Of all the great grander grounds listed here, only Ascension remains largely an unknown, all of its secrets yet to be fully revealed. It was "discovered" by serious big-game interests only three or so years ago. After just one partial season among a handful of sport-fishing boats, the several granders caught (and, except in a few cases, released) captured world attention. But only the serious need apply: The logistics of reaching this remote military outpost remain daunting. (For details on fishing Ascension, see "Jurassic Park for Marlin" in the March 2003 issue of Sport Fishing.) Capt. Trevor Cockle says other world-class skippers such as Jody Whitworth and Roddy Hays agree that the largest marlin they've seen in their careers came during visits to Ascension.
The Odds: During October through February of 2002, Cockle hooked an average of one grander per month. Although he did not fish the island during 2003, he says local boats still reported seeing granders. From his season fishing Ascension, Cockle estimates that one of every 15 to 20 marlin seen during prime months is grander size, and that three boats working the grounds raised 20 or so granders in just a couple of years. "This is an exciting new fishery, and we've only begun to tap its resources," he says. "It's the kind of place where anything can happen any day of the year. When current conditions are favorable, the beast of a lifetime can be seen at Ascension."
Species and Size: All that's grand is blue, with an average from Cockle's first season here probably 600 pounds. One thing all experienced skippers who've fished these waters agree on: For whatever reason (probably an abundance of bait), the big marlin that prowl Ascension are, well, just plain portly. Says Cockle, "These fish are fat!" — a term Matthias Henningen of Atlantic Charter also uses to describe Ascension's marlin. Cockle says that from March through May, an average might be more like 250 pounds. He also emphasizes that these rough estimates are from only one season and made without the perspective that many successive years can offer.
Release: Only a few marlin have been weighed in; most have been released.
Distance to Fish: Prime grounds lie from just 1¼2 to 5 miles from the harbor.
Length of Prime Season (for granders): Five months: September through January, figures Cockle. His expectation that the warmest-weather period of autumn (March through May in the Southern Hemisphere) would produce smaller fish has been generally borne out — but he notes that grander-size blues have been spotted and caught during those months. From fishing Ascension the past two seasons, Henningen figures November through February to be the most reliable time for the big gals, though he also notes that numbers of marlin pick up in March and April. Cockle adds, "It has been recently proven that granders can be seen here at any time of year." He notes that in April 2002, Roddy Hayes reported seeing three granders in one day. In July of this year, the Harmattan caught a grander just after lines out during the World Cup tournament. April normally brings huge amounts of bait to the warming waters around Ascension, which, in turn, brings in great shoals of skipjack and yellowfin.
Conditions: It seldom gets too rough to fish Ascension, varying from occasionally flat seas to 5-footers. Ascension is far enough south to be generally cool; overcast skies tend to be the norm.
Charter Availability/Quality: So far, two or three operations seem determined to fish here, seasonally. All of them
are outstanding in equipment, crews and knowledge.
Charter Cost (in U.S. dollars): $1,200 to $1,500 per day.
Accommodations: There's just one option on this sparsely populated island: the Obsidian Hotel in Georgetown. Visitors pay about $100 per night for a room. The hotel's staff can take care of car rentals and airport transportation for guests. (Future plans include possible expansion of the hotel.)
Other Fishing Opportunities: Big tuna and swordfish have been taken here. Best bet for these marlin alternatives: September through January, when waters cool. Mahi mahi can be numerous. "It's not uncommon to catch them while at anchor in front of Georgetown," Cockle says.
Cost to Get Here (from New York): The only way to fly in, so far, is the weekly British Royal Air Force Tri-Star flight from Brize Norton field outside London. Only 20 seats per flight are open to civilians, and it's pricey — about $1,500 round trip (in part the result of a poor exchange rate in Europe for dollars — though travel with a party of at least six for a price break); add to that the cost for flight to London, and figure well over two grand. For more information, call Andrew Weir Shipping in London, 011-44-0-20-7265-0808 or fax 011-44-0-20-7481-4784.
General Information: www.ascension-island.gov.ac/visitors.htm.
