A Crew Of One -- The Odyssey of a Solo Marlin Fisherman

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Posted On 2006-02-12 11:44

Last Name : Manfre
Email Address : omega4027@sbcglobal.net
Country : USA

Comment :
Dear Mr. Bentos,
I recently read your book A Crew of One, and I must say that it was very well written, and imparted a sense of the hunt, chase, and capture of great billfish in the open ocean.   Additionally, I was able to experience with you the wonder of solitude, vastness of the ocean and the exhilaration of fishing and capture of the quarry.   I too am an offshore fisherman, and have experienced billfishing on a charter boat out of Costa Rica on the pacific side.   In my 75 years of fishing, mostly offshore along the Texas coast, I have enjoyed trolling and bank fishing. However, I usually find that trolling for long periods of time does not appeal to crew who are not tuned into this kind of fishing, and do not have the patience of the long hours needed to develop a strike.   In your description of analyzing the current conditions of the sea, and heading out to the most likely area to find your quarry, shows a very well developed and keen sense of understanding and one-ness with the billfish being sought.   This is a remarkable talent and is a unique gift in bringing to completion your ability to seek, find and land the GREAT MONSTER FISH of your boyhood dreams.
Good luck to you in all your endeavours.   I probably will never meet you in this life, but will feel a connection with you in spirit as I head out offshore on my next offshore trip.
Regards, and God's speed.
Anthony

Posted On 2005-11-13 18:31

Last Name : Beverly
Email Address : susanbeverly2003@yahoo.com
Website URL : www.geocities.com/susanbeverly2003
Country : USA

Comment : Dear Carlos, It was nice to meet you at the Publishing Panel at Barnes and Noble last night. I like your site very much. Please do stay in touch! I think it's quite impressive that you catch Marlin by yourself, and, that you return them to the ocean. I think your story would probably make a great movie. Susan

Posted On 2005-11-03 15:36

Last Name : Kuykendall
Email Address : pilsyd123@hotmail.com
Country : United States

Comment :
Dear Mr. Bentos,
   You are a huge inspiration to me. I read A Crew Of One and its one of my favorite books. I know you started off from having little when you were young and I do also. I share many qualities with you, fishing is an obsession for me but I only get to when I visit my dad in Florida and I’m interested in cooking. About 2 years ago my dad bought a 21 foot boat and he doesn't really know anything about fishing so I began to read about everything. Sometimes he'll fall asleep and I'll have to take over and it reminds me of you fishing. Only one time I caught a fish without waking him up; it was a 20 pound kingfish and he woke up to see me holding up a fish and putting it in the icebox. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done, putting on a fighting belt while keeping the boat straight, reeling in closer lines so the don't get tangled while fighting a fish, and you do it with marlin! and mine was a 20 pound fish. I would really appreciate it if you emailed me back because I really look up to you.  The biggest fish besides shark I've ever caught was a 60 lb Wahoo.

Posted On 2005-10-06 17:46

Last Name : Slezak
Email Address : tslezak@mybluelight.com
Country : USA

Comment :
Mr. Bentos,
I read and enjoyed your book, "A Crew of One" and I need to complete a book report for a fifth grade assignment. Part of the assignment is to ask questions of the author or character in the book. I would really appreciate if you could take time to answer these questions:
1. What is your favorite fishing spot?
2. How large was the biggest Marlin you ever caught?
3. When will your next book be ready?
4. Do you know the title of your next book?
5. What is your favorite fish to eat?
6. What is your favorite way to prepare that fish?
7. What is your favorite fish to catch besides Marlin?
8. What is the farthest you have traveled on the Caribena?
9. How long have you stayed on the Caribena without going ashore?
10. How many months did it take to write the book?
Thank you very much for your time. Please reply by Saturday, October 8th. My report is due Monday October 10th.
Good luck on the offshore grounds.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Slezak

Posted On 2005-09-13 10:13

Last Name : Greeves
Email Address : jgreeves@cox.net
Country : USA

Comment :
Carlos-
I very much enjoyed your book after reading it in just two hours. I deep sea fish a lot out of Indian River in Delaware, and also out of Ocracoke NC, where I have been fishing with The Devereaux for years with Captain Reid Robinson. My wife and I enjoy chartering boats by ourselves. I enjoyed your view on life, and your ability to represent only yourself fishing while working very well with other captains and info sharing and things like that. It reeks of "I like myself fine but also play well with others." I would be interested to hear of any new books planned or how your new restaurant is going. Coincidentally, my wife owns and publishes The Georgetowner newspaper in DC and certainly had heard El Caribe, and I believe that you both even used to share the same landlord, Karen Snyder, who is also a friend. Anyway, a satisfying read that left getting nothing done in the office this morning a pleasure. Hopefully will get a chance to eat at your new digs and see your boat, and wish you all the best.
                                                     Wally Greeves

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