14-Year-Old Lands 421.5-pound Blue Marlin

From left, Allen and Hunter Smith, Dan Shaffer and Rich Lynch with their 421.5-pound blue marlin.
[Photo Credit: Donnell Tate http://www.lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/509457/Desperado-lands-second–largest-marlin–of-the-year.html?nav=21]

Donnell Tate of the Lahaina News in Lahaina Maui, Hawaii has posted a great story about about 14-year-old Hunter Smith landing a 421.5 blue marlin. The fish is the second largest taken this year by the Lahaina fleet. Smith was fishing with his dad Allen Smith and Captains Dan Shaffer and Rich Lynn aboard the Desperado, a custom-built 31′ Bertram.

The Desperado was working the backside ledges off Lanai between the NASA and K-buoys when they hooked up with the fish. According to Tate, Captain Lynn was able to tease the fish in with a blue Lee Aoki bullet lure, but wouldn’t grab the lure. The fish then went after a purple Softhead lure, which it finally hit.

Tate’s story is a great read of a great fishing story, including an appearance of a white tip shark in the middle of the fight with the marlin, so rather than retelling the whole thing here, click over and read Tate’s account.

Congrats to Hunter Smith, his dad Allen and Captains Dan Shaffer and Rich Lynn! That’s a great fish and a great story!