The End Game

When a big game fish is being wired, every move counts. This is when a lot of fish are lost, and it’s easy to make a mistake that means the difference between a 100-pound-plus fish in the boat, and lost opportunity. You want to make sure your end game ends in a victory? Then remember these tips, from professional mates and wiremen.

1. Never coil the line in your hand, because that’s just asking for a tangle if the fish runs and you have to dump the line. Instead, as you bring it in drop it back over the side of the boat. Some wiremen like to drop it onto the deck, but that’s also risky because you could get your feet tangled in it, or step on it by accident.
   
   
2. Never take more than one wrap of the leader around your hand. Multiple wraps are tough to dump when there’s a lot of tension on the line, and if you can’t drop it and a large pelagic makes a run, it could yank you over the side. (That’s how Capt. Billy Verbanas, well-known captain of the Reel-istic, died, with a 300 to 400 pound mako shark on the line).
   
   
3. Always wear gloves when leadering a large fish. Even heavy mono can cut into your skin, when enough pressure is applied. And if you have a swivel or crimp between you and the fish, your hands need protection even more—if it flies across your unprotected fingers or palm under tension, it can do a lot of damage.
   
   
4. Bend your knees and maintain a low center of gravity. That makes it easier to maintain your balance, during the tug-of-war.
   
   
5. When a billfish is on the line, keep your hands as low as possible and make sure the angle of the line is pulling the billfish upwards as little as possible. You don’t want to encourage it to jump, especially in the final moments when it’s close enough to the boat to injure someone.

BONUS TIP: Always communicate with the gaffman (or tagman) and the angler. Let them know which way the fish is moving, if you think you’re going to have to dump the leader, etcetera. Remember that often you’ll be blocking the view of other people in the cockpit, so they need you to let them know what’s going on.