We waved our charter goodbye from Lamen Bay on Epi Island and weighed up our options. The calm and beauty of Lamen Bay was attractive after a few days of the rough stuff, but with the sun shining and the Marlin Highway beckoning we chose to push on to Port Vila. A 25 – 30kt breeze on the nose for the 60nm passage to Efate Island caused us periodically to question our decision.



We were rewarded with very fishy looking water once we reached the relative calm off west Efate and we had the lures in the water no more than ten minutes when our efforts were rewarded and our decision vindicated. A nice blue marlin in the 250-300lb range hit the right rigger and battle was joined. He fought well and jumped at the boat but was quickly tagged and released. With only crew on board, the angler takes the photographs and skillful handling by our no 1 deckie, Pete Roots, allowed me to get some good closeups.