Client Spotlight: Viking 72′ “Quick Raise”
HMY has built many strong relationships with our clients by guiding them seamlessly through the Viking Yachts build process. One such client is the Viking 72 “Quick Raise”. We caught up with Captain Anthony Pennella, who runs the 2024 Viking 72’ Convertible, to hear about the owner and crew’s most memorable fishing day since taking delivery of the boat in Summer of 2023.
A thousand fathoms behind Tom’s Canyon, “Quick Raise” experienced one of their most epic days this past July when Captain Anthony's 5-year-old son joined the boat for his first offshore trip. The owner, Joe Bernert, graciously welcomed not just the captain's son but also his father, creating a special moment with three generations on the boat. Joe treats the captain and crew like family, making the day even more unforgettable. The conditions couldn't have been more perfect for such an occasion—flat calm seas and beautiful weather.
The game plan for that day was to target white marlin, but the morning started off slow with no bites by 10 a.m. However, with a fleet of five Cape May boats, including “Oil Slick”, nearby and working together, “Quick Raise” got lucky. By around 10:30, they found the fish and things started to turn around.
The Catch
The day turned out to be unforgettable, with the crew releasing 13 white marlin. Out of 28 or 29 white marlin spotted, they had 23 bites, going 13 for 23. At one thrilling point, they had three whites hooked simultaneously, with two more spotted behind the boat. They quickly pitched to those two and managed to hook all five, making it a day full of excitement and teamwork on the water.
Owner Joe Bernert was thrilled about the day. The captain's son did great with no complaints, and it was special to see him experience firsthand what his dad does for work. He even got to crank a white in for a little bit!
The Viking 72 Convertible itself contributed to this fantastic trip as it always does. Captain Anthony says the 72 Convertible is a fast boat that cruises at 40 knots and it’s nice to be able to get to your fishing grounds quickly, then get home quickly, and easily stay comfortable in between.
Additional highlights of this memorable fishing excursion included the preparation process, which was also special, as John, the mate on “Quick Raise”, involved both Captain Anthony’s young sons the day before, teaching them how to rig baits and get ready for the trip. When asked if there was anything additional that helped make the day stand out, Capt. told us that the MerMade custom rods built by Timmy Bush, who was on board that day as well, played a role in the success.
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