Extraordinary Photos from Sport Fishing’s “Last Cast”

Often that’s not easily defined beyond a photo making us go “Wow!” upon seeing it. Enjoy these nine from 2017’s issues, and I hope you’ll think “Wow!” upon seeing each one. — Doug Olander An angler peers down at what could be mistaken for a strange life-form from outer space but is actually a tiny red tuna crab, drifting off Baja’s Cedros Island. The amazing acrobatics of a Pacific sailfish, airborne off Guatemala, remind us why the species is so popular with anglers around the world. Something odd about these mahi, you say? “Golden Sword” — that’s how the photographer titled this photo of a Florida Keys swordfish just after its release by Capt. Nick Stanczyk, part of a three-for-three day from a 24-foot bay boat. Little-black blowout: Northeastern Australia's fabulous June-to-September run of juvenile black marlin heralds sensational action on lighter gear. With the mullet come tarpon, spinner sharks and other game fish. This shot of a magnificent bull dolphin makes it easy to see why mahi (dolphinfish) are one of the world’s most popular and prized game fish.

A multitude of photos cross my desk over the course of a year, most of those from professionals. But to schedule one to fill the magazine’s “Last Cast” page at the end of each issue, there has to be something really special about it. Often that’s not easily defined beyond a photo making us go “Wow!” upon seeing it. Enjoy these nine from 2017’s issues, and I hope you’ll think “Wow!” upon seeing each one. — Doug Olander

An angler peers down at what could be mistaken for a strange life-form from outer space but is actually a tiny red tuna crab, drifting off Baja’s Cedros Island.

red tuna crab underwater baja cedros Island saltwater fishing

Lilliputian: A larval Atlantic sailfish, barely 2 inches long, prowls its macroplanktonic world just below the surface of the Gulf Stream off southeastern Florida.

larval atlantic sailfish baby gulf stream florida

The amazing acrobatics of a Pacific sailfish, airborne off Guatemala, remind us why the species is so popular with anglers around the world.

Jumping Pacific sailfish caught saltwater fishing Guatemala
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