SPRINGBOK VS ALL BLACK

Juba tackles Bazaruto’s grander marlin

AS the 2023 black marlin season was drawing to a close, two buddies from KwaZulu-Natal, Andre “Juba”Joubert (renowned Springbok fullback of the 1990s) and Ricky Jacobs (quite possibly the South African angler who has fished the waters off Bazaruto more than any other person alive or dead)

It would turn out to be a noteworthy test for Joubert – one that would require strength and stamina and splitsecond decision making,much like the countless rugby matches in which he earned his stripes.

Ricky,Andre and a number of other anglers were fishing Ricky’s annual “Bazaruto Marlin Jol”,a week when

friends and acquaintances come together to target marlin in the tropical waters of the Bazaruto archipelago off Moçambique.It’s an event Ricky has organised for the past 25 years,but this one would be extra special.

On 3 November 2023,the eastern horizon turned a beautiful red as Ricky Jacobs,Andre Joubert and Ricky’s son –Shaun,boarded their 28ft craft, Bazaruto Explorer.Expectations were

high,not only for a great day on the ocean,but also the ardent hope that the day had arrived on which they would get a strike from a large black marlin.

These anglers had fished this event for many years and released a number of these magnificent fish,but so far a really big mama approaching the mystical 1000lb mark had not “played ball” to test the mettle of this accomplished team.

Around mid-morning,while trolling a 5kg bonito in the renowned 65–70 fathom area south-east of Bazaruto lighthouse reef,the “whistle”blew for Andre’s big “test”to begin.

It was Andre’s turn in the chair and, tackled up with 130lb class tackle and a 400lb nylon trace attached to a BKK circle hook,the anticipation was immense.With the big Shimano reel set on 35lb drag,a sudden swirl,a bowed rod and a screaming ratchet indicated the game was about to commence.

Seconds later there was that sickening feeling all anglers experience when the line goes slack.In this instance Andre was left holding a slack rod. However,feeling there was still some drag on the line indicating the live bait had not been lost,he started reeling it in very quickly to reposition it behind the boat.Just then the rod was nearly pulled out of his hand as it jerked forward and the Shimano again started screaming.This time Andre’s spirits rose as he watched line peeling off the reel at an alarming speed.The game was on, with “Juba”attached to a yet-to-be-seen monster of the deep.

With the deck cleared and Ricky taking the helm,the fight settled into the grunt and grind of heavy tackle marlin fishing.

Ricky was convinced it was a good fish even though the marlin never showed itself during the initial strike when it whisked off 100 metres of line, or during the second take when it took a lot more line on its first real run.

Ricky reckoned that,seeing as there was little or no current running southwards,if they could persuade the fish to go north and in towards the shallow water near the sand spit on the north point,there would be less chance of them losing it to a shark.With this tactic in mind,the fight continued as they headed toward the designated area.

The first real sighting of their giant black marlin was some three-and-a-half hours after hookup when the trace was taken.On feeling this additional direct strain,the mighty beast stuck the bulk of its torso out of the water.The big circle hook was clearly seen firmly imbedded in the upper right-hand side of scissors of the beast’s jaw.

Although it was perfectly hooked, while bringing it alongside the starboard side of the craft,the leader wrapped around the marlin’s head.In its attempt to escape,the fish shook its head forward and away from the pressure point,causing it to bang against the boat.

When it gets to this point,all marlin anglers need to make the call as to whether they think a huge fish will go the full 1000lb and they can justify killing it,or if they think it will fall short and could end up weighing 900-odd pounds.

It’s always the angler’s personal decision,and although everyone aboard was convinced that this magnificent fish would tip the scales to at least 970lb,Andre cut the leader almost at the hook and watched his fish of a lifetime glide back into the azure waters off Bazaruto’s northern sand spit point. A true sportsman.

Although he cut the line before many photos could even be taken, Andre later said that he was concerned that the fish would injure itself seriously considering the force with which it was knocking its head against the boat and he didn’t want it to endure any more stress.As it turned and glided off into the deep,Andre Joubert’s dream of releasing his biggest black marlin was realised.

One might well wonder at the thoughts that ran through his head at the time – perhaps recollections that although his last big challenge in 1995 with a bunch of big (All) Blacks was only 80 minutes long,this mighty Black (marlin) had him going for 210 minutes!