STAND AND DELIVER
Text by Capt. Damon Sacco
There was a time, many moon tides ago, when the sport of big game fishing wasnÕt just a sport. It was more like a dareÑa battle against the unknownÑwhen even the saltiest beings on the planet were regularly sent back to the docks with only tales to tell, most of which no one would believe. The odds were stacked so high against the angler that big game fishing was outright dangerous. Tackle was primitive, experimental, and in many cases, outmatched by its adversaries. Sportfishing boats didnÕt really exist. A pair of oars got you to behemoth-size tuna and swordfish almost as fast as a pair of diesels. The curious souls who left the dock, daring to win, always paid the price.Since then mankind has evolved, and so has the sport of big game fishing. Roller guides, graphite blanks, spectra, fluorocarbon, 80 pounds of drag, and shiny 130-pound class outfits that look more like winches for an AmericaÕs Cup vessel. We have definitely stepped things up a notch. Modernized fighting chairs have further stacked the odds in our favor, enabling the angler to sit comfortably and leg press the fish to the boat, while sipping a pina colada if they so choose. Now donÕt get me wrong, IÕve caught several 500-pound plus giant tuna from the chair, and loved every minute of it. But without the right fish on the line, the chair can be about as sporty as a ride in an elevator.Besides, with all our significant tackle advantages and upgrades, just how convenient do we want the sport of big game fishing to be? As Ernest Hemingway once wrote, ÒThe development of big game angling was retarded for many years by inadequate tackle, but is now in danger of being completely ruined as a sport through development of too efficient tackle.Ó This was written over 50 years agoÑyou can only imagine what he would write on the subject if he were around today.Marine biologists say that the quicker the fight, the healthier the fish, and scaling down the size of tackle can be detrimental and even fatal to a big fish during a prolonged battle. I agree. However, we have the technology to enhance the sport of big game fishing, without compromising the strength of tackle, and more importantly, the health of fish. ItÕs about taking a new step in an old direction. IÕm talking about leaving the Lay-Z-Boys and cranes at home, and stepping back into the ring with the fish. And when I say fish, IÕm not just talking about bluegill billfish and tommycod yellowfinÑIÕm talkin' about big tuna and marlin and bringing Ôem to the boat, on your feet!Smaller rods and reels, no chair, angler and fish slugging it out with nothing in between except a safety line. Can it be done successfully by the average sized angler? ItÕs been done, time and time again, and with fish the size of cars. The right tackle can handle it. The real question is, can you? ItÕs definitely not for everyone, but for some, itÕs time to take a stand!ITÕS A STAND-UP WORLD
Big game stand-up fishing came to life in the early 1960Õs. Anglers wanting to step things up a notch employed heavy leather shoulder and upper back harnesses which connected to the reel and to a small belt with a steel gimble. The focus here was using the upper body to fight the fish. As a result, anglers needed a lot of brute strength in their arms and upper back to withstand and counteract the pull of the fish. This method may have separated the men from the boys, but lower back pain was common, and in many cases, excruciating after a long battle. Keeping your back straight was almost impossible. The chair proved to be a lot more of a healthy and practical alternative for anglers that werenÕt built like Lou Forigno. As a result, stand-up fishing for big game remained on the back burner of the sportfishing industry well into the 1980Õs.Then came the worldwide ÒbuzzÓ created by long range tuna boats sailing from San Diego, Cal., in search of trophy-size yellowfin tuna. These vessels were built to accommodate large groups of anglers willing to fish offshore for days, and even weeks at a time in Mexican tuna land. Since all long range sportfishing was done over the rail, with multiple anglers fishing simultaneously, fishermen had to learn how to effectively stand on their own two feet and slug it out with surfboard-size yellowfin, 15 feet above the water line. Chairs werenÕt even a consideration, and most anglers were more than happy to throw away their Òsit and fishÓ tactics, despite the sometimes grueling physical consequences. Stand-up fishing became a serious sport in the West Coast fishing industry, and soon tackle manufacturers were constantly striving to improve equipment for this type of application. It is here where stand-up fishing was revolutionized into a healthy and effective art in the world of big game fishing.NOW IÕM A BELIEVER
It was February of 1997 when I first headed to Panama to fish on the COIBA EXPLORER outfit, now the CORAL STAR, with high hopes in tangling with big marlin and extra large yellowfin tuna. My experience with big marlin was limited. I talked and read about them. I had caught a few whites, stripers, and a bunch of mini sails on stand-up. I had also been to war in the chair with a few marlin and several giant tuna. That was enough to make me a big game addict.So there I was, after two straight days of planes, trains and automobiles, ready to see what PanamaÕs remote Pacific coast had in store. To my surprise, the 28-foot Albemarle which I would be fishing on didnÕt have a chair. I remember on the first day out asking my captain, Chicho Gonzalez, where the 80Õs were, and if there was a leaning post available. He laughed. Our boat was loaded with 50 wide set-ups chock full of 100-pound test line. I was in for a rude awakening.When I saw the first bait hit the water, a bridled 10-pound yellowfin attached to a 400-pound leader, I sat and wondered what the hell was going on. ÒThe yellowfin around here will eat that?Ó I asked. Chicho laughed again. ÒBig ones, and big marlin too,Ó he said with a grin. ÒLast week we got a 700-pound black.Ó I imagined the chairless pain and suffering that must go on in this beautiful place called Hannibal Bank. It just didnÕt seem to make much sense. The big bluefin I had messed with wreaked havoc on 130 outfits, never mind 50Õs, and I was sure that big marlin and 300-pound plus yellowfin were as every bit as tough as big bluefin.I was ready just the same, and eventually after a morning of daydreaming and slow trolling a couple of live baits, an outrigger clip popped, and I baited my first Panamanian billfish. Thirty seconds later amidst a cloud of diesel and barely any skin left on my thumb, I was latched onto a stalky 500-pound class greyhounding blue marlin. The big fish charged passed the boat in the air, dancing across the ocean beside us while line peeled off the reel toward an entirely different direction. I kept the drag on strike, but it didnÕt seem to effect the course of the fish which continued its crazy display of gymnastics off the port bow.I was blown away by the marlinÕs speed and agility, and even more so by the fact that nothing stood between me and this fish except some 100-pound test line! The marlin must have been moving at 20 knots, considering how fast the boat was running. I remember thinking how nice it would be if the fish stayed on top for the rest of the fight. I was hoping it would jump itself out and the battle might be short and sweet. ÒIÕm all set,Ó I remember yelling back to the mate Guan, who had asked me if I wanted the harness. Then the marlin vanished beneath the surface, still dumping dacron at an alarming rate into the deep ocean. I did what I could to keep the rod upright with both arms extended.The fish continued its downward descent for the next few minutes, and we followed in a slow reverse. My mood began to change. ÒMight be a little while my friend,Ó Chicho said as he began putting a Braid harness attached to a Smitty gimble/plate set up around my waist. The plate looked like it had been through a world war and then run over a couple of times, but my back was already starting to ache and my arms were trembling. After some minor adjustment and explaining, the harness was secure around my lower waist and back, attached to the reel from either side. The plate was firmly across my upper thighs, and the rod, which was securely planted inside the plateÕs gimble, looked like an upside down ÒU.Ó I remained in a crouched position, leaning back my entire weight against the fish and wondering what the hell to do next. The spool which had relinquished hundreds of yards of backing, had finally stopped rotating. It was a stand still. The grudge match was on!A few minutes later, pinned to the transom under the hot sun, I witnessed a miracle. Needing to address my stinging eyes which were flooded with sunblock, I began to let go of the rod/ reel, with both hands. It was like letting go of the handle bars on a bike for the very first time. I was able to shake out my arms, and rinse my face off with the hose. I even took a picture of the rod with my camera. I could have played a hand of poker if I wanted. It was too good to be true. My lower body held the rod up, not my arms. In fact, the only use for my arms was to crank and guide line onto the reel. ThatÕs it.I did what I could to keep constant heat on the fish, simply by leaning back and leaving the drag adjustment just above the strike position. Just like chair fishing, I took an inch if I could with the reel in low speed. I caught on to the game quickly, crouching to pull the rod up, and standing to reel in line. Once I caught the rhythm, I was actually able to keep the fish turned towards the boat for extended periods of time, especially after it made a run. I was truly amazed at how effective the harness was. Eventually, I pushed the drag well passed the strike position, knowing the fish was exhausted. My confidence heightened as I coiled inches of line back onto the spool. Roughly 45 minutes after the hook-up, in came the double line, and a tired 12-foot fish shimmered brightly,15 feet down behind the transom. I was a believer!I have since caught several other marlin and tuna over the 400-pound mark on stand-up, including one blue marlin that we estimated at 700 pounds. IÕve also recognized many other stand-up fishing enthusiasts with catches far greater, some with fish over the 1,000-pound mark. ItÕs happening all over the world, folks. It most definitely isnÕt anything new. In fact, every year, more and more giant tuna fishermen in the Northeast are stepping up to the plate. Some of my clients are West Coasters flying all the way across the country to give it a whirl. If youÕre interested in standing up to a giant, thereÕs a very informative Braid Tackle video that was taken onboard the CASTAFARI which captures some great stand-up footage, instruction, and more importantly, a 605-pound tuna caught by Dennis Braid himself. Check out the info section at the end of the article if youÕre interested in picking up a copy. REELS THAT WILL STAND & DELIVER
There are quite a few stand-up fishing tackle manufacturers on the market. In this article, I will discuss only the ones that I am familiar with and would recommend. Keep in mind, in the business of stand-up fishing, it doesnÕt always pay to pay less. After all, your health is at stake.The first thing youÕll need is a good rod and reel combination. Any good reel manufacturer will suffice. I recommend employing at least a two-speed 50 wide set up for fish in excess of 200 pounds. For fish 500 pounds and up, I suggest using a two-speed 80 wide. Keep in mind, if you decide to target mostly big fish, you might want to increase the drag capacity of your reels. For instance, if youÕre targeting giant bluefin tuna, I recommend having the drag on your size 80 reel increased so that it will max out at around 60 pounds. There is a gentlemen located on the West Coast by the name of Cal Sheets who professionally beefs up drag systems for this kind of application. ItÕs a solid investment.Load your reels with mostly spectra backing, as it is small in diameter and tougher than nails. YouÕll be amazed at how much line you can fit onto your reels using spectra backing as opposed to dacron. Dennis Braid showed up to the CASTAFARI with his Penn 80 wide two speeds chock full of 900 yards of Power Pro. Believe me, the line came in handy after a giant dumped nearly 600 yards off one of his reels in just a few seconds. Once you fill your spools with mostly backing, wind on a topshot of monofilament spliced into the spectra. I recommend employing at least a 100-foot section of mono.SHORT STICKS ARE BEST
As far as rods go, I recommend having them custom built if you have the money. A good rod can make stand-up fishing a hell of a lot easier, and in the world of stand-up fishing, easier is better. A good stand-up rod is short, at the most, 5-1/2 feet in length. Shorter rods award the angler with better control, agility, and lifting ability. I prefer rods just under the 5-foot mark, which is pretty much an industry standard for heavy duty stand-up applications. It is imperative that the construction of a stand-up rod has a significant Òparabolic bend,Ó which is a progressive taper of stiffening capacity along the shaft, from the rodÕs tip to the reel seat. The greater the parabolic bend, the greater the lifting effect, which in turn makes things easier for the angler. Good stand-up rods should be stiff at the tip, with very little action. Keep in mind, the first 1/3 of a rod (starting from the tip) should carry the majority of the load and do most of the lifting. But donÕt be fooled, thereÕs a lot more to a rod besides itÕs density. Any good rod builder will tell you, bigger or thicker doesnÕt mean better or stronger. This is a commonly shared misconception in the fishing industry. The structural integrity of a rod is truly measured by its performance under pressure.A good rod should be able to handle drag pressure equal to one third of its pound capacity rating. For instance, if a rod is rated at 100 pounds, it should be able to pull on roughly 35 pounds of drag pressure without Òbottoming out,Ó or bending all the way down to the reel seat. So get out a scale and put a rod to the test if you can, before bottoming out your wallet. You might be surprised at how many Òel cheapoÓ products are available for a ÒgreatÓ price. Judging a rod on physical appearance and how it bends against the floor is useless.If you choose to have your rod(s) custom built, get yourself a good blank to start with. There are a few rod builders out there who truly specialize in stand-up fishing. Some of them, such as Ian Miller and Status, make their blanks from scratch to fit the exact size of the rods being built. Rods constructed from custom-made blanks are as good as it gets, but be prepared to start bidding at around a thousand. Melton International Tackle can accommodate you to a T if youÕre interested in taking this route. Other reputable rod companies, such as Calstar, customize the size of their already made blanks to accommodate the shorter dimensions of stand-up rods by cutting the blanks down. Calstar makes a great product for the money, and IÕm quite familiar with the company from experience. IÕve seen a 4-foot, 10-inch Calstar put the heat on a giant better than IÕve seen most 130 crane outfits. There are plenty of other rod blank manufacturers out there, but I cannot speak first hand about their products.For guides, I recommend using Aftco rollers all the way through. If you have the money, get the ballbearing guides which are the Big Foot series. These things practically turn when the wind blows. A friend of mine introduced them to me a couple of years ago, and I had the opportunity of trying them out on some big yellowfin. TheyÕre more money, but theyÕre well worth it as far as IÕm concerned. Remember, the line you are using is ultra thin, probably spectra, and this creates increased friction. Your rollers need to be rotating constantly when the heat is on. The ballbearing guides, even if theyÕre dirty, wonÕt let you down.Just remember when it comes time to shop, a good rod builder should be able to hook you up with the correct recipe of equipment according to you and your walletÕs taste. In the Northeast, I recommend giving FishermanÕs Outfitter a call. There are also plenty of finished rods for sale in catalogs, many of which are made from Calstar blanks. Cape Fear and Biscayne are a couple of companies I use and have faith in.STRAIGHT BUTTS VS. BENT BUTTS
In stand-up fishing, anglers can employ straight and bent butt rods according to their preferences. Both applications work. I prefer the bent butt rods for a couple of reasons. For starters, a bent butt rod extends off the anglerÕs body at a much greater angle than a straight butt, which in turn allows the angler a lot more lifting room when it comes time to pull up on a fish. Second, a bent butt rod, since its butt is pointed down into the plate, will exert most of the pressure down toward the thigh region. As far as IÕm concerned, this is the strongest and most durable part of the body used to fight a fish on stand-up. Straight butt rods do tend to be a little lighter, and not as restricting to the angler when it comes to moving around the cockpit. You make the choice.HARNESS YOUR ENERGY
As far as stand-up harnesses and plates are concerned, there are a few manufacturers that I am familiar with and would recommend looking into. In the game of stand-up fishing, anglers need all the help they can get, especially when squaring off with big fish. Unfortunately, thereÕs a lot of expensive crap on the market. So do your homework before taking out your credit card.You will, without a doubt, need a good belt/harness set up. A belt and plate alone will not cut the mustard if youÕre planning to mess around with 200-pound plus fish. When it comes to playing tug-of-war with big game species, most anglers do not have nearly what it takes to rely on just strength alone. We need leverage, and this comes with the help of a harness. A good harness will provide solid support around your entire lower back and buttocks, allowing you to lean back and shift your weight against the pull of the fish. If youÕve ever fished the chair, remember how helpful the bucket harness was? The same principal applies here. You exert pressure on the fish by simply moving your weight away from it.There are three stand-up harnesses in particular that I have used successfully on big fish. My favorite is the Power Play harness made by Braid Tackle. The Power Play consists of two padded supports, one that wraps around the lower back and the other around the buttocks. The entire harness is reinforced by heavy duty nylon straps around its exterior. The top section securely fastens around your waist like an adjustable belt, and the lower section attaches to the reel via two nylon drop straps on either side. The distance between these two padded sections is velcro adjustable to accommodate your size. This is a rugged piece of equipment. The end result is a whole lot of support, without a whole lot of hassle.Another decent harness is the Ocean Tackle Research OTR belt, which is basically a rock climbing outfit turned into a stand-up harness. The OTR is more like a one piece sling seat that you step into and then fasten to the rod. Its support is similar to that of the Power Play, but it doesnÕt contain nearly as much padding. It does provide increased support around the kidney area which helps with balance and comfort. Once again, this harness is also supported by nylon straps around its exterior, and like the Power Play, fastens to the reel from the lower section. One thing to keep in mind is the OTR harness is a bit of a project to put on, especially if youÕre trying to do it in a hurry.The third product that IÕve used personally is the Long Ranger Harness made by Mate Saver. This harness is very similar to the Power Play harness, having two padded support sections that cover the waist and buttocks. However, the Long Ranger connects to the reel from both the lower and upper padded sections on either sides via nylon drop straps. Though a bit smaller and lighter in weight, the Long Ranger is made to handle big game applications, and is easy to use.There is the Spider Harness made by Smitty Tackle on the market as well. It is much smaller and lighter in weight than these other products, but its construction seems solid. It consists of a small belt support section that wraps just around just the buttock area, connecting to the reel on either side. Although I have never used this product, from what I hear, itÕs effective, comfortable and easy to use.STEP UP TO THE PLATE
Plates, listed in most tackle catalogs as Òfighting belts,Ó are another necessity when it comes to big game stand-up fishing. After all, a plate is truly what connects the angler to the rod. Most good plates are built out of metal or heavy duty plastic. They have to be somewhat flexible and able to withstand the intense pressure that is exerted down through the rod. A good plate should also be wide enough to cover the entire frontal thigh section of the angler. This will ensure rod pressure is evenly displaced across this region. Plates should have ample padding on them so they donÕt irritate or dig into the anglerÕs legs. This padding is usually made up of foam material, and may have to be replaced after extended use.The placement of the plate is critical. All good stand-up harnesses have adjustable Òdrop strapsÓ on either side that simply clip onto the upper corners of the plate, allowing it to be raised and lowered accordingly. The plate should be positioned just above the knees and below the crotch area. If it is placed too high, the angler will loose leverage. If it is placed too low, the plate will restrict the anglers ability to move about the cockpit if necessary.Plates can be used with or without a gimble attached. Some are made with a rotating gimble, and others incorporate a stationary metal pin which the butt of the rod fits onto. Both applications work.Three of the tackle companies I previously mentioned while discussing harnesses also manufacturer plates. Fortunately, all of these plates can be used universally with any stand-up harness available on the market.I personally favor the Smitty plate for big game applications. These plates are actually curved to accommodate the contour of the anglerÕs legs which makes a big difference in the plateÕs stability. Smitty plates also come in three sizes which can help make things a bit easier when trying to find the right fit. They usually run on the larger side and have plenty of foam padding, which is advantageous when it comes to comfort and support. Unlike most of the other stand-up plates available on the market, Smitty plates are made out of metal, and you can count on them not cracking.The Braid Power Play plate is a heavy duty plastic unit. I have yet to see this model crack under pressure like some of the other products out there. This plate also contains a lot of foam padding for increased comfort and support, and even has a molded plier/cutter holder on its front section. The foam padding on the Power Play is somewhat contoured to fit your legs, and all its hardware is stainless.The P.A.D. plate made by Mate Saver is a plastic plate available in two sizes. It is similar to the Power Play, but is lighter in weight and contains a lot less foam padding. However, the non-skid foam used on the inside of this product is a nice touch, and does help to keep the plate from sliding around the thigh region. This product is a great choice for big yellowfin, but might be a little small for tackling fish over 300 pounds.ROUNDING OUT THE LIST OF STAND-UP GEAR
Gloves are an essential ally when it comes to stand-up. I use three dollar wiring gloves on both hands. Sometimes youÕre on a fish for over an hour, and you donÕt want a blistered hand half way through the fight. Some anglers choose to employ Hypalon Grips on their rods. If you decide to try them out, make sure your hand and fingers fit comfortably around the grips BEFORE they are installed on the rod.A final stand-up item worth mentioning is footwear. Get a pair of shoes made for traction. ThereÕs usually no room for error in this department. In fact, your shoes are truly the only thing holding you in place! Construction-style knee pads are helpful as well, as they will allow you to painlessly press your knees against the side of the boat to help wedge yourself in to attain better leverage. If itÕs rough, it wonÕt hurt to attach your reel to the boat via a a safety line. Attaching yourself to the boat could be a potentially dangerous proposition if the line tangles or catches onto something.ITÕS TIME TO TAKE A STAND
Once you build an arsenal of stand-up tackle to meet your needs, the next step is knowing how to use it correctly and effectively. All you truly need is a big fish to learn what works and what doesnÕt, though itÕs best not to learn from a fish. People do get hurt and take involuntary swims, so itÕs important to get a handle on things ahead of time.Once again, the bottom line is leverage. To effectively do battle on stand-up gear, anglers need to use their weight against the fish. The more leverage the angler maintains, the less energy the angler will burn. Therefore it is essential to sustain your balance by crouching back, which will in turn apply pressure on the fish. As you shift your weight backwards, the harness, which is around your waist and buttocks, will move accordingly. Since the harness is attached to the reel from either side, the rod will naturally pull upwards with this backward sitting motion of your body. In other words, you sit back, and the rod pulls up. ItÕs a nice easy equation. Your lower body and harness do all the work.After leaning back and pulling the rod up, the next step is to stand, ease the rod back down, and reel up all of the line that you can. As soon as you canÕt reel anymore, simply lean back again, shifting your weight against the pull of the fish, and starting the process over. You crouch to pull, and you stand to reel. You may only get a 1/2 rotation on the reel sometimes, especially if youÕre straight Òup and downÓ with a fish. ThatÕs fine. In this instance, it pays to have a reel with a low speed, which allows the angler to crank rotations on the reel with less resistance. As long as youÕre making headway, even an inch of line at a time, youÕre winning the battle. If youÕre doing it correctly, your body wonÕt tire, and believe me, the fish will. Eventually, you will develop a constant rhythm of sitting and standing, which means youÕre getting the process down.Maintaining the correct posture is critical if you want to remain healthy in the game of stand-up. When applying pressure on a fish, it is important to always keep your back straight and your knees bent. Even when you lean back to lift the rod and exert heat on the fish; your back should always stay straight. Your legs and thighs, for the most part, should remain stationary while your hips pivot your upper body. Avoid straightening your legs while exerting pressure on a fish, as this will severely hamper your balance, and may result in your demise! For instance, if a fish runs at the boat, be careful not to lean too far forward trying to redirect the rod. Remember, it is your weight that will keep you from following the fishÑnothing else. If you lose your balance or youÕre in trouble, you can always back off the drag a little with your thumb pressed firmly on the spool. This should only be done in case of emergency.LOOK MA, NO HANDS!
You will never need your arms to lift the rod. Some anglers feel more comfortable believing that it helps, but it is totally unnecessary. In fact, your left hand should be placed on the top of the reel guiding line evenly onto the spool between your fingers. Your right hand should be simply used to reel. Letting go once in a while with both hands is not an issue. I actually recommend it, as it allows the angler to have a drink, give the hands a break, clean sunglass lenses, etc. Again, never forget to lean back while doing this!If you can choose your placement in the cockpit to fight a fish, pick the corner with the most room. A corner will assist you in bracing yourself and securing your footing. It is also an advantageous spot to help keep a fish away from the boat. If you need to follow a big tuna that makes a sudden dash across the transom, and a green healthy fish usually will, donÕt be afraid to move if you have to. It doesnÕt matter how big a fish is. Keep in mind, the pressure exerted on your body is determined by the drag setting, not the fish. This is a common misconception. Being able to move is an enormous advantage for the angler. Use it. Sometimes a good captain can move the boat better than you can move yourself. So donÕt be afraid to yell up a few orders every now and then, unless IÕm at the wheel, of course.I recommend having a mate beside you at all times while fighting a big fish on stand-up, just in case a fish gets too close for comfort and you need someone to help keep the line from hitting the transom. Remember, most stand-up rods are extremely short, and youÕll need all the help you can get once the fish gets close. It doesnÕt hurt to have someone next to you in case something goes drastically wrong either.Not to sound barbaric, but careless anglers have been beaten up badly in this sport, and there have been several people pulled overboard. So itÕs important for you to familiarize yourself with your gear and the way it goes on and OFF your body. Make sure and use your best judgement before stepping up to the plate. If you have a back or heart condition, itÕs probably best to let someone else have a turn for the time being.Stand-up fishing is a truly remarkable experience. As far as IÕm concerned, itÕs the best exercise a man can get. Though I will warn you, itÕs addictive. Once you stand-up, you might never sit back down. Just think of all the room youÕll have in the cockpit without the chair! If it sounds intriguing, and you donÕt have a boat, the CASTAFARI is rigged and waiting. Good luck, and maybe weÕll see each other out on the water.