MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- Fishing is a great way to relieve anxiety and Marines from the Recruit Training Regiment got the chance to do just that during a day-long fishing trip as guests on the TV show, Sport Fishing with Dan Hernandez, June 11.
The show covers both fresh and saltwater fishing in California and Mexico, so the Marines visited the Coronado Islands and Mexico, searching for barracuda, bonita, bass, yellowtail and sculpin fish.
“Being a drill instructor is a stressful job,” said Daniel Hernandez, professional sport fisherman. “This trip is to get them off the base so they can relax and just have a good time. The biggest concern I want them to have is how big of a fish they are going to catch.”
This was the 12th time depot Marines have been on the show. Hernandez said that he started taking Marines out before the country was at war, but now he finds a special joy in giving back to those who have served.
“I am excited for this trip and thankful that people from the community would do this for us,” said Staff Sgt. Marcus Reese, drill instructor, Company I. “I’m looking forward to catching a huge fish and eating it later today.”
Before setting sail, the Marines underwent a brief class on proper fishing techniques, the mechanics of the rod and how to hook the live anchovies and sardines they would be using as bait.
“The more natural the bait looks, the more likely they are to attract the game fish,” said Hernandez. “It’s important to hook the bait the correct way so it doesn’t die and instead swims while on their line in the water.”
Hernandez made the first catch of the day, a foot-long octopus that was released back into the water after every Marine got the chance to see it.
Throughout the trip Marines caught bass and mackerel, but the abundant fish of the day were sculpin, which had to be handled with care due to their poisonous fins. In total, the Marines caught more than 200 fish in 12 hours.
The bait attracted more than fish. During the trip, a couple pelicans and seagulls got tangled in the line while in pursuit of the bait. They were reeled in immediately and released. Sea lions helped themselves to an afternoon snack by following the boat and biting off only the body of the bait, leaving fish heads for the Marines to reel in.
The Marines would feel a strong tug on the line and think it was a large fish, but most of the time it was just the sea lions stealing their bait and happily swimming away, said Reese, a Hanceville, Ala., native.
Because the episode will air during the Christmas season, at the end of the day each Marine recorded an on-camera message to their families and service members deployed.
The Marines were also offered the opportunity to participate in the jackpot which is awarded to whoever catches the largest fish. The friendly competition kept the Marines motivated to continue fishing.
Sergeant Mark Galindo, drill instructor, Company G, caught the largest fish, a six-pound calico bass, making him this year’s jackpot winner.
“I enjoyed the trip immensely. We caught a lot of fish and I was surprised how big some of them were,” said Reese. “I caught more than 15 fish, and plan to grill and deep-fry them when I get home.”
Reese said the crew was helpful and patient whenever the Marines’ lines got caught, and could answer any question they had about fishing. He said that not only was the trip fun, but a great learning experience.
“Events like these really boost morale,” said Reese. “This trip gave us the opportunity to bond with the other drill instructors, which is something that we normally don’t get to do in our hectic everyday schedule.”