The team is now two weeks into their 37 day trip at Ascension Island. Fishing has been a challenge for the team as a new obstacle arises. Sharks, and lots of them. After speaking with some local fisherman the team is informed that five years prior the shark population at the Island dramatically increased. So much that the British government no longer allows their military personnel on the island to swim in the water. The team is also told that this is the worst weather year the islanders have seen in a long time. With forecasts calling for 15 - 25knts of wind everyday.
The boys have their work cut out for them on their small 33 foot L&H gameboat. With 27 consecutive days of fishing this small rock in the middle of the Atlantic. It doesn’t take long for the guys to realize just how bad the shark problem is. Losing multiple lures and tons of hook rigs over the course of the next two weeks. Losing this much gear wasn’t something the team was entirely prepared for.
Any time a game fish is hooked the entire team must reel in all four fishing set ups before the sharks pile on. Several shark frenzies erupt behind the transom of the boat, 50+ sharks strong. The Team opts to fish in deeper water. Where the sharks are less prevalent. Even if the team were to hook the fish of a lifetime in the shallows, they would never be able to get it past the thousands of sharks that occupy the waters inside of 1000 feet.
The boys are able to pick away at the Marlin. Averaging a little less than 1 a day. The Marlin at the island eat poorly. Resulting in a low hook up ratio, the worst they have ever experienced. All the fish seem relatively small, averaging 200-400 pounds. It isn’t until one of the last days of this segment, that they hook the fish they’ve come here for. A fish that pulls off 600 yards of line in its first run.
Tune in to check out part two of our 3 part Fishing Adventure at Ascension Island.
