American angler lands black marlin off Shelly Beach
A couple from the USA travelled some 12 900km to catch a black marlin off Shelly Beach recently.
Catching a good size black marlin requires heavy-duty tackle, strength, and a skilled crew.
Dion Melancon from West Palm Beach, Florida, USA landed an impressive 160kg black marlin off Shelly Beach Ski Boat Bay on June 18.
The thrilling battle took him one hour and 10 minutes.
Dion, an avid fisherman travelled with his partner Nicole Higson, who is formerly from the South Coast.
The couple booked the fishing trip with agent Lettie Koekemoer from Sensational Charters and were taken out on Sensational Veruna, with skipper Lennie Mitchell and deckhand John Lushaba.
The black marlin is capable of explosive runs and aerial acrobatics.
According to Lettie, Dion used troll cona fishing tackle which is used to land marlin. “The conditions were excellent on the day. It was also Lennie’s first black marlin as a captain of the charter.”
In a review Nicole praised the fishing charter: “Lettie was friendly and gave us the information that we needed to book the charter. Lennie was an amazing captain with launching and beaching the boat. He was always making sure we were safe and having a great time out. John and Lenny are very experienced in offshore fishing. We are excited to come back and charter with them again on our next visit.”
The couple left for home on June 21.
The last black marlin caught off Shelly Beach Ski Boat Bay was in 2024.
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