Fergofisher

Also lads - this may be a dumb questions but i'm going to ask it.. I know blacks can come quite close in if the bait, conditions etc warrents working 1 km off land would you be working this area or trying to find similar conditions out wider abit? Not having a Marlin back round - still crazy to think these fish come in that close

Thanks boys - what you're all saying makes sense. I do have some gear ready for a livey so will keep that in mind if i'm struggling to raise one. Heads up - if i can hopefully land one beers are on me!

Thanks for the feedback Rickmarlin62 - less fuel the better, you're a legend! Thanks for the feedback Hoods, you're a legend!

Thanks for the feedback PaddyT, you're a legend!

Thanks for the feedback scratchie, you're a legend!

Gday all! New to the site and first of i am sure many posts around tips/reports in the area.. after any tips & tricks on how to hunt down a black marlin. I have seen the responses on many other forums and the community here sounds very helpful so thought i'd give it a go! Apologies if this isn't in the correct forum or if this is to long but i want to be as thorough as possible. I have a 4.75 Quinny Top Ender with a 75hp on the back pushes about 30 knots top speed. I have been up to 45km wide (obviously picked the right day) and completely comfortable if the conditions are suited. I do also have outriggers but i have been using rod riggers to push the rods out further. I have been trolling at 6.5-7.5 knots. I have the short corner on the second pressure wave followed by the long corner, long rigger and shotgun on the following pressure waves. Lures troll great, breathe as they should and produce a huge bubble trail.. Gear i am using: - x4 Okuma TG30 2 speeds with 15kg yellow mono all the way through. - x4 Shimano backbone elite 15-24kg non rollered. - Pakula's new 3D printed fish skirts link https://buypakula.com/slimy-pak-40-light-tackle-rat-pack-8kg-to-15kg-16lb-to-30lb-line-class?search=rat pack - Pakula withdoctor hippy with his new x3 slimy flash strips https://buypakula.com/witchdoctor-the-lumo-hippy-1856874474?search=witchdocto & https://buypakula.com/Tow-Rope-Slimy?search=strips - Williamson bird teaser with a few spare small non hooked skirts every 40cm ish off the back as a secondary teaser. - Simrad GO7 which is quite clear and precise with sounding out bait balls and fish around them as well as temp reasonably accurate etc. I am subscribed to Ripcharts and have access but am no means an expert on how to read or piece it all together to well. I have reached out to Ripcharts on more videos and help but they haven't been to helpful and there isn't to many forums out there to assist. I am mainly focusing on Altimetry, currents, sea temps, true colour & chlorophyll charts to try and assist me in finding the best area to work. Charts from last session i had below and where i was roughly fishing: Temp chart area roughly i was roughly 24degrees: Cholorophyll chart area roughly where i was (bit of cloud cover): Altimetry chart area roughly where i was (Have added lightly the current direction as well): Day 1 of trolling: Worked the edge of the temp break in close about 8km off land in roughly 100-250 ft water - not far but plenty of fish caught recently in the Golden Lure comp in this general area. We did mark 1 marlin we believe under a school of pilchards on the surface. The marlin was sitting maybe 15ft deep but did not come up to have a look at the lures nor did we see it in the spread. Was clear as day.. A big bow off to the side of the pillie school.. unless this was a shark. Day2 of trolling: Similar to the above tried to work the edge of the temperature break with the current as best we could & zigzagging through the high concentration of Chlorophyll as per the charts which did lead us to balls of pilchards but could not get any interest from a marlin. We fished both dirty and clear water as per the Ripchards "True colour" chart. FEEDBACK QUESTIONS: - Am i trolling the right direction/speed etc? - Am i in the zone if i can match up the Altimetry, currents, sea temps, true colour & chlorophyll charts as best i can? trying to follow the bait as best i can. - Am i trolling to close to the school of bait? - If these fish aren't taking lures should i be slow trolling a yakka or slimy mack at different depths? ie surface, mid water, bottom etc. Again sorry for the absolute novel, just trying to get some sort of help to land this dream fish of mine! I don't want exact spots as i know the fish move i just need some help piecing what i have learnt so far together so i can land one of these beasts. Catch and release is the goal of course! Thanks all - appreciate anything you willing to share.