
LAW XIV - The Law of the Big Fish
"The Bigger the Fish, the Harder the Fight... and when Fully Throttled, the Greater Reward."
About two months ago CKMG was contracted to develop a couple web sites within the Real Estate and Land Investment verticals.
ReferMyClients.com allows Realtors the ability to offer land, ranches, ranchettes and other real estate throughout the country by referring their clients to the opportunities owned by AcreageAnywhere, LLC and other developers as relationships are formed.
AcreageAnywhere.com will be the sister site to ReferMyClients.com and will enable the Realtor the ability to promote real estate opportunities with a personalized site to their clients. Ex: BettySueRealtor.AcreageAnywhere.com.
As we move closer to the launch date of these sites I was asked to spend time with the leadership of AcreageAnywhere, LLC at their 13,000 square foot home away from home, El Villa Las Palmas within the Cabo San Lucas exclusive Pedregal gates. During Memorial Day Weekend, Cabo holds the World Championship Bill-Fish Release Tournament bringing the some of the World's top anglers to the gorgeous Cabo Coast to take part in the Million dollar tournament.
View of Cabo from the Pool...

Path to Front Entrance...

View of Pool Bar & Cabana...

Sunday morning we boarded Spartacus at Sea,
their 60-Foot Hatteras Sport Yacht. I've done a lot of fishing
off San Diego an
d this boat crew was by far the bestI've ever seen. Captain Steve, Vicente, Rudy and Memo all definitely have the force. Their work ethic and teamwork inspired the next law which will be posted later this week, LAW XV - The Law of the Boat Crew.
After a night of hammering Cabo Wabo and the No Where Bar we got down to the boat dock around 830am to head out to sea. There's nothing like heading out to sea at the break of dawn with the ill affects of a Cabo-Rita hangover... Of Course!
Fun and Games aside, we left the dock with one mission and one mission only... to do a little practice fishing before the big tournament the following morning. It was all business on the boat, Captain Steve was leading the way while Vicente, Memo, and Rudy were dropping hammers setting hooks, drag lines and bait.
A couple hours into to the adventure we came across the first sign of a big fish. Striped Marlin feed and feed and when they've fed themselves enough they'll float at the oceans surface to rest allowing their food to digest. The untrained eye is unable to notice or recognize what fishermen call "the sleeper" and first glance but once you've seen the it once your eyes become entranced on the ocean's horizon searching for the next sleeper.
Just as I was about to doze off on the upper level of Spartacus I hear someone yell, "SLEEPER"!... so we all raise up and check the bow of the boat as Memo and Vicente are the first to grab reels and launch bait toward the double peaking fins of the Sleeper. It's the wildest thing to see a Marlin get hooked, it's almost like the Sleeper is in some sort of trance and the moment the bait hits the water it suddenly snaps back to life and propels forward attacking the bait as if it's been stalking it for days...
The sleeper at the front of the boat takes a whack at the bait but nothing gets hooked. Within seconds of wondering what the hell happened I hear a squeal coming from the back of the boat. The right rear drag line starts to wind out and Rudy who is already at the back of the boat jumps on the rod with the quickness. I climb down to the back of the boat without hesitation as Rudy prepares to hand off the rod.
I strap on the belt and get dialed in... right when I get a hold of the rod the marlin takes off, all I hear is the rod wheel spinning out uncontrollably. I hear a "Start reeling that mutha!" as Memo jumps down from the top deck and starts to coach. I start winding down like Mayweather on a speed bag with a grip so tight the skin on my thumb, ring finger and palm begins to get red hot.
Back and forth I'm walking the rear of the boat, when the fish pulls... I hold strong and pull back, when he tires I start winding down again... This back and forth is almost at the 30 minute mark and I'm beginning to hit muscle failure. The whole left side of my back from my ass to my trap is burning up... My left arm feels like I've been walking for miles holding a 50 pound dumb bell as my grip begins to loosen up. Shea comes down from the top and offers me a swig of beer... I nod her off partly because I don't have the breath to say no and partly because one sip would lead to me wanting to slam the whole thing.I start thinking in my head how bad this fish just wants to go home... he's 150+ of pure muscle fighting for his life while I'm on the other end of the rod thinking about how bad I've always wanted to catch a marlin and how horrible it would be to fight this long and lose due to the mental aspect of hitting muscle failure. For a split second I have a thought cross my mind that it may be best to hand this off to someone with some more juice. Just as fast as the thought comes it leaves as I continue to fight on.

At this point I'm completely drenched with sweat as it's almost noon and the sun is reflecting off the water and boat like heat lamps of a tanning bed set to "burn that ass". Finally the big blue fish is against the ropes... I'm thinking "don't break that line, please fish don't break it".
Vicente grabs the line, Memo grabs the gaff, Rudy grabs the bill, I step back with my hand tight on the wheel just in case this fish goes for one last run... and within seconds the exhausted fish is pulled on deck and the biggest rush of adrenaline rushes through my body reminding me of the days when I was jumping out of C-130's at Bragg.
WOW... what a beautiful fish! The blue stripes look florescent in the suns direct light as Memo gracefully knocks the fish into submission with the pummel stick. An abrupt way to go but this fish is no trophy, this big boy is going to be cut into filet's to feed the troops. A honorable way to go after a 45 minute battle in the calm blue waters off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. Home of the Beautiful Striped Blue Marlin...
The Law of the Big Fish can be applied to many challenges a leader may face in his/her life. If something is worth having, it's worth fighting for and those that have the mental and physical fortitude to fight the good fight will receive one of life's greatest rewards. The memorable reward of accomplishment, one that you never forget. Thanks to Shea and Gary for allowing me to have this awesome experience.



