Some years are simply ordinary, with good and bad things happening, and nothing spectacular occurs to have you rushing to write home about. But 2013 was not one of those years for the anglers of The Seventh Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. This one was a truly bumper year when Thirty-eight boats took part and no fewer than thirty-nine malin were caught and released.
I would love to share all the stories of those who wrestled with the mighty giants of the ocean, but I was not involved in TOMT in those early days. However, James Taylor, a crew member of Gwaza skippered by Andrew van Zyl, has sent me the tale of how Gwaza won the day! This story also appeared in Ski-boat magazine that year.
Gwaza’s formula for effective marlin catching – James Taylor shares the formula: Gentle ladies and generally rather vrot fisher-men. As a loyal member of the crew of the good boat Gwaza, I am honoured to address you on this auspicious occasion.
On Gwaza, the 1st day was one of distraction, confusion and conflict. The yellowtail were biting on the Alphard Banks. Our skipper was distracted by this and got the radio channels wrong. As a result, the crew was unaware that the circling boats were catching and releasing the first ten marlin of the tournament. The conflict arose on the return journey when the crew reminded the skipper that they had parted with their hard-earned entry fee in order to participate in a marlin tournament, not to catch yellowtail.
On the 2nd day, the unimaginable happened. After being worked on mercilessly by the crew in the clubhouse the night before, the skipper eventually allowed marlin lures to be put out. On arriving back in the harbour at the end of the day, 2 light blue flags were flying from the makeshift mast. Completely against the run of play and all expectations (particularly those of the crew), the good boat Gwaza had been struck by extreme good fortune, catching and releasing 2 marlin (50% of the fish caught on the 2nd day).
Seemingly, fishermen do not believe in good fortune, convinced that those who make successful catches have superior knowledge or tackle – or both. In the clubhouse, the crew were plied with drinks and interrogated for the secrets of Gwaza’s success. In order to keep the free drinks flowing, they frantically tried to remember where they had been and what lures they had been using.
On the 3rd day good fortune turned to a miracle. Another 2 marlin were caught and successfully released (40% of the day’s tally). On the punishing 44 miles back to port, the question – what the hell are we going to tell them in the clubhouse tonight – was raised. At this point, the skipper and loyal crew decided to pull together the Gwaza formula for effective marlin catching.
Rule 1 – Drink till the lights go out. This rule was submitted by Henk van Niekerk after an in-depth experiential investigation. All research was undertaken by the full crew in the clubhouse every night before fishing, ending only when the staff switched off the lights. The impact on the crew’s ability to iron out tensions and engage in creative strategising is evident in the results. This rule does, however, come with a warning. This activity can adversely affect the ability to judge levels in fuel tanks. Henk himself suffered this side-effect, resulting in the boat limping into port on 1 engine on day 3.
Rule 2 – Sleep like the dead. The second rule is submitted by the skipper, Andrew van Zyl after many hours of solitary reflection behind the controls, the inert and gently snoring bodies of his crew littering the deck. Having studied the statistics of the tournament he noted with concern the number of ‘on–offs’ suffered by other boats in the fleet. After detailed analysis of the performance of his crew he incontrovertibly deduced that the problem lies in the area of response time.
Using the fish caught and released by crew member, Andre Vlok, as an example, the skipper offers a short case study to elucidate his findings. So deep and coma-like was Vlok’s recovery sleep that it took 1 minute and 7 seconds of pummelling to get him to open his eyes. He remained in a prone position because he could not hear any evidence of a strike (he had forgotten to engage the ratchet!). To roll over and focus sufficiently to see his line being stripped from his silent reel took another 47 seconds. Struggling slowly to his feet, he confidently announced that he was not a “poepol” and knew when a bucket had been tied to the end of his line. It was only when the marlin leapt high into the air that Vlok came fully to his senses, grabbing his rod from the holder.
The 3 minutes and 13 seconds taken before starting to play the fish provides sufficient time to set the hook soundly and take a good bit of fight out of the fish. This rule posits that a semi-comatose recovery sleep is the best precaution against over-eager response times and the resulting “on-offs”.
Rule 3 – Practice disciplined disorganisation. Complying with this rule can be a painful and costly process. It is informed by the behavioural psychology background of yours truly, supported by the analytical acumen of Vlok. In this rule, the focus shifts from the role of the angler to the preferences of the fish. This research is based on the most cutting-edge, new scientific field of ‘chaos theory’ (Google if you want to know more).
After a thorough process of eliminating all other reasons for more marlin engaging with Gwaza than with any other boat, one variable presents itself as the determining factor…chaos and disorganisation! It is evident that marlin are not drawn to high levels of organisation and order. A clear preference is displayed for rusted hooks, slightly dysfunctional equipment, regular bird-nesting of lures behind the boat, and a general but rather distinct boat aura from the accumulated detritus of years of snoek and yellowtail fishing.
A paradigm shift is required. Away with those ordered rows of gleaming golden reels. Clearly, the elegance of gently bowed outriggers irritates marlin, and any more than 4 lines simply confuse them. The clinical whiteness of decks smelling of detergent turns out to be a fatal deterrent. To diminish some of the financial pain, we recommend using the eclectic range of occasionally functioning yet reasonably priced equipment carried by pawn shops.
In the spirit of this wonderful tournament, we share with you the benefits of our research. We especially hope the expert marlin fishermen up north might benefit from these previously well-guarded secrets. The loyal crew and the scientific, yet ever enigmatic, skipper of the good boat Gwaza wish you stywe lyne. Remember – keep it good and loose and sommer lekker deurmekaar!”
Last word from the skipper. “Not possessing a suitable reel of his own, James removed an old Penn Senator from its display at my house. He returned with it shiny, oiled and loaded with new line. I gave the strike on my rod to James to catch his first marlin. When the old Penn sprang to life – sounding like a Harley-Davidson – it was my turn. Knowing that the star drag tends to overheat and sometimes freeze after a strong run, I had to focus clearly. Fortunately, as a black-powder rifle hunter, I am used to staying calm under pressure, knowing you only have one chance! I got burned a couple of times by the reel but eventually succeeded in getting the 100kg fish next to the boat for a textbook release”.
The next year, 2014, Makaira skippered by Mike Broderick, won the Eighth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament. James wrote an ode to the tournament with a congratulatory note to Team Makaira.
Ode to Two Oceans Marlin Tournament 2014
At sacred point where oceans meet
a tournament of old
not for riches or reward
in spirit of camaraderie
taming marlin – dragons of the sea
and so they came
those gallant knights of rod and reel.
Four days they gather in clubhouse
libations to Auster and Neptune
appeasing gods of wind and sea
blessings for the quest
to put fishing talents to the test
and so they drank
those legless knights of rod and reel.
At last the weather wizards speak
the long awaited call rings out
drink dazed knights board chariots
that hundreds of thirsty horses propel
onto a crazed and windswept hell
and so they jousted
those intrepid knights of rod and reel.
On bucking craft they battled on
trolling aft their gaudy baits
to lure great dragons from the deep
returning with stories of many that came
but in final tally only ten are tamed
and so they fished
those canny knights of rod and reel.
When dance nor drink can still the wind
the tournament is ended
three of the ten and all honour
to them upon whose bow was blazoned
the dragon’s name – Makaira
and so they parted
those undaunted knights of rod and reel.
I extend sincere thanks to James for contributing this story and poem from the tournament’s earlier years. His willingness to share these memories adds depth to this 20th‑year celebration.
Adventuring into Retirement 