Back to Loreto

Yesterday I fiber-glassed the holes beside the companionway, cleaned about one third of the bottom and studied the manual on the solar charger. My plan for today was to finish cleaning the bottom, and get ready to go to immigration in Loreto tomorrow. At around 9:am I decided it would be more prudent to leave for Loreto today. I this way I will be at their door when they open in the morning. After that FM-2 stuff is over I can get what I need at the stores in town and head back.

Carlos takes his weeks vacation next week, so we are going out to the islands to do some sailing and fishing. Speaking of fishing, I put out a Magnum Rapala type lure (big) on the way over. About a mile out I got a hit, and a fish was on for a couple of minutes, while I decreased throttle and put the boat in neutral. As I picked up the rod the fish spit out the lure. The boat was still coasting slowly forward from its momentum and I pulled hard on the rod to make sure it was off. As I reeled up the slack a BIG FISH hit the lure HARD! I set the hook and out of habit I had my thumb on the spool to make sure I got a good set. BIG MISTAKE! The reel started singing as this HUGE FISH took off, stripping line off really, really fast. I now have a huge blister on my thumb where it rested on the spool. Damn, that got hot fast! I had a 60lb leader and 150lb line and I could not turn the fish, and let me tell you, that was a first and I have been fishing since I was about nine. Long story short, He took out about 800 yards of line before he snapped/bit the leader in two. I have no idea what kind of fish it was for sure, but I would lay odds it was a very big Marlin. It acted like one anyway. As usual "THE BIG ONE GOT AWAY". But ya know, I wouldn't have it any other way! Makes me want to GO FISHING!

Here is a photo of the fiberglass repair!

BEFORE

AFTER #I

AFTER #2