Now with all neighbours present and all keen fisho’s a plan was hatched while the fridge emptied,  let’s hook up and go fishing.

Next morning Nick and I have the boat loaded and await the company of others but seems their supervisors had other ideas,  something to do with lawns and BBQ’s with their extended family.  Oh well two up’s ok and off we went before our supervisors had other ideas.

Arrived in Whitianga, couple of beers a meal and hit the bunks ready for an early start.  The drive down providing plenty of time to discuss what we were going to catch and what our plan was.

0530hrs we’re at the bakery and hit the water chasing livebaits,  other trips we had the tank full in no time but today took a bit more concentration and searching.  It was a bleak and drizzly morning and while having been cooked by the sun over the past few days neither of us really packed any warm gear, oh well harden-up.  Finally we had enough and headed off into a steady but confused and lumpy swell.   The further out providing a steady swell with a bit of a breeze and finally we arrive at the pins north of the Aldermen’s,  baits away.

Game on and over the next couple of hours we plucked a few 15kg plus beauty’s on board keeping two as that was all that would fit in the Tuna bag.   Now here I must mention that while I’ve always been keen on fishing it is only in the last couple of years I’ve been more serious and looking at the gear I use.  Nick on the other hand is well experience in a lot of techniques and has been a great source of information and education.   While we won’t admit to having a competition it somehow ends up that way.

Anyway we’re now into mid-afternoon and the kingy’s are dropping off the bite,  another two livey’s are deployed and the concentration is immense.   Few signs on the sounder and I’m focused feeling the line as I lower it down.   Twitches are increasing I’m at 30mtrs,  sorry mate but you’re going deeper, 40mtrs,  a couple of tugs,  choice I think while quietly saying to myself “don’t strike”.   WTF,  she’s a biggy,  my live-bait that is but how can it lift that sinker.   My line is now looking limp,  I start winding it in slowly,  a bit of pressure comes on,  yep I’m hooked.   Now I’m thinking phuk and I say to Nick here comes a jumper,  bloody Marco’s.

We both stand looking at my line now rising rapidly and pressure building.   Then bugger me a bill starts to show followed by a big head, some colour and bit of tail walking.   “Marlin” we both called and I’m on.  Now Nick never gets his line out of the water for me but today all rods were carefully thrown into the cabin and the deck cleared,  this was part of the plan but not on the smaller of my jigging rods which the bail arm had broken on a previous drop.

Lines peeling out,  the reels screaming and we’re into battle.   It’s over the next hour or so we both think great,  now what do we do,  especially when we got it alongside at one point,  suddenly Nick’s boat felt a lot smaller (6.1 Surtees) and so did we.   A call was made to one that didn’t come but had landed a marlin before,  whether Nick was after actual advice or just to wind him up I’m not sure but a few tips were passed over.   Now Nick being the caring helpful type did offer me a knife, a beer and various other forms of support.   After about 1.5hrs of long runs and spectacular jumps I made a mistake and took one hand off the rod for some rest,  cramps were starting.  This was a mistake as now my hand was closed and I couldn’t open it so the rod was passed over to one with a big grin.

One hand on the wheel and we’ve now swapped rolls,  small problem my hand has now cramped on the wheel.   It’s now that I realise since I’ve given up the rod I’ll have to grab the trace and that’s at the end with the club.   Anyway Nick’s on for another 3/4hr or so and we figure out a way to wear the beast down,  we’re down to 20mtrs, 10mtrs, the PR knot shows, my turn again,  I grab the trace and start pulling and we get it alongside.   What a big bill you have,  anyway here it was and after having it alongside for a minute or so I couldn’t reach the bill the kingy hook rolled out and we lost it released it.   We watched as it gently swam alongside and glided back to where we had interrupted its day,  what an awesome sight.

It was now approaching 1800hrs,  we said goodbye and headed for home re-hydrating.  Nick sits down to drive and finds his not so fresh livey sitting at his feet from his prompt clearing of the deck.    Arriving back we’re greeted by the motel owner who asks how we went and the story was told.   Shower and headed off for something to eat while they were open.   Quick scoff couple of beers and time to wonder back, walking past the ramp we stop to see how others had got on as it was dark and surely this late meant they had a good catch.  They asked about us,  story time again of which they replied,  “so you’re the two” bugger me news travels fast,  we were legends in our own minds and world famous in Whitianga.

Anyway, bunks were calling and wasn’t long before lights out that night.  Finally get the body moving and we’re off,  bakery and livey’s.   Didn’t take long to fill the tank and we’re able to head out earlier with some good large baits.   The swell was gentle and the chop on top had eased so it was a good gentle muscle loosener on the trip out.   We arrived,  bit more of a crowd today.   Found a spot and we’re on,  quite proud of one I had but with no blood and a clean hookup had Nick grinning as he released it for all to see.   Then Nick lands a good solid 20 plus one,  bugger no pressure.   Couple more drops and we seem to have something playing with our baits but no runs, just large taps or thumps.  

Choice Nicks hooked the bottom that’s him out the way for a while.   Hang on we’re in 100mrs and he’s only got out 40 plus.   As each swell passes by the rod bends and straightens,  he’s locked up with max drag on a PE5.  Then a couple of small but solid shakes and the lines just peeling out slowly,  20mtrs gone.  Same again sits still then swims effortlessly, another lot of line out,  this having Nick on his knees the short rod jammed on the rail with his hands underneath and the other end in the water, lovely,  my turn for some useful tips and advice.   Typical,  after my effort yesterday Nick just has to hook something bigger.   This time he broke,  I grabbed the rod, braced myself,  knees on the gunnel, back straight, I’m ready.  Then it simply powers up, more line gone and snap goes the braid.

Oh well bugger this live baiting we’re off trolling some plastics, much easier.  Did this for a while before heading in and heading home.

Home and shattered by 1930 and the neighbour comes over to check out our stories over a few ales.   Photos he asks,  no need check this out we got his autograph,  bill marks on the side and it’s now Nick notices it’s a “M” for marlin.  Choice