For the man who has everything!

widgeon13 · 10-04-2008, 03:47 PM

I have a blue marlin that needs a home. I caught this fish while fishing with a good friend who skippers a sport fishing boat out of Jupiter, Florida. My home in upstate NY just has no place for this monster to be displayed or even stored. My first question would be: Is there any market for something like this? It would not do well being shipped. If I can find a home for it, most likely the new owner would have to come with a suitable vehicle for transport. The fish is 141" long, when caught in 1984, it was 447# and took me 70 minutes to land. It is a fiberglass mount and weighs approx 50# on the wall. It was written up in the local salt water fishing magazine and I have the article and photo of the captain and mate along with myself and Big Blue.

I am prepared to answer any reasonable questions regarding the mount. I hate to part with it but had I known how big it was when I saw it jumping 250 yards off the transom of the boat, I most likely would not have made the decision that I made.

I'm open to all logical ideas and I suppose posting it here, I'm leaving myself open to the catch and release audience and associated criticism. I have done a lot of sport fishing over the years and this is the only fish I've ever mounted.

Sale would be an option, donating to a museum or restaurant would be another option. Giving (donating) to a 501- C3 organization would allow for a tax deduction.

Let's have some ideas and please keep the jokes and criticism to a dull roar. Worst case scenario, this will be another chapter in my biography. It is presently located in Danbury, CT and will be there until late October when we close on the sale of the house.

VINMAN · 10-04-2008, 03:53 PM

Beautiful mount! Who did the work, Grays?

That would look great over my bar!

gassy · 10-04-2008, 04:14 PM

That, my friend, is a nice fish. That would look good in a restaurant. Try Craigslist to see if you get any, um, bites.

widgeon13 · 10-04-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Beautiful mount! Who did the work, Grays?

That would look great over my bar!

Well, it's available! It was done by a small shop in Florida, I'm thinking Pompano. I think I still have the receipt but can't put my hands on it right now. It was a great experience. Thanks for the comments.

911pcars · 10-04-2008, 04:24 PM

Is it too late to release?

sherwood

TimT · 10-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Nice fish....

I've caught way to many billfish... That one is a really nice representation of the whole fish

After I caught what I thought would be my ultimate trophy fish (527# Sword off Block Island) Any other that I didn't release I had quarter mounted.. i.e. just the head coming out of the wall at an angle..

I'd ask that we stop pursuing these fish...... have my own reasons..

Maybe you can just modify that mount

TimT · 10-04-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

I most likely would not have made the decision that I made.

Oops.. sorry glanced over that the first time..

Let these magnificent creatures be..

M.D. Holloway · 10-04-2008, 05:43 PM

Is a great fish - shame to part with it. If not in your den / bar maybe a local Applebies? They could even put a pic of you and hang some lures around it! Have it in your own little corner and it would be known as "Widgeon13's Corner - Beers and Fish tales Consumed Daily".

DasBoot · 10-04-2008, 05:54 PM

Wifey said "Not in my new house", right?

LOL.

widgeon13 · 10-05-2008, 03:04 AM

Lubemaster77, Local restaurant might be an option but not too many appropriate places in the Adirondacks, they'd take a snowmobile poster before the marlin. Thanks for the idea.

Actually my wife would like to keep it but just no place for mounting in the house, you need a very high ceiling or cathedral ceiling. We were together as a family when we caught the fish, my son caught the large bonita we used as bait and my wife was there to see all the action. There was plenty of serious action on deck, trying to keep the chair lined up with the fish, backing down on the catch and wondering how to get it on-board. This was serious shlt that afternoon. Great memories!

VINMAN · 10-05-2008, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimT

Nice fish....
I'd ask that we stop pursuing these fish...... have my own reasons..

I with you. I'm all for catch and release of pelagics. If you aint eating it, let it go!

David · David's Garage

It seems like current catch and release policies would make a mount like this more valueable. I'd check around, you might get some serious cash for that mount, at least a few hundred if not more than a thousand.

I'd look around the south for prices and buyers since we're not up to speed on all that enviromental stuff yet

DanielDudley · 10-05-2008, 05:20 AM

More that a thousand is right ...

onlycafe · 10-05-2008, 10:53 AM

it would look terrific in my restaurant.
i would be willing to pick it up.
how many pizzas would you want for it? [an homage to byron.]

widgeon13 · 10-05-2008, 11:37 AM

I'd really like to sell for some cash, that's my preference. If you are really interested or have something to offer send me a PM with some details. Where is the restaurant in central NY?? If it's close enough then I could come and visit her.

I don't want to piss anyone off over this thing but if you can make me a reasonable offer, you might have a fish for the restaurant.

widgeon13 · 10-05-2008, 12:38 PM

Onlycafe, I will be in CT Tuesday if you want more pictures!