There are few niches in fishing that require the mental endurance, and sheer line hours spent for every encounter, let alone capture, like that of Land Based Game fishing (LBG). One could very easily be committed, when calculating the time, money and sun exposure spent between each notable fish landed, but as an LBG angler, it is an irrevocable situation. But, LBG like many forms of fishing can be broken down even further, where anglers may focus their efforts on a particular species, and the jewel in the crown of LBG is to land the mighty Black Marlin from the rocks.
Tom Bamforth with a XL Black Marlin taken on a live 75cm Kingfish bait
There are not many fisheries as dependent on the East Australia Current as the small band of anglers who chase pelagics off the stones, and this current is crucial to the arrival, and the holding of Marlin on the VERY small number of ledges that can realistically be fished for them. But as any LBG angler will attest, when the warm warms start lapping the sandstone, there are few places us fishermen would rather be! To be connected to a marlin, in excess of one hundred kilograms with your feet attached to the sandstone cliffs off the East Australian Coast is a surreal feeling, and it is a humbling situation, knowing full well that you are not the one in control. This is not the type of fishing to try and incorporate “finesse” tactics or utilise tackle that is not rugged or tough enough to handle salt, sandstone, UV, and everything else that comes with hiking through the bush and fishing off the rocks. It is a form of fishing where sturdy, rugged tackle reigns. Big hooks, heavy leaders, rods that can set said large hook through a hundred metres of mono stretch, and reels that can accommodate at least a kilometre of line. The whole set up and technique is not one that is overworked, large baits have to be caught on site, kept alive, often for many hours or even days, then the selected baits are hooked up, suspended under a float or balloon (when using larger baits, or utilising wind to get a drift) and given their marching orders. Once the bait is out there, the drift must be mended and attended to minimise tangling with other fishers’ drifts, and this alone takes ones attention for hours if there are many others fishing on the ledge.
Frigate Mackerel, the authors favourite bait for big pelagics off the rocks.
Bait can take many forms, but all the usual baits apply as well. Slimy mackerel and Yellowtail are the most commonly encountered and have claimed the majority of land based beakies, simply due to their ability to be caught on many of the best marlin ledges, but anything that can be spun up will also catch, such as Bonito, Kingfish, Salmon, Mac Tuna, Frigate Mackerel, silver trevally, pike, Garfish, Longtom, I have even heard of fish taken on Sweep and small Samson fish. Hook and Leader size is generally adjusted to the bait chosen, but it pays to have several medium-heavy gauge hook sizes from 6/0-10/0, and leader from 125-200lb, but many serious South Coast Marlin chasers will tell you that you’re wasting time with anything less than 200lb, and I can attest to seeing many “lighter” leaders worn through during extended fights and violent acrobatics.
A large line capacity, and the ability to apply pressure when needed is necessary, yet still never a guarantee in this game.
If you persist for the years that are often required to put yourself in the position of hooking a Black Marlin off the stones, you will need to have everything to best assist you ready, prepped and waiting, hopefully with a good mate to wield the gaff, as the long, drawn out fights that come with these large pelagic don’t often best lend themselves to catch and release, although this has certainly been done a number of times before. Gimbals and harnesses, a long multiple piece gaff, various ropes, buckets, pools, food, clothing and all your fishing equipment must be carried in and out with you. It pays to consolidate everything you require, streamline your outfits, as if you land that fish you are after, this too must be carried out!!
LBG Black Marlin Gear Recommendations From Mike.
-Shimano Speedmaster Roller Tip Game Rod
-Momoi Hi-Catch IGFA Nylon Mono Line
-Black Magic Equalizer Set (Gimbal, Harness, Carry Bag)
