12 Months On: The 1,223 lb Black Marlin
A year ago today, a 1,223 lb black marlin came over the side of Shore Thing 58.
On the rod was Daniel “Dezza”, president of Port Hacking Game Fishing Club in Cronulla. At the helm was Captain Daniel “Kleiny” Klein of Pursuit of Giants Game Fishing.
LG’s 50th
The trip was LG’s 50th birthday. Seven days of heavy tackle fishing on the Ribbon Reefs, between Cairns and Lizard Island.
The game boat was Shore Thing 58, a custom 58 ft Assegai. Deckies Riley and Riley worked the cockpit. Shore Thing 115 ran as the mothership. She carried the group, the meals and the fuel, so the 58 could stay on the grounds.
The crew set one rule at the start of the week. Turns on the rod went from oldest to youngest. Everyone caught fish. By the second last day, it was Dezza’s turn.
The bite
It was about midday. Dezza was on the back deck with Johnny Salmon, having a quiet beer and watching the spread. Then a big blue shape came up and engulfed the center bait.
“I was just like, whoa, that is huge. And he’s like, you’re on. I’m like, no way.”
The crew had the other baits in within seconds. Kleiny had the boat going backwards before Dezza was even settled in the chair.
“Meanwhile, in my head, I’m panicking, going, do not stuff this up.”
Dezza has spent plenty of time on the rod out of Port Hacking, a club that has fished out of Cronulla since 1953. Nothing like this.
On the reef, a lot can go wrong. Sharks find a tired fish fast, and a big marlin can break you off at any moment. That day, everything went their way.
Why it matters
“They say your wedding day is the best day of your life. Having kids. But catching a 1,223 lb black marlin is right up there.”
For Dezza, it wasn’t only the fish. It was doing it with his best mates, with a mate as captain, on a mate’s 50th.
“I can’t thank LG enough, and Kleiny and the crew for what they do. They just run a professional operation, and that fish will stay with me forever.”
Watch the full story
Fish the Ribbon Reefs with Shore Thing
The giant black marlin arrive on the Ribbon Reefs each spring. The season runs from September and peaks in November.
Shore Thing 115 runs as a mothership through the season. She works alongside sportfishers like Shore Thing 58 and the Pursuit of Giants crew. Fish all day, then come back to a cabin, a chef and a cold drink.
Now taking enquiries for 2027 and 2028.
