Santiago was an old and experienced Cuban fisherman , but his luck had run out . He had gone 84 days without catching a single fish . In fact , he was so unlucky that his young apprentice , Manolin , had been forbidden by rents to sail with the old man . However , the boy still visited sited Santiago 's shack . The boy helped him carry back his fish ing gear,gave him food , and discussed American baseball with him.Santiago continued to go out onto the Gulf to fish. He threw his lines and , by noon , a big fish had taken his bait . Santi a was unable to pull in the large marlin , and instead the fish pulled his boat out to sea . For two days and two nights Santiago fought with the marlin and held on to the line,Santiago felt compassion and admiration for his great opponent .