One (of many) That Got Away
23 November 2013 | Pacific Ocean en route to Mazatlan
Light southerlies, moderate sea
After a few hours of trolling, a largish Dorado (also called Mahi Mahi) took the lure and took off on a long run. We were trying to get into Mazatlan before dark, so I horsed it in before it was tired. We got him right up to the boat and were astonished at the bright colors, primarily green/gold. Dorado means “Golden” in Spanish. Just as we were about to haul it aboard it dove under the keel and cut the line on the propeller. To be honest, we were kind of happy that it got away. It was too beautiful to kill.
But, fighting with the Dorado, wasted 90 minutes and now were pretty certain to miss our deadline of arriving in Mazatlan before dark.
Later we realized that we had been overly sympathetic to the Dorado, thinking it was too beautiful to kill. The only reason that fish is alive is that it has killed and eaten hundreds of other fish, many just as beautiful. No more fish sympathy! The next fish I hook is going on the barbeque!
We continue to have light to moderate southerly winds, so we are motoring into 4 foot waves.
It’s a Wonderful Life – On Adesso!