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Fast Action and Big Blues
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If you think the days of traveling to faraway lands and finding monster billfish are only stories in history, then you need to join us on the next IGFA Expedition. The inaugural IGFA Expedition Series – Tropic Star Lodge was met with calm seas and a once in a lifetime blue marlin bite. Over three days of fishing, the four boats tagged and released 27 blue marlin, 6 pacific sails and several tuna. This year’s Expedition is proof positive that legendary fishing grounds still exist.
The numbers were impressive, but the stories behind the fishing were just as impressive. On day one, Expedition Member Rick Miller III, fishing with his dad Rick Miller, Jr., set out with Expedition Leader Raleigh Werking to release his first pacific blue within moments of deploying baits. Rick went on to catch four more blues on days two and three.
Expedition Member Mark Hoffman traded the Manhattan skyline for the jungle mountain vista that marks the coast of Piñas Bay. IGFA Hall of Fame Inductee and Expedition Member Mark Sosin lead Mark to his first pacific blue. Mark considers himself a “lucky angler.” Whether it was luck or location can be debated, but the fact that he ended up with 4 blues, 1 sailfish and a bull shark estimated over 300lbs is an incredible feat.
Jeff Storm Harkavy, IGFA Campaign for Game Fish Conservation Chair and Expedition Member had a superb three days on the water. Jeff was almost spooled and saw the shining metal spindle of his 50 wide while fighting a marlin. He worked hard and over the course of the battle gained back all of the line to tag and release an estimated 450lbs blue marlin.
For all but two of our members, it was their first time releasing a Pacific Blue Marlin. However, big game fishing has been a lifelong pursuit for anglers Gerald Richmond and Bill Crozier. Jerry released blues on days one and two, but it was day three that really shined. Fishing with Expedition leader Karl Anderson, Jerry’s boat released 5 blues!
The term “trip of a lifetime” is often used, but seldom true. For Expedition Member Bill Crozier (a.k.a. “Mr. Bill”) it truly was the trip of a lifetime. “Mr. Bill” hails from Northern California, he has fished for big game for many years and he is a regular at Tropic Star Lodge. Mr. Bill is an 86 years young titan and he has traveled the globe in search of a marlin over 500lbs. With the help of Expedition leaders Karl Anderson and Raleigh Werking, Rob Kramer and Expedition fishing partner Jeff Storm Harkavy, he realized his lifelong dream with not one but two blues estimated over 600lbs. His amazing life stories and laughter made the evening cocktail hour a real howl.
It was truly an amazing adventure. Tropic Star Lodge is a very special place and the staff is wonderful. The accommodations are as fine as any five star resort, which is an amazing feat considering the nearest road is over 150 miles from the lodge. IGFA would like thank Terri & Mike Andrews and the staff of Tropic Star for their hospitality.
Do you want to experience a true fishing expedition in a land where giants roam the seas? If so, join us next year for the IGFA Expedition – Tropic Star. For more information contact Eric Combast at 954-924-4325 or email ecombast@igfa.org. To view photos from the trip, please visit www.igfa.org.
Click on the images to enlarge
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IGFA Expedition Member Jerry Richmond and Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee Mark Sosin. |
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Mark Hoffman catches a huge Pacific Blue Marlin. |
IGFA Expedition Tropic Star member Rick Miller III catching his 1st Pacific Blue Marlin |
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