Marlin has been billed as the battler of literature and legends. Author Ernest Hemingway, so loved the marlin that he wrote about it. The Old Man and the Sea, one of Hemingway’s most famous works, centers upon Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who struggles with a giant marlin.
In past years, it was a customary “trophy” carcass hung in offices and seen in fishing magazines and executive office-wall photographs. However, that has since change in Costa Rica. Costa Rica was the first country to practice the catch and release program, and other conservation programs, like the banning of billfish meat. And because of this, an angler’s bragging rights have been reduced to nothing but videos or photos. A Costa Rica marlin will rarely be hung on some wall or cut up into steaks. Only on rare occasions will the fish be brought in and that is usually when the fish is dying due to a tail hook up (causing drowning) or the hook has some how damage the fish.
Circle hooks are used in Costa Rica for their catch and release capabilities. After a fish takes the bait, they usually turn away to kill their meal. The circle hook slide back through the fish’s mouth to the jaw corner and then hooks the fish in the mouth. Circle hooks reduce the chance of a deeply hooked fish. Catching the fish by the jaw makes it easier to unhook and release.
Marlin are known for their amazing strength, which is only exceeded by the giant bluefin tuna. Once a marlin is hooked, the fight will be one you will remember for the rest of you days.
