Incredible Abrolhos game fish
Geraldton businessman Murray Olden has spent 17 years chasing marlin around the world, but believes fishing at the Abrolhos Islands is like nowhere else.
His devotion to game fishing and love of the Abrolhos led to the establishment of the Abrolhos Island Tag and Release Tournament 14 years ago.
Mr Olden said he wanted to show others about the special and untouched sports fishery on our doorstep.
“Geraldton is one of only about six giant blue marlin fisheries in the world,” he said.
He said no-one knew what to expect at the first tournament, but the size of the blue marlin exceeded everyone’s expectations and no one was geared up enough to handle them.
His boat, Innervisions, a purposebuilt fishing boat, now sports heavier rod and tackle equipment worth $50,000.
The boat is also equipped with a desalination plant, enabling the crew to live on board the vessel for several months, makes regular trips to the Abrolhos Islands.
“Some people say it is 90 per cent boredom and 10 per cent sheer panic,” he said.
“But it’s a challenge and you only get a split second to make a decision. I love the adrenaline.”
Mr Olden’s biggest catch was an 365kg blue marlin off the coast of Vanuatu.
He said he has seen marlin every bit as big as that at the Abrolhos, but lost them, some right at the boat.
“I love the moment when the fish takes the hook and the reel starts to scream. You can lose a 300m line in 10 seconds and risk losing your fish pretty quickly if you’re not ready,” he said.
For the last five years blue marlin have eluded fishermen at the Tag and Release Tournament, but Mr Olden is confident they will be back on the bite again this year.
He said cooler water temperatures had kept numbers lean in the last seven to eight years and tuna long line fishing had taken a lot of the marlin’s food chain.
With a current water temperature around 27 degrees and a large volume of bait, the conditions are perfect for the upcoming tournament.
“The fishery has finally recovered with less pressure from commercial fishing,” he said.
“After three trips in the past three weeks we have raised more than 17 marlin.
“There has never been a 1000 lb blue marlin caught on rod and reel and weighed in Australia. A catch like that would put the Abrolhos on the map,” he said.
The Halco Lures Abrolhos Island Tag and Release Tournament will be held between April 8 and 14 at the Wallabi Group.
For more information contact Noel McCall at noelgayle@westnet.com.au or murray@comfortstyle.com.au.
JESSICA MILLWARD
