June Bug hosted two avid fishermen from Michigan on Saturday, June 26. Jon Kunzman and Adam Brown were grad school roomies and have fished in Cabo, Central America, Belize, the Keys, etc. before.

We left Beach Haven Yacht Club a little early and arrived at the Lindenkohl Canyon about 4 a.m. We could only see one other boat when we arrived and started to fish about 6 miles inshore of the 100 fathom tip. There had been a large number of Bigeye Tuna reports and the boat we could see reported that they had one Eyeball that had caught Friday evening. so we loaded the spread with spreader bars with large baits. Sea conditions were outstanding. Wind about SW 10 knots, seas 2 feet or less. Nice blue water with more bait, porpoise, pilot and larger whales than we have seen in 20 years. Many Fin Back whales about 60' long. Everyone was stoked.

Not a knockdown until well after dawn. We then got covered up with Skipjack Tuna who ate everything we had out, large to small. Of course, anything with a Ballyhoo was gobbled up. We released all the Skippys and got back to business. We then started a steady pick of short striker Yellowfins that we figured were shorts. After a short while, mixed with missed strikes we had a good hookup with a larger fish and line peeled off. After a decent fight for its size, we put a 35# Yellowfin in the box. A few minutes after, a 10# Mahi was in the box. 20 minutes after that, in the same spot as the first Yellowfin, another 30# fish was in the box. Shortly later, another Mahi bit the dust.

We then went a whole hour and a half with nothing. The water looked great. Plenty of activity and bait but no fish. We then deployed our secret weapon. We don't mind discussing this since it only works on June Bug. The captain loudly announced he needed a nap and mate Capt. Nate Figley took the helm. The skipper went below and hit the bunk for literally less than 2 minutes when the yells started "Hook Up!".

The captain was back at the helm and the cockpit was cleared. Nate had our party trained well. Everyone pitched in and Jon Kunzman of West Bloomfield, Michigan was on the rod. The fished screamed line off and went deep.

Jon handled this fish correctly but the fish just kept taking line and taking it fast. We'd get some back and off the fish would go at speed again. After about 20 minutes, using his harness and belt to the maximum, Jon gave to the rod up to Adam Brown also of West Bloomfield, Michigan.

We all figured we had an Eyeball but after about 25 minutes, the line angle started up and all of a sudden, with about 650 yards of 50# Stren out, the most beautiful Blue Marlin of about 450 pounds started tailwalking across our wake. The Adam kept the line tight and gained a lot of line during that part of the tussle. After backing on this big girl, the angler started short stroking gaining about 18" of line per pump. He got most of the line back when the Marlin would take it right back out, first quickly, then as the repetitions wore on her, more and more slowly. Adam stayed with her the rest of the way. He did a masterful job on this fish.

She was finally brought to the boat and released after about an hour and forty five minutes total.

The fish hit a Ballyhoo topped with a red and blue 1/4 ounce mylar Billy Bait. The leader was Stren 300#. The leader was thoroughly bruised at the end and broke just above the hook a second or so after mate Capt. Nate Figley took control at the end. The fish had wrapped the leader around its mouth and bill in the last stages.

A great day on the ocean.

We tell people that fishing from the middle to late June offshore is some of the best of the year. Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Yellowfin Tuna are there in quantity and we have had some of June Bug's best fishing each year during this period. Potential charter customers should not bypass this period for later in the year. Next season, give the last half of June a try.

There are still some excellent dates available. Give us a call.

Capt. Lindsay Fuller. Cell 609-685-2839. Let's Go Fishin!