Hokianga Mega Stripie.- Dave Cairns/ skipper of the mighty shark catching "Blue Vein Picalo" and a great southern legend visited the North and was trolling back towards the Hokianga Bar, cranking some music after a great day on the water when the shotgun / warehouse lure went off.

A short time later, angler Graham Le Compte helped boat a 181.2kg / 398lb striped marlin.  The fish of a life time and only a couple pound short of the magic 400 pound mark.

 

Another satellite tag washes up - In mid-January 2008 another PSAT tag washed up on a beach at Charlesworth Bay, New South Wales Australia and was found on 10 January.  The tag was attached to the first marlin tagged at the Wanganella Banks on 10 January 2006. It contains an archive of data recorded every 15 seconds for nearly 3 months.  The tag was returned to the manufacturer to open the archive; we will keep you updated on this when we have the data. 

 

Daily Updates of Tagged Marlin Tracks can be viewed on a website hosted by the Tagging of Pacific Pelagic program. Check them out at http://las.pfeg.noaa.gov/nonTOPPtags/ Two striped marlin were satellite tagged at Waihau Bay in March 2008.  The first (called STM08-1), tagged on 6 March 2008 was estimated to be 80kg, and was transferred from Chris and Tania Randrup on their boat “Swn y mor” as they fished for the Tauranga One Base. It is scheduled to stay on the fish until 31 August 2008.  The second marlin was tagged on 8 March after being transferred from the boat “Got em On”, captained by host of the ITM Fishing Show Matt Watson.  The capture, tagging, and release process was filmed from both the ITM boat and in the water by an ITM diver.  This marlin was also double tagged with a PSAT tag which is programmed to pop-off on 31 December 2008.  Initially it moved northwards until it reached the Colville-Lau Ridge, where it diverted northeasterly and has been moving parallel to the ridge since 14 March.

 

World Record Claim Ultra-light tackle captures - Angler Guy Jacobsen on the vessel “Hookin' Bull” with skipper John Batterton and a crew that can be described as a formula one pit crew, went out and targeted a striped marlin on 1kg line, they were successful and if the world record claim is passed by the IGFA, then Guy and team will have the 1kg mens world record with their s/m weighing 105.0 kg.  They also weighed in a blue marlin weighing 170.0kg that was caught on 8 kilo line.  Guy has also weighed in a 93.6 kg s/m on three kilo line a new club record for the Houhora Big Game & Sports Fishing Club.

 

Where are the Fish?? – go North and suggest stocking up on lots of livies, there is a lot of bait around and the marlin seem to be loving the livies over plastic, I would say over 70% in the weekend off Mt Camel were on livies.  A few wahoo have been caught lately up off the King Bank with some nice blue marlin a bit further south.  The Naki last week was hot, with 20 marlin or so from18 boats.  Most know-alls are blaming the moon for last weekends quiet spell and expect it to fire again this weekend.

 

Nationals Vests – please contact Roz on nzbgfc@bordernet.co.nz if you would like a medium or XL vest – very smart – black with polo fleece type lining. $43 each.

 

Kahawai Case Appeal was heard in the Appeal Court 26th & 27th February. The Commercial Appeal was very focussed on Non Commercial catch recording / estimates and their considered deficiencies in this area of fisheries management. Our case based around “shall allow for and provide for our social and cultural and economic wellbeing” and the deficiencies in recognising the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park were reinforced by Counsel Alan Galbraith. The appeal Court Judges (3 of them) decision is expected out in approximately 6 weeks.