A Day Later, They Land a Swordfish

While Southern California burned, two Costa Mesa men fought through ashes from the faraway flames to land a 213 1/2-pound broadbill swordfish off the west end of Santa Catalina Island.

Carl Kogler, 38, and Steve Crilly, 35, were fishing for marlin with light tackle from Kogler’s 25-foot cruiser when Kogler hooked the fish at 2 p.m. Wednesday, as the Laguna Beach fire was just becoming serious. The fish was finally gaffed at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, long after the smoke had turned to a bright orange glow on the horizon.

They had seen the smoke and flames of the Thousand Oaks fire to the north but didn’t dwell on it.

“Actually, we were kind of preoccupied,” Kogler said. “But when I noticed the boat was getting real dirty (from the) ash falling on it and when the breeze came up at night and we were getting ash in our eyes, we realized there must be some pretty radical fires burning.

“We missed (by) 15 minutes (fighting the fish for) 24 hours, which I’m certainly not proud of.”

Kogler was using 30-pound-test monofilament with an 80-pound leader.

After 14 hours--at 4 a.m. Thursday--a weary Kogler handed off the rod to Crilly and they alternated the rest of the time.

Swordfish are an uncommon catch for local sportfishermen, although commercial boats, aided by airborne spotters, take them fairly routinely. This was only the fifth taken on rod and reel this year.