Thanks for following us!

Billfishreport.com

The top 5:

1.  Mauna Kea – 11 (notables 950, 800)

2.  Spartacus – 9 (notables 850, 800)

3.  Joe Joe – 8 (notables 1100, 1100)

4.  Viking II – 8 (notables 1000, 600)

5.  Hart Throb – 8 (notables 950, 800)

And here’s some iPhone video of the tournament’s largest fish, a 1200-pounder on the Kekoa…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxvUHAyfIMY

Incredible!

Check out fromthewatermagazine.com for the best in fishing reports from South Florida.  Also listen to live streaming audio, 24/7, of the best radio fishing show in the business – FishTalk Radio on floridakeysradio.com.

"Bottom Line" - Bisbees Day 1

Cabo, Mexico – Just a reminder that safety always comes first on the water – boat The Bottom Line sank minutes after the shotgun flare to start the tournament.  Thankfully all seven members aboard were rescued by another tournament boat, the Sneak Attack.  More information…http://www.bisbees.com/Local/news/2009/articles/2009-10-22_BBB_bottomline.htm

TOP TEN – Starting in December we’ll be counting down the Top Billfisheries in the world from this year.  Clearly several fisheries – Australia, Panama, to name just two – are either still going strong or are just about to heat up and can move up or down given their results over the next month or so.

But let us know your thoughts on which fisheries have posted the best results – # of fish, size of fish, unique catches/extraordinary feats – this year!

- 41 white marlin caught on one boat in one day off Virginia Beach  http://billfishreport.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/virginia-beach-epic-white-marlin/

- A doubleheader on blue marlin in Madeira on Capt Peter Bristow’s Katherine B…a 700-pounder and a Grander at the same time

- A Super Slam off the Texas Gulf Coast (video link…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngNj1-flDw)

…but one day this week may top them all.  First of all, on Wednesday, #10 Ribbon Reef saw FIVE Granders…all on the same reef.  And Capt Bill Billson’s Viking II caught TWO granders, same boat, same day.  Epic day on the water, never to be forgotten!

What billfishing days this year would challenge these?  Let us know your thoughts.

A nice celebratory dinner on the Viking II this week...two granders on the same day!

Flags Flying! - Courtesy of Cabo Verde Billfish Club

Cape Verde Islands – Always hailed as one of the finest blue marlin fisheries in the world, 2009 did not disappoint. Perhaps nowhere in the world, can you catch such great numbers of blue marlin as well as PLENTY of 500 lbs + fish.

We follow one of the top Captains in the area, Zak Conde.  Capt. Zak primarily captains “Amelia” a 36′ Bertram. Joining the Amelia this past season was the Beast’n a 40′ Cabo, that some of you may have heard about up in the Azores as well, where she spends part of the season.

Amelia finished the season with 131 Blue Marlin and Beast’n finished with 141 Blue Marlin. That is just about as good as it gets, especially given that they primarily fish April-July, but there are fish there year round.

Both boats saw way too many 2-3 fish days to list. We wanted to point out a couple highlights of the season. On a three day run in May, Amelia went 15-34, with one fish pushing 600 lbs. Probably the best day of the year however was in the middle of May, when Amelia went 8-15 in one day of fishing.

If you want a good shot at good numbers and size (there was one confirmed Grander) on Blue Marlin, there is probably no better fishery than the Cape Verde Islands. Check out www.marlincapeverde.com to hook up with these guys for a great trip.

Grander Blue for Katherine B?

Madeira, Portugal – The summer time bite has gone, but what a great season it was for Madeira. There were at least 10 fish pushing GRANDER status caught by the boats this season. This is VERY much a no kill fishery and they take great pride in that. Make not doubt about it, when these guys call a fish over the mark, it is well over the mark. The fish picture above caught by famed Capt. Pete Bristow was called 950 lbs. Biggest 950 we have EVER seen.

The two main boats we follow are the Katherine B, Captained by Peter Bristow and Grander Captained by both Jonboy Kelmer and Tracy Epstein.

The fishing may have been as good as they have seen since the 1996 year, but given the economic times, it it tough to fully understand how great it could have been. By our count, Grander has no less than 20 fish over 500 lbs with at least two approaching Grander status. Katherine B, not wanting to be out done released at least 20 fish over the 700 lbs mark with about three fish of Grander status.

If you are looking to catch a Grander Blue Marlin in the Atlantic, there is no better place than Madeira.

Katherine “B” – www.fishmadeira.com – Photo courtesy of Peter Bristow

Grander – www.meltontackle.com/blog/

Black Marlin Behind the Boat

Cairns, Australia – It is early in the season, but you are already seeing good size black marlin show up on the reef. Every year is different, but 2009 so far has thrown in an additional twist. The normal flood of smaller males in late August and September, never really appeared. Instead the big girls decided to show up to the party without dates.

The first week of October has shown what will hopefully prove to be a great season. While no fish have broken the  “Grander” mark, you should expect to see one any day.

Here are some highlights from the past week.

Kekoa – 700 – 800 – 800

Shaka – 650 – 950

Allure – 900

Cool Runnings – 750

Valhalla – 700

Looks like a good season to get out there and get them. Just make sure you let us know what you caught via Twitter (@Billfshreport)

Thanks VERY much to our friends at blackmarlinblog.com for always keeping us up to date during the season.

Black marlin on the reef, from this weekend. Courtesy Bill Billson

Boats are generally reporting a couple of shots a day at black marlin – but the heavy tackle season is yet to see the grander show up yet.  Some notable fish being caught in the last week…

- 650-pound black marlin by Capt Billy Billson, on Ribbon Reef #10

- the Kekoa going 3-3 on Sunday, all small males to 300 pounds

- Cool Runnings picked up a 750-pounder last week

- Shaka released a 900-pounder last week

- the Reel Ripe tagged and released a 600-pound black marlin last week

- Kekoa also got an 800 about a week ago

Trends are very much in favor of some larger girls being seen soon – but the fishing is going good thus far, with the big girls being spotted if not being caught quite yet.

Keep it tuned in to here as we’ll keep our eyes on everything going on at the Reef!