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Hi Geoff, have you seen swell map this Friday, Saturday. Half a metre and light easterlies. I'll touch base Thursday night.
Thursday - "Looking good, meet you in Mokau mid day Friday and will try for a new PB."
Friday - Met up with Geoff and his wife at their home. A right little slice of paradise with stunning views of the coastline and surrounding hills. We got the boat and gear set up at Geoff's place before heading off at 2pm. At the beach we were greeted by a small swell and flat sea's behind. After getting out the little Mac was positioned in 10 to 12 metres and big baits with big hooks were deployed. Geoff started catching some gurnard and kahawai on his Sabiki rig while I was catching jack macs and some small snapper, thanks to Uncles sabiki rig. After a couple of hours the big snapps had failed to show, so the call was made to head a little deeper. After only 10 minutes at the deeper spot the stray lines started to get "some interest", as Geoff would say. A few fish were landed weighing 3 to 5 kg, then my line went tight and the reel starts making that sound we all love. "It's a biggie" says Geoff as he pats me on the back. Big head nods and several runs later a snapper arrives from the deep. Later weighing in around 7.5 kg, a few more fish were caught and released before it was time to head in. A clean up, a few beers and a lovely dinner prepared by Geoffs wife, Haydee.
Saturday - We got up Saturday to a very flat sea and a light easterly. A nice easy launch through the swells and we're off. This time we headed south down coast. Was today the day i would get a PB. Once again we sat and loaded up on bait fish, while the stray lines were poised. After 3 hours, 1 3 kg snapper had graced the bin. Geoff had mentioned that the fishing is always hard around a full moon. A little bit of interest was shown in the big baits but nothing was sticking. "So what else can we blame it on Geoff", "full moon and the bananas we just ate". No sooner had i said the words and my line started to track back under the boat. "Only the biggies do that said Geoff". I struck at the fish after waiting a few seconds and off it went. The Saltegia whistled a tune, the rod tipped bounced with every head shake. After a 5 minute fight , up she came. It wasn't quite the magic number we were after but I was very happy to say the least. Another 7.5 kg model.
A big thanks to Geoff and Haydee for their hospitality and great company. This bloke really knows his stuff about catching big snapps and his photographic records are simply amazing. It is truly an awesome fishery in Mokau and beautiful part of the country. I would also like to thank the forum and it's creators. Without the forum, I would never have met such a legend of NZ fishing. As Arnie would say, "I'll be back".
Cheers Craig