'Mulloway'
Another Blue on the Dog?

Saturday January 25th saw Botany Bay Game Fishing Club boat 'Mulloway' skippered by Tony Iacoviello and crewed by regulars Goodie Iacoviello, Darren George, Dave Korpar, Paul Humphreys and first timers John Giallourakis and 'Darren Dunn the POM' (drinks warm beer) head wide for the second time this year in her search for big blue marlin.

'Mulloway' departed the St. George Motor Boat Club at 5.30am to reach the wide fishing ground before the turn of the tide. By the start of fishing at 7.30am 'Mulloway' was east of Browns Mountain in 1800 fathoms.

The water was cobalt blue and 24.6 degrees C. Several birds scouted and searched the area as the turn of the tide approached. Trolling her usual pattern of four Hawaiian lures 'Mulloway' took her first shot at 7.40am from a (absolutely no question about it!) good blue marlin on the 'Big Dog' that was running like a possessed dingo from the short rigger.

First time game fisherman John Giallourakis fought the fish confidently and had it subdued boat-side by 8.00am. A job well done! The fish was then quickly boated, carefully measured, its weight estimated and the capture details relayed to Tournament Base.

A respectable 160kg Blue Marlin and first game fish capture for John Giallourakis was on the deck with a pillow under its head and covered with a wet blanket. The crew was happy, the fish looked comfortable, what a great start to the Tournament for 'Mulloway'.

After re-rigging the 'Dog' and resetting the pattern and with baitfish busting the surface 'Mulloway' headed out towards the seamount. Together with several other gun marlin boats including 'Marquis', 'Kanahoee', 'Spindrift' and 'Sea Star', 'Mulloway' worked the area to the north of the seamount in ideal conditions.

An hour later the 'Dog' bounding along on the short rigger with his tongue hanging out, got slammed.

This fish ripped the ocean wide open, thrashing it white with awesome speed and strength while the 'Mulloway' crew scrambled to clear the deck for angler Goodie Iacoviello. Ten minutes into the fight the big fish was still on the surface frantically thrashing its head from side to side.

The 'Mulloway' crew knowing this was the opportunity they needed to complete the capture charged back to intercept the fish, but instead suffered the defeat of having the 'Dog' thrown back at them. This big fish, which was the biggest blue marlin 'Mulloway' had encountered for some time, was free.

A close inspection of the 'Dog' during the re-rigging process revealed both 12/0 hook points had rolled over under stress. 'Mulloway' fished on throughout the afternoon without experiencing any further luck of either the good or bad varieties, but of course the day did not end with the fishing.

'Mulloway's return to the St. George Motor Boat Club at 6.30pm became an experience the crew will not forget easily. Their 160kg Blue Marlin when lifted for the official weigh-in mysteriously took on the appearance of a big Striped Marlin weighing 127.5kgs.

This was definitely one of those "You can't help bad luck!" - 'Jay-Ah' moments! For 'Mulloway's big Striped was good enough to take out the trophy for Heaviest Marlin of the 2003 Bill Heyward Memorial Tournament.

Congratulations 'Mulloway'!!!