BajaNomad - Baja angler dies

Baja angler dies

Wally - 7-16-2013 at 12:20 PM

Baja angler dies after falling overboard while fighting a marlin

An angler fishing near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, died Friday after falling overboard while fighting a striped marlin.

Marlin1-1Fred Talmage of Pacific Palisades presumably suffered a heart attack while a lone crewman struggled to help the overweight fisherman back into the 22-foot panga.

The incident occurred nine miles offshore and just beyond Gordo Banks, a popular fishing spot about 40 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on Baja California's tip, in the Sea of Cortez.

Talmage, who was in his mid-60s, was fishing out of Gordo Banks Pangas and had reeled in a dorado (mahi-mahi) before hooking the marlin.

The sea was calm and Talmage was sitting in a stationary boat while fighting the billfish.

Eric Brictson, who runs the charter business, said that Talmage began to slip over the rail while adjusting his seating position.

"The skipper grabbed onto the elastic waistband of his shorts, but could not keep him from slipping the rest of the way into the water," Brictson stated, via email. "When Fred went into the water he did swallow some saltwater, but otherwise appeared okay, passing the rod back to the skipper, who simply slipped it into the nearest pole holder.

"Then the skipper passed the throw ring and strapped a life vest onto Fred as he held firmly on to the panga railing. Fred is very large man, approximately 280 pounds. He had mentioned health problems, diabetes, being overweight, and he did not have much upper body strength."

The panga skipper could not lift Talmage back onto the boat so he phoned for help on his VHF radio.

However, Talmage "suddenly became very week and slumped into unconsciousness."

Others arrived within 20 minutes of the call but efforts to revive the angler--both on the boat and back at Puerto Los Cabos Marina--were unsuccessful.

Brictson described this as a "freak situation" and added that it was the first fatality aboard one of his boats out of 20,000 charters.

http://www.petethomasoutdoors.com/2013/07/baja-angler-dies-a...

Mexitron - 7-16-2013 at 01:10 PM

Sad. RIP, but at least he went doing something he loved.

BajaBlanca - 7-16-2013 at 03:32 PM

RIP and yes, he sure died doing something he loved.

Bubba - 7-16-2013 at 03:33 PM

Sad indeed...

The Sculpin - 7-16-2013 at 04:15 PM

File this under "peeing in the camp fire", but I've never understood the "at least he died while doing something he loved" sentiment. What if he loved putting 12" posts through a chipper? Or loved sword swallowing? I get that for some it serves as a metaphor for a life well lived, and others have to attach a purpose to death, but why?

DENNIS - 7-16-2013 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wally

Brictson described this as a "freak situation" and added that it was the first fatality aboard one of his boats out of 20,000 charters.

Business damage control before the body is laid to rest.
Not cool.

Bajahowodd - 7-16-2013 at 04:56 PM

I've always preferred going out with pangueros to fish. Just not into the atmosphere on those sleek powered fishing boats.

However, this serves as a lesson to me, in that if this fellow had been on one of the big fishing fleet boats, he probably would have had a greater chance for survival, merely because of the additional crew, and maybe even other fishermen, who might have even been EMTs.

Hook - 7-16-2013 at 05:25 PM

That's a reel drag, to go like that. Maybe, quite literally.

805gregg - 7-16-2013 at 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Sculpin
File this under "peeing in the camp fire", but I've never understood the "at least he died while doing something he loved" sentiment. What if he loved putting 12" posts through a chipper? Or loved sword swallowing? I get that for some it serves as a metaphor for a life well lived, and others have to attach a purpose to death, but why?

I agree total BS, want to die doing something I love, sleeping

vacaenbaja - 7-16-2013 at 06:08 PM

You do not have to be out of shape and overweight to suffer
the same fate. My friend, a big fitness buff and diet conscience
person was driving when he felt what seemed to him a bit
of indigestion. He continued to drive on to the gym to work out.
The next day as he was heading out to the gym he again
felt an uncomfortable feeling. This time he headed to the
ER. The folks at the ER seeing this in shape strapping figure
assured him that it was most likely indigestion, but they will
hook him up for an EKG anyway. The technicians jaws dropped, and a doctor was called for consult. The doctor told my friend that he had had a heart attack a while back. Upon further testing and examination they found all four arteries to
be 95% blocked. They told him that he needed surgery right
'then and there and that they had a team ready. My friend
declined asking for a few days to tie up some loose ends.
Well he took the chance and waited four more days and
then got his quadruple bypass. Moral of the story Make sure
you have your will etc. in order and nothing on your computer that you don't want your heirs to see!
If you can afford it get a heart scan or other tests to make sure that you are not a ticking parking meter ready to go
EXPIRED.

Mexitron - 7-16-2013 at 07:29 PM

Quote:

Yah, well death is death, that's true, but given my druthers I'd rather be doing something meaningful as opposed to having a heart attack in an office cubicle or being murdered...last images of life, as it were. But not that big of a deal either way--we all gotta go somehow, just a nice sentiment for the unfortunate fellow.

monoloco - 7-16-2013 at 08:32 PM

Well, I'd rather die in my sleep like my grampa did, than screaming in panic like his passengers.

mulegemichael - 7-16-2013 at 08:53 PM

vacaenbaja....i get an uncomfortable feeling EVERYTIME i go to the gym....it's because i'm GOING TO THE GYM!!!...makes me nauseous every single time!

CortezBlue - 7-16-2013 at 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
Morbid obesity kills in many ways.
Bummer for this guy and his family and friends.

Oh brother

motoged - 7-16-2013 at 11:27 PM

I imagine that falling overboard, gulping sea water, panicking, and fearing for one's life , then having a heart attack and finally drowning would be a horrible way to die.

I wonder what a marlin experiences when hooked, battered and killed ?

Sport killing ???

Osprey - 7-17-2013 at 10:07 AM

I love to fish and I fish for the big guys in a panga many times during the years but that's not the way I want to go.

If I really have a valid feeling Its my last day, I'm going over the wall into the women's prison near Cabo.

tripledigitken - 7-17-2013 at 11:47 AM

Osprey,

Mind sharing the gps coordinates?

:lol:

Iflyfish - 7-17-2013 at 11:08 PM

I want out on a down stroke.

Iflyfishconmiamigoosprey

dtbushpilot - 7-18-2013 at 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
I love to fish and I fish for the big guys in a panga many times during the years but that's not the way I want to go.

If I really have a valid feeling Its my last day, I'm going over the wall into the women's prison near Cabo.

I don't think women ever get that desperate Jorge, you'd probably just get beat up. :lol:

Osprey - 7-18-2013 at 07:12 AM

I wasn't thinkin' desperation, I was thinkin' they don't get much theater.

EnsenadaDr - 7-18-2013 at 06:22 PM

I agree. Anyone over 50 or younger who has a history of cardiac problems or episodes of shortness of breath or tightness in the chest during activity should go for a stress test. It is very sad to lose someone you love prematurely, and if you smoke, STOP!!

Quote:

Originally posted by vacaenbaja
You do not have to be out of shape and overweight to suffer
the same fate. My friend, a big fitness buff and diet conscience
person was driving when he felt what seemed to him a bit
of indigestion. He continued to drive on to the gym to work out.
The next day as he was heading out to the gym he again
felt an uncomfortable feeling. This time he headed to the
ER. The folks at the ER seeing this in shape strapping figure
assured him that it was most likely indigestion, but they will
hook him up for an EKG anyway. The technicians jaws dropped, and a doctor was called for consult. The doctor told my friend that he had had a heart attack a while back. Upon further testing and examination they found all four arteries to
be 95% blocked. They told him that he needed surgery right
'then and there and that they had a team ready. My friend
declined asking for a few days to tie up some loose ends.
Well he took the chance and waited four more days and
then got his quadruple bypass. Moral of the story Make sure
you have your will etc. in order and nothing on your computer that you don't want your heirs to see!
If you can afford it get a heart scan or other tests to make sure that you are not a ticking parking meter ready to go
EXPIRED.

KurtG - 7-20-2013 at 02:34 PM

This turns out to be very timely in my case. I have had some symptoms lately and saw my doctor who sent me to a cardiology group in San Luis Obispo. Did a stress test and some imaging and found that my left coronary artery is fully blocked.
Went to the Cath lab at French Hospital here yesterday for an angiogram and the attempt to put in a stent was unsuccessful so I am in hospital for the weekend and having surgery Monday afternoon. I have been assured that the problem is repairable and they think I have no heart damage but it could have been very bad had I not seen my doctor. This hospital is ranked in the top 50 in the US in Cardiology and the Doctors at Coast Cardiology have a great reputation. I am looking at this as opening a new chapter at age 69. Those of you who know me are aware that I had gotten in better physical shape recently and ironically it was some of that extra exercise that exposed my problems. This hospital has a great staff and I have Kathy, my kids, her kids and a number of friends as constant company.

You'll see me in Baja as usual this winter on one of my motorcycles and Kathy and I will do our annual 2 week trip in Oct.

Go get a checkup!