News from Ultimate Lady who has just spent another 10 days fishing south from Norfolk Island to the Wanganella Banks. Fishing 2 days initially closer to Norfolk the team found some great structure and in the two days ended up with 8 Marlin, including 3 Black Marlin (3-400lbs) and the remaining Stripeys as well as some Yellowfin to 50kg.  But while the fishing slowed over the moon, the last two days at Wanganella lived up to everything that we have ever heard about the fishery and more. 24 and 19 respectively - 24 Marlin being Ultimate Lady's new daily record. At one stage they fought 6 fish at once!!! This trip also marked their first Black Marlin at Wanganella, a nice one sized about 500lbs.

 

Weigh & Win competition: Send your printed Pictures in to win one of FIVE x $2,000.00 Tackle draws sponsored by “Kilwell Sports, Reel Rods Far North NZ, Tica Fishing Tackle, and the NZBGFC.” Entry is Free.  All Clubs need to do is once Club members have filled in their Weigh Sheet and had a photo taken of the fish and themselves with their fishing gear (or in the case of a tagged fish – beside the Tagging Board with their gear) – and send (posted) in the mail to The Secretary, NZBGFC, PO Box 93, Whangarei.  The Draw will be made at the next Council AGM September 2008.  The Contest started from the beginning of this fishing year i.e. 1st July 2007

 

Attention: all anglers; we are pleased to confirm that the following NZ Line Class Records have been ratified. 
Open MahimahiWomen         37 kg         17.50 kg               Teresa Kenney            27.12.07         Whangaroa
Women     All Tackle        17.50 kg               Teresa Kenney            27.12.07         Whangaroa
KahawaiMen                8 kg           3.63 kg                 Mark Franklin               02.01.08  Manukau Heads
Smallfry – Boy Snapper
M-Up to 11    2 kg             5.248 kg              Robbie Hopkins           12.01.08     Bay of Islands
Junior – Boy TrevallyM-11 – 16      4 kg             3.585 kg              Jared Kramer               15.12.07       White Island
Small-fry – Girl TrevallyW-Up to 11    8 kg              5.45 kg               Leah Herlihy                07.01.08       White Island

 

In a recent communication from Rick Pollock; We had plenty of action from mako sharks in the 80 – 200 =kg range, in addition we had skirmishes with nearly all the other species including great whites.  One interesting experience came at Ranfurly one day.  While drifting and landing a variety of bottom species, one angler on the bow let out a yelp.  Getting up there quickly as possible we saw the head of his 25 kilo hapuka and the fading image of the tropical visitor that took it, a tiger shark!  Not often do we have those in our waters.  Also while drifting for marlin and using live baits at the Three Kings, we occasionally hook and land bronze whalers.  They are usually large (120-200k’s plus) and we often tag them without the thought of ever seeing or hearing of them again.  Recently one of our tagged bronzies was landed in the Rangitoto Channel by a Kelly Tarlton employee and transported to the facility unharmed.  It is in the aquarium now, complete with yellow tag, delighting all those who pass by, estimated at 140kgs!

 

Around the coast update; from the New Plymouth waters up to the Hokianga there are good numbers of marlin being seen, but getting them to bite or stay on the hook is another question, the west coast has had unprecedented numbers of Mahimahi seen and caught, is this a bonus to global warming.  From the three Kings marlin are on one day and off the next, timing is essential like that of Te Ariki Nui who tagged a blue marlin est 300kg and tagged six stripies for the trip.  Houhora – Whangaroa – BOI are catching good sized gamefish one day and all quiet the next.  The BOP marlin are still being seen around the Alderman’s, Mayor and in closer than expected and down Waihau Bay there are still the odd blue marlin being caught and recently a double of striped marlin to the launch Kill Bill.