For Kavin Austin Blake, there’s nothing like offshore sport fishing. Today, we talk to Kavin Austin Blake about some of his most memorable experiences going after big fish.
Oceans 2003: Tell us about some of your favorite places where you’ve pulled in some big ones…
Kavin Austin Blake: I’ve been lucky enough to fish off the coasts of Nova Scotia, North Carolina, Australia and British Columbia.
Oceans 2003: Aren’t the waters off North Carolina home to some pretty huge fish?
Kavin Austin Blake: Yes, a record Atlantic blue marlin was caught off the coast of Cape Hatteras; that thing weighed in at 1128 pounds!
Oceans 2003: I know that deep-sea fishing obviously isn’t for novices. But isn’t there a lot of modern technology that has come into play with deep-sea fishing?
Kavin Austin Blake: Yes, things like modern fish finders and state-of-the-art navigation systems are pretty common. The tackle is pretty important too.
Oceans 2003: What special kinds of tackle are involved?
Kavin Austin Blake: I use downtide rods, multiplier reels, and lines of 30 to 80 lb test.
Oceans 2003: What are offshore boats like these days?
Kavin Austin Blake: There are a lot of offshore fishing boats that are really tricked-out with a lot of luxury appointments, and things like fighting chairs and flying bridges.
Oceans 2003: They sound pretty specialized.
Kavin Austin Blake: Absolutely. They’re purpose-built vessels designed strictly for offshore and deep-sea fishing. It takes a skilled, experienced skipper to manage one!
Oceans 2003: What kinds of fish have you caught offshore?
Kavin Austin Blake: Oh, everything really. Swordfish, tuna, mahi mahi, marlin, arapaima, sailfish…
Oceans 2003: What is it about fishing for these fish that keeps you coming back?
Kavin Austin Blake: It’s so much more than just the fishing experience itself.
Oceans 2003: Such as…?
Kavin Austin Blake: Travel always rejuvenates me and broadens my horizons, experiencing different locales and scenery, food, music, people, culture…
Oceans 2003: But that can’t be all…
Kavin Austin Blake: No, it’s the serenity of being on the water and waiting for that first tug on your line. The power and size of those fish makes it a pretty unbelievable fight to reel one in.
Oceans 2003: I’ve heard that the Amazon is home to some pretty huge fish as well. Have you every thought about traveling there to fish?
Kavin Austin Blake: Yes, awhile back I read about arapaimas there that ranged up to 12 feet in length. It would be a great experience!
Oceans 2003: What do the big fish offshore bite on?
Kavin Austin Blake: Really, it depends on the fish and the waters. Sometimes live bait, sometimes rigged bait, sometimes an artificial lure. It all depends on how it’s presented.