Five miles beyond the ledge, a hard edge formed along the west side of the Gulfstream. The El Pescado fleet deployed baits and began their mission. One fish ate, one did not. Ringleader radioed in the second blue marlin tag and release of the day. This blue one was also a rat in the hundred pound range.
Competitors spread out forty miles along the hard edge, trolling the cobalt blue depths.
Between marlin hits, competitors found plenty of dolphin to provide thrills. Outside Chance 's 47 pound bull dolphin dwarfed the 15 to 20 pound models most anglers boated. Back on the dock, teams discussed the first day's bite. All came up with the same conclusion. The fish were there, but they weren't striking.