Tega Fantasy Slam 2009

Centre rigger and 130lb. bent but rods both bust out of their clips, double hook-up. I radioed Robert “I have two good fish on here”. Robert turned Clueless and headed back towards me. After a short while the fish on the 130lb. rod came off. Barry, still in the fighting chair continued to fight the other fish. As Clueless approached the fish made at least 6 spectacular jumps. “It’s a Black” shouted Robert down the radio. After 40 minutes of hard fighting and some more amazing jumps, Barry got the fish to the side of the boat – a Black Marlin about 110kg. tagged and released. Time 3.45pm.

We were now in a dilemma, do we give up our meal and comfy bed at Peponis and spend another night on the boat to try to catch our final Billfish (Broadbill) for our Fantasy Slam?

A chat with Barry, and Robert insisting we go for it, the decision was made. Clueless headed for Lamu. Tega headed back out to the deep waters of the North Kenya Banks.

We arrived at the Broadbill mark at 6.30pm just before dark, which gave us enough time to muster up a quick meal, which consisted of baked beans, ravioli, a tin of corned beef and bread and butter (not quite the high cuisine my client Barry was expecting).

With our Broadbill lures set and our light sticks rigged, two rods on outriggers and one rod on the down rigger, we were ready for our final Billfish. Just twenty minutes into dark the down rigger went, a Broadbill hooked up. After a short fight the Broadbill was at the side of the boat. Only a small fish, about 15kg., but that was all we needed. Time now 7.35pm FANTASY SLAM IN 10 HOURS 25 MINUTES. Just Amazing.

We slowly made a course for Watamu tagging and releasing another small Broadbill along the way. We arrived at Watamu at first light, 6.20am. It was 23hours 35 minutes since leaving Ziwayu... THE END

Many thanks to:

• My Crew – Sunday and Taboo (well done)
• My Camera Girl – Jennette, for taking some fabulous pictures
• My Client – Barry Milburn (Happy Birthday Barry)

Skipper/Owner of Tega Steve George