SWIMMING WITH A MARLIN

Elen Carneiro

Sometimes a fishery without fish can be very annoying. In others, although with fish, the place can be ugly and dirty or we can still have the bad luck of having to live together with a "bore"  in the group. 

For that reason, the choice of the place and of the partner is fundamental. Forgive me the fondest fishermen, but a fishing trip has to have, besides fish, emotion, pleasure, beautiful places, challenges and results. If something goes wrong, only  good company and resignation might save the adventure, besides patience that is very peculiar to fishermen. 

Well then, we spent our vacation in Vitória/State of Espirito Santo (Brazilian coast), enjoying the wonderful people's coexistence, with different experiences - here, the  fights with big fish is a real part of the program. 

Vacations, rest, relaxation, fishery doesn't fit (especially because I work with that) and even more in the sea, where the ship navigates in order to search for the fish,and motor oil smells, that endless seasickness... Onde, in the past, I felt very badly in a trip like this one. But, as nothing is definitive, I saw myself in the boat in company of  anxious fishermen for a new adventure. 

Ocean fishing demands some basic and fundamental cares: to sleep early, light food and physical fitness. In vacations, in the Espírito Santo, of course in the previous night we went out with friends (capixabas), we drank a lot of draft beers and we slept late, but the following morning, we were there, ready to navigate. Rubinho, his son Marcos, some friends and I, counting with Captain Luiz Guilherme's experience, besides the kindness of Polaco (the owner's son). 

Luiz Guilherme, the Captain, was fundamental for my decision of participating in that fishery. After all,  TURISMO PESCAVENTURA  organizes fishing trips to Vitória for ocean fisheries . Feeling myself just like a toursit was nice because I was going to fight with white marlins and other lunker ones that swim in the region of Vitoria. 

We had already gone out to sea, but a little bit late because of the necessary preparations: snacks for all, provisioning and preparation of the boat. We happily proceeded in search of the white marlins, noble and very sporting fish. 

I have to confess that my previous experience was not so exciting. Two years ago, I participated of a fishery in the boat " Renata", of Ângelo Coutinho - I felt myself seasick and we did not catch many  fish.

Now to the action of this trip... suddenly a fish enters and I offered to bring it up. They put on me an appropriate belt to hold the rod and to fight with the fish even better. I felt its strength and weight and I believed it was lunker one, because it took much line. I would not surrender...

Exhausted, I thought of asking for some help, but,  as an independent woman, I sat back and... my arm was hurting, equipment in the limit, etc... I fought with the fish with  determination and when it arrived.. what a  deception: a tuna of 7 kg and 60 cm - perhaps a prototype of so much work that it requested. I coul not believe that fish to be so strong. 

Out to the the blue sea in serch of other challenges.  

One of the advantages of being a woman is the boys' chivalry : after the first jumpt I let  the fish run. This time, nevertheless, I noticed it was the white marlin. I t seemed easier to control that the tuna I had previously caught.

The fact of fighting a beautiful fish in its environment gave me an incentive and a will of  unquestionable courage. After each jump, the fish tests one's strength. The fish wants to get rid rid of that sharp object that dragged it in a direction where it didn't want to go. 

It was a great honor to bring the fish aboard. 

After many jumps, crowned by my screams of pleasure, exclamations, the white marlin arrived and surrendered. After we embarked it in order to remove the fishhook,  we took a lot of pictures. My emotion was complete, with my five senses very much stimulated: touch - the touch, to pass the hand over the body of the fish; smell - the sea air smell and the one of the fish's; palate - the salted water; vision - the photographic scene; hearing - the moto of the boat played Phill Collins  and my heart beating uncontrolled.

What a gift! 

And to think that the best was still to come!!! 

As the fish fought a lot , it got very  tired to the boat. I jumped in the blue water, with  a diving mask and gloves on  and I swam by the fish and made it recover  its strength. I followed it in may directions. 

That emotion cannot be described in simple  words! Steven Spilberg was very clever  producing the film " Sharks ", because, as for me, it is almost impossible to enter in the sea without hearing that music announcing the attack: TAN, TAN, TAN,TAN,TAN....... 

But overcoming that first sensation, I dove in the middle of the ocean with my fish and freed it with my own hands.

Until today, this is the largest pleasure that I have ever felt as a fisherwoman. The proximity with that big fish and the largest interaction ever lived.  It was perfect!! 

Afterwards, I got some tan and picked on my friends because the were not as lucky as I had been. We also caught a DORADO - the fish impressed me with the variation of its colors during the fight. But, poor fellow, it has to be  ignored now because the white marlin took over the whole adventure. I shall write another adventure to tell the big fight with that DORADO.

I could prove the competence and dedication of Captain Luiz Guilherme and the crew of the boat - during the whole day they sought for the best spots and the best baits. The result was a great day of fishing and  leisure.