Jon Schwartz recently returned to Southern California from Hawaii with a memories that would seem dreamlike if he hadn't captured dozens of images to serve as proof of what he had experienced.
The fifth-grade teacher from Carlsbad, who doubles as an outdoors writer and photographer, paid his way to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, where he volunteered to become the official blogger for the prestigious Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.
But instead of becoming a mere observer on the press boat, he became a fish magnet.
On the second day of the tournament a giant Pacific blue marlin struck a lure being trolled behind the boat, embarked on an airborne tirade and even charged a slammed the vessel. Schwartz was there with his camera, watching and snapping as the approaching behemoth filled his lens.
Two days later the press boat again trolled lures to bide time between competitive action. Again a giant blue marlin struck -- it was larger than any caught by an event participant -- and Schwartz not only photographed the magnificent billfish and the deckhand engaged in a marathon battle, he helped during the tag and release.
After the five-day tournament, Schwartz stuck around and went back out with some of Kona's top skippers, and when it was feasible he dove into the water with his camera. The result were dozens of spectacular images, which were narrowed to five for the sake of brevity. They appear in order, top to bottom at right, with short commentary from Schwartz:
1. Free-swimming marlin, after it had been hooked and released: "That marlin was obviously eyeing me as it swam by. They do that when you are in the water. I wanted to get as close as possible to it and head it off and I did.
It was tired out enough to where, in my experience, it was done thrashing. Sure it's dangerous, but then so is riding a motorcycle and you sure won't find me getting on one of those!"
2. Free-swimming Galapagos shark: "This shark was hanging out at one of the buoys that I went to two days after the ahi trip. It was with a white-tip shark. I was very hesitant to get in because there were two, which makes it hard to keep an eye on both of them.
"But they were very docile and it was all I could do to get any shots where they weren't turning away from me. I think this is a Galapagos shark, certainly not known as an aggressive one, and this one wasn't."
3. Gilbert, the Terminator mate (left), and Capt. Scott Kadooka boating a 130-pound yellowfin tuna, or ahi: "It was a hard shot to get because the boat is heaving and spray is flying and they are obviously not able to pose with that big fish so I did what I could in a jiff.
"I was very eager to get some underwater shots of an ahi to round out my collection but the angler is often so anxious to boat the fish that they don't like me getting in.
"On this trip the angler was a friend of the owner and I had chartered the boat specifically for this purpose, and I told them that if they lost the fish due to me being in the water, I would pay for the amount of the meat that they would otherwise bring to market."
4. Green sea turtle: "These are your turtles that can be found in so many places. You don't have to go to a special beach, just get in the water and a good percentage of the time, they are there.
"They are protected so you can't harass them and have to wait and see if they want to come to you.
"They sometimes let you have a little face time and then swim off. You can often literally see these within 30 minutes of getting your bags unpacked in your hotel. Great photo but not hard to get."
5. Marlin on the hook: "I had to swim down a ways to get this shot but I wanted to get something that showed what it's like at the level of the fish when they are deeper. My camera housing is rated only to 15 feet so I was worried I might spring a leak but it didn't happen. Soon after this, a smaller male showed up that was not hooked and just swam around, which was a rare thrill for me. Captains in Kona see it all the time, as it's mating season."
-- Pete Thomas
-- Editor's note: These images are protected by copyright laws and Schwartz requests than anyone who would like to use them should contact him via his website (blue link atop this story.)
excellent pics Pete...what camera do you use? I'm going to Hawaii next month and have a canon point and shoot with a canon underwater housing...took some great shots with it last time. That shark is way too close. ;)
Posted by: Bryan | Aug 18, 2010 at 10:59 PM