This years comp was fished out from the Mullet Point area in the Hauraki Gulf on Saturday and Sunday. I hooked up the FC390 and chugged out to Kawau with my mate G keeping an eye out for birds.
By 8.00am it was raining gannets close in with the thick schools of kahawai jumping on the boat. We kept the first 6 for Bon fire Bob to smoke up, the 7th we put out on a balloon, and the 8th kept for bait.
By 9.00am we had no luck on the livey so we pulled anchor and went for a soft bait drift returning a few pannies for the nights feast. Saphire Shines and Bruised bananas working best...
By 10.00 the wind kicked up so we tucked in close to some kelpy rocks and anchored. I bought some strayline rigs for $2 at the $2 Shop in Silverdale last week for a laugh when I took the kids costume shopping for Halloween.
So I sheepishly hooked the $2 pre-tied strayline rig on my shimano bait runner and sent a big slab of fresh kahawai down into the kelpy wash.
My rod doubled over with no head shakes..."Bugger, Im snagged" so I start yanking in every direction to try and loosen the snag but then I got 2 massive rod nods in return!
"G! I think I got a donkey on.." At that point all my faith was on the "Jiggle Lure" as the packet suggested..
Got the fish up to the surface, and its head popped out about 5 mtrs from the boat. It awoke at the boat as we frantically danced around the tinnie to try and net the beast. "Net the bloody thing!" I said.
"Just take your time bro!" was G's reply...
He finally gave up the fight and as G went to net the fish the handle broke due to its weight and size. The fish had one more chance at freedom, but G had to ditch the handle and scoop him in like he was panning for gold...
Its a stonker... 20.8 and Im finally in the Club! A few pics and a kiss, and dropped him back to his reef to live on.
Awesome weekend with some good mates, the FC390 and a dance with a 20 pounder on a $2 lure.
Back to the bach via Challenger to grab some mussels and a catch up with the other lads for a feast. Stoked.
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"There was an old man from Brussels,who was hooked on Opotiki mussels...