Visions of Granders: Kona Marlin Fishing

Kona, Hawaii, has long been one of the world’s most storied marlin fishing destinations. We join Capt. Chris Donato and Joe Byrum aboard Benchmark, a beautifully restored 37-foot Merritt, as they chase blues and other pelagic species in the flat-calm waters off Kona.
In this introduction to the Visions of Granders series, Donato and Byrum offer short introductions of themselves as well as share their thoughts on what it’s like to fish close to shore for some of the largest blue marlin on the planet, and also what it takes to pick up the pace when the action slows down.

[@jennystilley7900]

Well done, guys!!! Can’t wait for the next episode.

[@sarahlenamurf]

Nicely put together. I especially liked all the camera switches during hook-up to release swimming away was super freaking awesome.

[@ShakaFishing]

Sick video man! Looked like a mean trip.

[@TheTikiTwo]

Absolutely awesome ! Great video, great music.I'm coming to Kona !

[@sarahchamba5983]

Looking forward to more episodes!

[@jordythebassist]

Of course the Tantrum raised the fish. Nick makes awesome lures!

[@ponotsukiyama6020]

Oh yeah who sing that song at the end nice catch and release!

[@01986]

Nicely done. Would love the short run till lines in vs. the Gulf of Mexico

[@karenfyhr2363]

That looks like Kelly Everett's 37 Merritt Northern Lights, which I chartered for the entire day in 1987. It was shortly after Kelly caught his world record 1100+ pound Marlin on 30lb test. And the boat had recently been completely restored to Immaculate condition.
I caught my Blue Marlin aboard it on the same day as the Ironman competition, unfortunately my Marlin charged the boat and put a large gouge into the transom and broke off the tip of its bill in the process, needless to say Kelly was very upset , not at me , but just the fact that it happened and had to get the damage repaired immediately...
Back when I chartered it, the outside hull was painted a beautiful shade of pale yellow. Years after when I heard Kelly sold Northern Lights, the new owner painted it all white, which I didn't care for. If I remember correctly it was made in 1963

[@brianleonard890]

Awesome! I wonder if that's my buddy George's old boat? Was the friendship out if Virginia beach for a while. He said it went to Samoa after he sold it.

[@ryanb3835]

Nothing like that strike

[@roysokolowski7234]

The marlin at the end likely died. More time should have been spent reviving it if you wanted to give it even a slight chance of surviving.