Lord of the Flies

There were, however, the other uncounted Arostegui applications: two almaco jacks, caught on fly rods off Bimini on May 2, and a 26-pound blackfin tuna, snagged on fly, near Key West on April 26. Would they put Marty over the top? "They're not going to be processed for another month or so," said Reynolds. "Herb's still number one."

The wait continues.

Jacqueline Carini

Marty Arostegui, who has 179 world records, hunts for big fish everywhere — salt water, fresh water, rivers, lakes, oceans, canals, drainage ditches

Jacqueline Carini

Marty prepares for a trip to the Snake Pit

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With the Ratner-chasing goal nearly accomplished, a burning question lingers. Will Marty suffer existential angst? His guides, who have certainly enjoyed the largesse of his quest, posit a few ideas.

"No one has ever caught a 400-pound shark on fly," said Delph, adding this would be a "mighty righteous record."

And Zaremba, who accompanied Marty on his mission for the past three years, recently spotted a vulnerable record in the canal system. "I don't even know how to really pronounce it. I think it's a thapes hybrid. But it's an open category. Even if it's a one-pounder, you get the all-tackle record." Marty will be excited, Zaremba quipped. "He's into anything that has record potential."