Photo Information

Larry Yoshida, charter master, teaches Sgt Mario Tabarracci, drill instructor, Company G, how to tie the San Diego jam knot aboard The Indian.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla

Marines cast a line

29 Jun 2011 | Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot spent a day on the water fishing and relaxing June 29, courtesy of Dan Hernandez, executive producer of “Sportfishing with Dan Hernandez.”

“Sportfishing with Dan Hernandez” is a television show that airs every Sunday on San Diego’s MYTV 13. Hernandez has been hosting Marines for 14 years and was filming an episode for his Christmas special.

“I feel blessed that I get to go fishing for a living,” said Hernandez. “I only get to do this because of the sacrifices service members make.”

The fishing party of mostly drill instructors set sail early Wednesday. The boat named The Indian was provided by its captain Chris Randal.

“I wanted to give them a day off base where they could forget about their day jobs,” said Hernandez. “It was nice to see them relax and smile.”

The ship also had a kitchen on board with breakfast and lunch menus for the Marines to enjoy between destinations. The Indian anchored at a few different locations off the coast of Tijuana, Mexico, moving to ensure the fish would keep biting.

“In all honesty, I don’t think you can get any better than what we got,” said Sgt. Gabriel Spires, drill instructor, Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “The crew on the ship was awesome helping us out with our fishing poles and giving us quick ideas to help us get a better catch. Oh, and the food that they cooked up was fantastic.”

The first catch of the day was a barracuda caught by Staff Sgt. Ismael Alicea and the largest fish was landed by Gunnery Sgt. Cyle Burton, chief drill instructor for receiving company.

Barracuda, rock fish, sculpin, and white fish were caught throughout the day with a variety of different lures.

On the way back to dock, while the Marines rested, the crew of the ship cleaned and prepared the fish so they could be taken home and cooked.

“For him to go out of his way and put this on his schedule for us was by far the best thing I think anybody has ever done, not just for me, but for service members in general,” said Spires. “That was the best thank you I have ever gotten from anyone.”


Marine Corps Training and Education Command