On TV the other day.

Trend Barta was Black Marlin Fishing down south. Good detail on his 14 wt fly rod & Rig. Fly was a tube style without the tube, rigged to slide on the 100 # shock tippet. Double hooked. Then it went to a IGFA class tippet then to some braid. Finished with a butt section that had a foot of Orange braid before loop to loop to the fly line. He set the drag on the fly reel at 2 lbs so the fish could not break off on strike.

They trolled and teased up a big Black. Trend pitched the fly out 30 feet or so and the Marlin took it. Next part amazed me. He stuck the fish then the Capt backed down fast, Barta reeled like crazy all 30 feet when the Orange braid was inside the tip top he broke the fish off. Whole thing lasted about 30 seconds. They said it was a legal IGFA catch and release because the leader was inside the rods guides. Thats why they use Orange they can see the leader.

I am sure all of this fits IGFA rules, but would you fly to Central America to pitch a bait crank 30 feet and break the fish off ? No doubt the Captian has it all down pat, but the sport who paid the bill did not get much out of the experence. My opinion is Capt Trend pulled off a stunt, that's all. It's not fly fishing.

Boats