums will yield tuna, wahoo, big mahi mahi and monster Almaco jacks.

Breaking school tuna are a common sight and are perfect targets for heavy spinning tackle. A medium heavy/heavy six to seven foot spinning rod and a reel capable of holding at least 250 yards of 30 to 50 pound braided line are required.  The thin diameter of braided lines provides a big advantage in casting distance and additional line capacity. Big Yo-Zuri Surface Cruisers and Surface Bull GT’s also increase casting distance and produce dramatic strikes.

The Shimano Butterfly jigs are deadly on the tuna and wahoo. Trevala medium heavy or heavy rods and Torsa 20N or 30N reels loaded with 80-pound Spiderwire will exceed any other jigging outfit. Jigs 110 grams and larger are needed. Some of the drifts can be very fast. Jigs as large as 200 grams must be used. All of the colors and patterns are effective. A six-foot length of 80-pound Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon leader is attached to the main line. Wahoo bite-offs can be prevented by adding a 12-inch length of 60-pound multi-strand, coated wire in front of the jig. The wire does not noticeably reduce the effectiveness of the jig.

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