Call This One ‘As the Reel Turns’

For many, one 500-pound blue marlin would be considered the catch of a lifetime.

If that’s the case, Kenneth R. Corday of Burbank might as well quit fishing.

Producer of NBC’s “Days of Our Lives,” Corday took a vacation recently to the island of Madeira, 300 miles off the coast of Morocco, and had three of the most incredible days of his life.

Corday, 46, not only tagged and released an Atlantic blue marlin in the 1,100-pound class while fishing aboard Tracy Melton’s Pesca Grossa, he caught two more over 700 pounds, three over 600 and three more over 500.

“Those three days were just amazing,” Corday said. “The odd thing was that all the marlin are large--there were none under 400 or 500 pounds, so they’re all females. Males rarely get over 350 pounds. So why are all these big females swimming around in this particular current?”

Whatever the reason, the big blues are luring more big-game anglers every year. Those with means enough to get to the remote island, that is. There are only two cruisers available for charter and they’re already booked for the next couple of seasons.

“Everyone’s sure the next world record Atlantic blue marlin is going to be caught there, probably this summer,” Corday said.

The world record is 1,402 pounds, caught in 1992 off Brazil.

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The arrival of albacore off the Central California coast late last week has the Morro Bay fleets busy trying to get word out that a season--for the second year in a row--is indeed underway.

The counts have been impressive so far. A Sunday news release from Virg’s Landing reported: “55 albacore anglers on three trips captured 111 albacore up to 38 pounds.”

The best news is that the fish are being caught only 35 to 40 miles offshore. Last year’s run took place 60-plus miles off the coast, often in sloppy seas, and the fish were elusive more days than not.

Oceanic conditions are not ideal for albacore, however, and may not sustain the fast-moving tuna for long.

Meanwhile, the Central Coast fleet is beginning to lure business from the San Diego fleet, which despite a good June is finding the tuna season south of the border a disappointment.

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Gary Jasper of Bermuda Dunes repeated the feat he accomplished last year: weighing in the first marlin of the season at Avalon.

He caught his fish, a 113 1/2-pounder, two weeks ago aboard Wait ‘N Sea eight miles off the west end of San Clemente Island.

Since then, however,the local marlin season has yet to earnestly get underway.

“Last year we didn’t get the first fish until August,” said Roger Cadman at Avalon Seafoods, the official weigh station. “The spotter plane guys say there are a few scattered fish off the east end [of Catalina] and at Clemente, but these are just the first comers, the scouts.”

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Smells like lightning: Thunderstorms have been rolling through Southland mountains and deserts, and hikers need to beware. So says the Washington-based American Hiking Society, citing the fact that lightning kills 100-300 people every year. David Lillard, AHS president, offers these tips to those caught in an electrical storm:

--”Avoid shallow caves, as lightening can travel inside if it strikes nearby. And never seek shelter under a lone tree or from a cluster of trees in an open area. Also make sure you’re not the highest object in an exposed place.”

--”Make yourself as small as possible. It’s better to crouch than to lie down as lightening can travel in a sheet along the ground after striking and can actually pass through your body. You should also make sure you’re at least 35 yards from any metal objects, like an aluminum pack frame.”

Also, Lillard says, listen to your senses. “You can literally feel and smell lightening,” he says. “When lightening is close, the hairs on your neck will stand up straight and the air will have a distinct aroma, similar to that given off by an electrical short.”