4:45 am can’t come soon enough when you’re heading out to sea with recent “Band the Billfish” tournament winner and Fathom pro-staffer Captain Shane Brafford of the Carolina Time in Morehead City. Along for the ride was world renowned photo artist, Marc Montocchio, that not only fishes for deep water trophies that win tournaments and decorate walls, he is fishing for fine art and the endless pursuit of the next cover shot.
No sooner than 6:00 am, we are heading through the Oregon Inlet crack just in time to watch the sun rise over another beautiful day on the Carolina coast. As we sneak through the crack and head for blue water, Capt. Shane leads us to our first spot to pre-fish for the Pirate’s Cove Big Game Tournament opening this week in Manteo, NC.
Just minutes after lines out, Capt. Shane sweeps through a large bait ball only to find out it was simply a teaser meant to prepare us for the White Marlin soon upon us. After about 45 minutes of trolling, we raised our first white in the spread. In less than 10 minutes, this 65 pounder was pulled in by Dylan Jeffery’s of Island Tackle in Carolina Beach. Dylan’s first white flew through the spread short striking the bridge pole, only to hit the shot gun to be hooked up on a small Fathom Double 0’ blue and white. Once leaderd and subsequently free spooled, Marc jumps over board with hopes of his own photo catch. After dehooking the fish Marc swims the white back to strength sending it back with a strong kick off.
After welcoming Marc and his camera back on board, we spent the next part of our afternoon listening to his tales of fishing and filming all over the world. Each of us on board felt blessed to be in such an intimate setting taking witness to Marc’s unique adventures with some of the greatest fisherman in the world.
Around 12:30 pm, less than 30 minutes before heading back, we are quickly introduced to our second marlin bite. The White came up hot on a red and white Queen Anne’s Revenge teaser, then dropping back to hook up on a dink bait. Fathom Offshore’s Andy Holcomb picked up the rod and got the 80 plus pounder to the boat no sooner than Marc jumps back in the water with our own Brandon Carter right behind him. As the White is released and heads home, we do the same. All in all, great seas, great crew and two cooperative whites, can’t complain for a quick half day on the Carolina coast.
Be sure to check out Marc Montocchio's amazing underwater photgraphy at www.Occhioinc.com or his 6 page Sailfish spread in the Sept 2010 Marlin Magazine.
