Nick, Mike, and Jodi
Tantrum Crew
From the Helm of TANTRUM – My Grander Story
Yesterday was one of the most special days of my life. After 20 years of chasing this dream, I finally brought a grander Pacific blue marlin—1,039 pounds—to the scales on TANTRUM. It still feels surreal writing those words. Grander marlin are rare, mythical creatures, and to land one is the ultimate life goal for a big-game captain like me.
We had the Landrum family from Hobbs, New Mexico onboard—first-time anglers, all of them. The day started strong with a release of a spirited little blue marlin. Not long after, we pushed out to about 500 fathoms off Keahole Point. I marked a couple of good fish on sonar, so I eased the boat over. Summer, my crew for the day, suddenly shouted “short bait!” after spotting a bill behind the XL Plunger. By the time I looked, nothing was there. A moment later, the clip popped, the line came off the spool at a lazy pace, and honestly, I figured it was just a little rat.
We stayed patient, bumping drag here and there, until the fish finally jumped. What I saw had me stunned—it looked around 800. Still, we hadn’t even set the gaffs down. When it jumped again, this time right near Kevin Nakamaru’s Northern Lights, the calls started pouring in. I knew then—we had to take this one seriously.
The fight lasted an hour and ten minutes. Chuck, one of the Landrums, got the trial by fire of a lifetime. First marlin ever, and he’s strapped into a giant with 65 pounds of drag in low gear. For most of the battle, we never had more than 150 yards of line out, often just the short rigger mark showing on the reel classic charter fishing in Kona. It was the most stubborn fish I’ve ever driven on—every angle change, every trick I’ve learned over the years, this marlin countered. It stayed alive, black-backing, weaving back and forth. Aggravating doesn’t even begin to describe it. But Chuck hung tough, and eventually, Summer got his hands on the leader.
The fish tried every last move, but we managed to pop her head up on the port side. I sprinted down, sank a couple of gaffs, got the meat hook in, and with some help from the Landrum family, we slid her through the door. Tape read 148” short length, 78” girth at the shoulder, 76” mid-body, tapering to a skinny tail—almost more black marlin-shaped than blue.
We gave my family time to get down to the harbor and finally pulled in around 11:00 a.m. Laura Dowsett and Rob McGuckin were waiting, and after some wrestling, we got her on the scales—1,038 pounds. Rob suggested re-weighing on the tournament scales for accuracy, and she settled in at 1,039. Goal achieved. She was long and skinny, no eggs, no food in her stomach, but she gave me what I’d been chasing for two decades: four digits.
The otoliths, dorsal spine, and ovaries are headed for research, which makes me proud—this fish will contribute to science, too.
I can’t thank enough people. My incredible family, who’ve supported every sacrifice. The captains and mentors who taught me. Mike and Jodi, for believing in my vision for TANTRUM. Our clients, who trust us with their days on the water. Summer, who did a fantastic job that day. And Lee Findley, my right-hand man—wish you’d been there, mate, but you’re every bit part of this. We’ll get one together soon.
Thanks also to everyone who came to the weigh-in, and especially to Teddy Hoogs for capturing it all on camera. I’m overwhelmed by the calls, texts, and messages.
This was the day I’ve been chasing for 20 years. And I’ll never forget it. This makes me even more excited than ever to share our great fishery with other people. We have some great dates available. Book Now!
—Nick Durham
Captain, TANTRUM Sportfishing
