Meridian Three Kings Trip April 2001

Starring 

Skipper – Wayne Unkovich – Unkie
2^nd in Command and No1 Cook– John Brambles – JB or Brams
The Wire Man – Andy Hellesoe – Black Snapper
The Tag man – Reagen James – Regain
No 2 Cook and Chief Sandwich Maker – John Cross – JC or Crossy
Camera / Sound man – Allyn Barnett – Barnie Boy 

12-April 2001 

Departing from Gulf Harbour at 9.48am Thursday morning and with unfavourable weather conditions, our destination today was unknown. Skipper Unkie and other crew all had been advised maybe a review of travel today may have been in order. However, being men of men and having buried in our loins the desire to persue the big fish, we get under away without further ado. 40 knots at Tiri and rising, predictions are that it will increase before it gets better.

Kawau Island and into the fish. Snapper and John Dory including and a full live bait tank of small yellowtail and slimies are fished during a rain sodden afternoon. Bramble’s sandwiches are great, however are surpassed by bacon and egg pie, boysenberry pie and apple and feijoa pie.3 Pies down 5 to go. Bon Accord for the night. No good news from Hohoura on SSB so into the scratcher early tonight. 

13-April-2001 

What a Trip. 35-45 knots through 4 m swell it made trying travel for all on board. We left Kawau 7.30am and rounded Cape Brett at around 2.30pm in the afternoon. We met the nastiest piece of confused sea around Cape Brett. We heard from Russell Radio that Tagit and Striker where due at Whanagaroa at around 4.00 pm this afternoon. Damage report on boat reported a hairline around opening to Flying Bridge. Moored at Pipi bay (Bay of Islands) we fished, picking up more healthy yellowtail and piper. Lovely meal tonight consisted of Snapper and J.D fillets and the customary couple of rums. Tomorrow night we anticipate spending at Tom Bowling. Heres hoping.  

14-April-2001 

We made it. That is Tom Bowling bay, and we even got in a game fish on the way up. We departed Pipi Bay 7.00am and arrived at Hohoura, via Cavallies and across Doubtless and around Cape Kari Kari , at close to 11.00 am. Refuelling at Hohoura we took on board approx 1000 litres diesel. Thanks to Hec at the Commercial Wharf.

North Cape served up 40 knots and a mixed sea on change of tide, once again Meridian was tested. Afternoon game fish saw 6 skippies landed, 1 of which we rated as being a king skippie, tipping the scales at over 6 kg.

Great news over the radio. Striker picked up 2 marlin this afternoon at Hoopers Point. Tomorrow we anticipate continuing our journey to the Three Kings departing at dawn’s crack; oops I mean crack of dawn. 

15 April 2001 

Sunrise at Tom Bowling and the crew were unhung over, eager and anticipating a good days fishing due to a favourable forecast. Departing Tom Bowling bay at daybreak, gear set and lures swimming well as we cleared the bay. Heading towards the Surville canyons to work the drop off on the way too Unkie's favourite, the Kings Bank. Numerous skippies boated, water temperature modest, birdlife scarce but crew remained quietly hopeful. 

20 miles off Nth Cape approaching King Bank the tempo increased, with birds wheeling and surveying the Meridian as it meandered through the slop announcing its presence. First hit, yellowfin. Upon boating the yellowfin, and in the process of clearing and indeed resetting gear, a frenzied and first marlin of the day leaped out of nowhere and attempted to take a suspended lure on the starboard rigger. That fish was hungry. Boat engaged in gear, marlin no 1 decided starboard rigger lure was not moist enough and she proceeded to cross the stern to nail port rigger lure. After a short sharp 20-min fight, the first striped marlin was tagged, estimated at 125 kg (Well done Black Snapper and Crew). 

Gear back in the water and Striker, Tagit, and others still focused on the Middlesex. Meridian Skipper Unkie, insists Kings Bank will fire again and low and behold we hook up again. This time the big fella Brams is in the chair. One and a half hours later we have beside the boat the second strippie of the day. Estimated130 kg. Still at the King Bank and after dark with a reasonable swell running and a breeze building, we decide broadie drift tonight can be postponed until tomorrow. Andy the Black Snapper and JB, your shout at the Kings tonight so off we steam to the Three Kings for a sheltered nights kip.  

16 April 2001 

A typical night’s sleep at the Kings. It rocked and rolled and all the crew including the Skipper enjoyed no more than maybe an hour of solid sleep. Therefore breakfast was prepared and consumed at yes the un-godly time of 4.00 am. Destination King Bank, we departed Three Kings not long after breakfast.  

We arrived King Bank before daylight and had lures set and swimming just on sunrise. The boys are pumped. First strike of the day, a feisty barracuda. Second strike an enormous hard fighting and stroppy specimen of seaweed. Well done JC, great action on the rod. After meandering the King Bank for the best part of the early morning, we decide maybe that a troll to Middlesex may be the go. Weather looking good and good reports from Zambucca and Striker on their broady drift last night certainly enhances our decision. 

Half way between King Bank and Middlesex the first Marlin hooks-up at 12.30pm and the fish stuck for a good 20 mins. After aerial acrobatics, a great show for the boys, this fish decided to part ways. Close inspection of the trace revealed a probable bill wrapped fish. Hard luck Unkie. 

Second marlin hook-up occurred 4.30pm and this fish did stick. At the boat an hour later, estimated weight 110-kg. Well done to Regain 

With broady marks from Steve Haddock (Zambucca) and 20 miles to cover before dark the Meridian set sail with keen anticipation for a comfortable, adventurous and hopefully productive broady drift. Arriving on sundown now close to 100m miles offshore the scene was set. 

First take after dark, phew and what a take. Something big, slow, mean and uncompromising almost hauling skipper Unkie and those around him in the blackness of the night. Saving grace may well have been the severance of the 400 pound moimoi leader. I have to say adrenalin runs high when you are miles from anywhere (110 miles north of North Cape). It is as black as and the man eating bities are ready to tango. Shark after shark, and we continue to churn the hooks and traces. I guess the best euphemism to describe the feeling, is to imagine fishing in a pond blindfolded, and barefooted for 100 kg piranha. Most eventful fish of the night were an estimated 140 kg mako landed by the infamous Brams at 3.30 a.m. and an estimated 120 kg mako landed by the Black Snapper, Andy Hellesoe on daybreak. Of all the hits during the night, we would say really only one bait returned show signs of a possible broady mouthing. Nonetheless, an adrenalin pumping, spooky experience, to have baits being munched and ratchets exploding into song, mono crackling to break the deadly silence as it disappears into the black abyss. 

17 April 01 

Today could only be described as phenomenal fishing; arguably the best days Game fishing many of the Crew aboard Meridian have and may ever experience again.

Remembering the crew had a rat shit nights sleep two nights ago and very little sleep today I guess we were all running on pure adrenalin. Today would prove the fortitude of each man as the tempo of the game increased. 

Makos tagged and released, boat cleaned and a quick breakfast consisting of toast and coffee, the Meridian and its twin Cummings fired into life to cover 40 miles and sea depths of up to 2000m to get back to the Middlesex.

As our lures performed a great display of synchronised swimming to the tune of Phantom of the Opera and Pavarotti, the water temperature rose to 20.6 c.

The scene was set as the sounder continued to show increased numbers of baitfish and just as the water temp. clicked up another notch our wake exploded.

A mahimahi pack attack. Cockpit in a frenzy and Barney not sure whether to go to the left or right rigger. With the remaining crew in lala land, Black Snapper works the Helm as Unkie and JC sort the cockpit to decipher the action. Order restored after alarm bells sounded. 3 mahimahi landed, and orders from the top handed out. Mark the event location, all hands on deck and work the area. Baitfish galore. The place to ourselves and a slight sea running with no time to relax. Meridian is Fishing Today’s HOT SPOT. 

Shortly after the mahimahi frenzy, we sustain an attack from twin albacore. That’s OK except the 2^nd albacore didn’t quite make it aboard Meridian. Before our very eyes it is engulfed by a predator higher up the food chain. Nailed as JC is in the process of settling in to recover nylon peeling off the Tiagra during the initial strike.  JC locked in the chair and attempting to disguise the Elvis smirk he often displays. He comments that maybe if the boat and the fish stop heading in opposite directions, he may have a chance of getting on the scoreboard with his first marlin. Sorry JC but not your morning, but good man for restacking the nylon on the Tiagra and recovering Unkies favourite lure. As Skipper Unkie retires to his onboard bait and tackle shop to re-crimp scarred leaders, and repair monstered fishing gear, bugger me we are under attack again.  

Barney's in the chair and on his first marlin, which is grey-hounding to the north. The Meridian crew is now starting to operate like a finely tuned machine. To the boat came a feisty strippie,  first of the day, tagged and  released not long after 11.00am. Congratulations to Barnie Boy on your first marlin.  

Gear back in the water, Brams steers Meridian back onto the hot spot, being the drop off on the top end of the Middlesex. It's loaded with baitfish and within 20 mins we are hooked up again. This fish is solid and it's grey hounding display supersedes all others on this trip. Unkie's in the chair, claims his first marlin of the trip after playing the fish stand up for 1hr and 10 mins. Furthermore he is delighted when measurements of the fish reveal length and girth of a striped marlin estimated 140 kg, his heaviest to date. This fish was tagged and released at 12.45. Almost instinctively Meridian heads back to the Mark. Propelled by its  twin 450 hp Cummings housed deep in its belly, the Meridian knows there is one crew member to go. Good luck JC. 

To the disbelief of the crew the port rigger fires and the Tiagra tune we have become so accustomed to today fills the air once again. After a 50 min battle, JC’s first marlin, an estimated 120 kg is at the boat. Well done JC. 

The crew on Meridian is ecstatic. All 6 of the crew, within 2 and a half days have been successful in boating a marlin. A truly remarkable achievement for Meridian and its skipper Wayne Unkovich. 

18 April 2001 

After celebrations last night and another restless night at the 3 Kings, the Meridian and crew head back to Hohoura via the Tom Bowling to pick up a few bugs. Although the day remains rather uneventful, there is a quiet feeling of contentment onboard Meridian, as the crew members evaluate the events of yesterday. It is unanimous. Solid and careful preparation of equipment and boat is imperative if you wish to come close to achieving positive results. ie. so far for 8 hits the Meridian crew has boated 6 marlin. 

19 April 2001 

Today’s events at Hohoura started with firstly refilling Meridians belly with another 1300 litres of diesel. Meridian steams from Hohoura down to Cape Karikari for the crew to fish the hotly contested Meridian One base Classic Snapper Only Tournament. With huge prize money ($30.00) at stake and the prospect of carrying the Meridian Snapper Classic King title, it is noticeable that participating anglers are approaching the task at hand very seriously. 

On arrival at the designated fishing spot, all anglers are briefed on the rules (That is there are no rules and the skipper is always right) and fishing commences right on time. The black snapper races out to a quick start setting a reasonable pace with 4 healthy specimens. However, he is quickly overtaken by Regain with what would likely be the winning fish. The variance in bait presentation varies from double pilchard sandwiches, pillie up the squidly, full mullet head, half pillies, full pillies and even in the last minute of the contest a peeled carrot. The tension on board Meridian is intense and amplified as the minutes tick over. Skipper Unkie registers his interest in the prize money, with a snapper of similar proportions to Regains. Anglers jockeying for the best angling position and not exchanging the normal niceties, the atmosphere is softened with the sound of the Beach Boys. As fish after fish are landed measured and returned to the sea, the pressure continues to mount. At 5.00pm the judicial committee announce stop fishing, stop fishing, stop fishing. Unbelievably the weigh in results in a dead heat. It is decided that although the prize money is split ($15.00 each to Regain and Unkie) the winning anglers are reminded that the prize money must be spent over the bar at Whangaroa tomorrow night. All in all a well patronised contest with a total 6 participating anglers. Remember it’s the quality not the quantity.                                                

 20 April 2001

Today we travelled form Hohoura down to Whangaroa, fishing an eventful afternoon with our first double hook up. Action had been reported off Karikari in 180m, so this fitted in well with our travels. Water temperature continued to rise. As it peaked at 23degrees, it did not take long for the first marlin to strike. Amazingly enough, Barney had less than 30 second to go in a half hour stint when the fish struck hard, screaming off with 300m of our mono and our black and purple lure. Brams at the helm, and in his traditional mischievous way, takes great delight in backing the boat into the 2 m following sea successfully flooding the cockpit and half drowning the crew.

The fish was at the boat 20 mins after hook up and this is when our single hook up changed to the double hook up I referred to before.

In the process of measuring the length and girth of the fish, a second hook decided to embed itself into the right thigh of Skipper Unkie, with the other hook still in the fish. Without the quick action of Regain and the Black Snapper things could have developed in a very nasty situation. Side cutters cut through the hook trace and the 110 kg strippie is tagged and released. It was then time to turn our attention to tagging and releasing our skipper. However length and girth reveal this specimen is less than 90 kg a it is decided to leave him hooked up, to be used as a live bait later today.

Into the Whangaroa Harbour, the Meridian carried its crew and injured skipper to get the necessary medical attention, and to quench the thirst.

Thanks to the Whangaroa club and especially John the mooring custodian for their assistance and hospitality conveyed to the crew of Meridian. Unkie has recovered well, and the crew did make it back to the boat that night. Yes and even the Black Snapper. 

In Summary 

I guess to sum up my view on fishing the Kings, you could say, you’ve got to be mad to go but madder not to go. Fishing at the Kings is as good as it gets. Meticulous preparation of all equipment is imperative and a mindful respect for the sea, both for the fish in it and the conditions it can impose without warning. It's been nearly 6 days since we rounded North Cape on our way home, however I still close my eyes and clearly see, smell and feel the awe of the wonderful playground which hosted me on board the Meridian. A final thanks to Unkie the Skipper and the Meridian. Cheers for having me on board.

Black Snapper

Andy Hellesoe