Our fishing has improved dramatically since we started using a fishing rod instead of just tying line to the taffrail. (not to mention these new green rubber squid) We've actually landed only one fish, but have hooked many, the biggest being the marlin that nearly took my elbow off. Well, not really, but it did leave a scar from where the fishing line got wound around my arm. Needless to say, we were caught totally off guard with that one. The next two or three were the ones that got away. Steen saw at least one of them leap from the water, with our lure and all. Then, last evening before dinner just as I was waking from a nap, Steen yelled from the cockpit something like ..."caught one, I need you up here". Half asleep, I go out and watch him pull the line attached to a dorado. We had never seen a dorado and were totally struck by it's beautiful color(s). It looked like a reef fish, vivid almost electric blue with yellow-green fins and tail. ...Long-story short, we had fish for dinner, but I didn't enjoy it; it's just too magnificent of a fish to whack over the head and eat for dinner.

note: Even if you don't drink alcohol, it's good to keep some on board to pour into the fish gills as you bring it on board. Much more pleasant than taking a wench handle to it. I don't think the liquor affects the flavor, but I'm not sure.

Update: Tues: 1630 Steen hooked two more dorados; he had two lines out at once, (probably not a good idea, we later agreed). We saw their beautiful blue and yellow bodies jump from the water. The first one took the lure but the second one Steen reeled in. We would have much preferred hooking something other than a dorado. Steen reeled it in close while I steered the boat into the wind, slowing her down. As soon as I left the helm to get Steen the gaff hook, Radiance turned back onto a beam reach and the dorado line got caught on the wind vane. The beautiful fish got away and I was glad; I really wanted spaghetti for dinner anyway.