A GROUP of anglers out of Bermagui have taken it upon themselves to break the world record of catching a marlin on very light 6-kilo fishing line.
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They went out on game boat “The Big Jock” last Thursday and had two cracks at the record, just missing out both times.
The mission began following reports earlier in the week of good numbers of marlin on bait balls at the Tuross Canyons.
The technique is apparently to get onto the marlin on the bait balls, get the hook up and drive the boat onto it before the big fish has too much time to panic and swim away.
But on Thursday the boys could not find the bait balls and so trolled a teaser to get a marlin up.
They then switch-baited, casting out a live mackerel and hooked up to the first fish.
Andy Caves said he fought the first fish estimated to be around 100kg for about two hours managing to get it on the leader before it broke the line.
The second fish, even bigger and a definite potential Australian record at 150kg, pulled the hooks on the leader moments before the gaff could be lowered.
The world record for a marlin on 6-kilo equivalent line is 168kg.
The boys have not been discouraged by the couple of near misses and hope to get out again when the marlin are around in good numbers to have another crack at it.
