A Kayak SBT – Another Greg Potter First

When you have caught a marlin from a kayak, you would think there was not a lot more to achieve from a paddler’s perspective, but then you haven’t met Greg Potter.

It was almost 12 months ago when Greg completed the herculean task in catching a striped marlin from his kayak, paddling off East Cape.

The following is another Greg Potter kayak fishing first, a southern bluefin tuna (SBT), shared with readers in the angler’s own words…

’It's almost a year since I caught a marlin from my kayak and I was getting the itch to embark on another game fishing adventure.

In mid-January, when I heard that southern bluefin tuna were passing down the west coast of the North Island, I started to hatch a plan to catch one of these elusive fish. I first considered targeting this species in winter 2020 - the typical season you find SBT in New Zealand. However, given how far I would have had to paddle to find them on the east coast, the unpredictable weather off East Cape, and the large number of boats on the water chasing them, I decided the risks were too great and flagged that idea. This time was different though - boaties were catching them in a mere 18 metres of water! To me that sounded like a viable goal, although I knew it would still take a lot of work to achieve.

I first ventured down to Taranaki over January 22-23 to try my luck. In two days, fellow kayaker Tim Bertram and I paddled 80 kilometres along the coastline towing large hard-bodied lures behind our kayaks. Over a range of depths from 18m to 100m, we picked up several large snapper, kingfish, and even a solid albacore tuna along the way. But to our disappointment we returned home without an SBT.

I wasn't done yet though. Unbelievably, a second weekend of amazing West Coast weather presented itself and back down to Taranaki I went.

I paddled 50+ kilometres solo on Saturday, and landed numerous incredible fish, including two enormous blue mackerel - a first for me - but again no tuna. I woke up on Sunday feeling broken to say the least - I had severe rash from my PFD, not to mention my arms and back felt like they were made of lead - but I hadn't driven five hours south for nothing, so out I went. Twelve kilometres went by with not a fish or bird in sight. I was starting to feel like this was going to be a dud day of fishing. Then the water suddenly changed from a blue-green colour to a bright, crystal blue, and I spotted some birds sitting on the water just ahead of me. I paddled through them and shortly after, one of my lures got hit. The fight was on. After catching several dozen kingfish and kahawai during the three trips prior, I couldn't help but think this was yet another one. But then it took off; the line screaming off the reel like there was no tomorrow. This wasn't a kahawai or kingfish.

After 10 tense minutes of screaming runs and messy tangles had passed, I got my first glimpse of the fish - it was a tuna! But what species of tuna was it going to be? After another few blistering runs I got the fish within 10m of the boat again, and that's when I saw it - a bright yellow tail and the short pec fins - a giveaway that this was no albacore or skipjack; it was a southern bluefin tuna!

I couldn't believe my eyes and instantly began screaming with excitement. All that was left to do was gaff the fish, and I am notoriously bad on the gaff. But first swing was a clean hit in the gillplate and I swung aboard what I consider to be the fish of a lifetime - a magnificent 11.09kg southern bluefin tuna. The first one ever landed from a kayak in New Zealand waters - an achievement I am INCREDIBLY proud of.

That's another species ticked off my kayak-fishing 'bucket list'. Now... what's next.’