Big Blue For Kawailani

Some good skipper, angler and crew work produced what at the time was the biggest blue marlin for the Mercury Bay based Kawailani crew in mid-February.

Angler Warren ‘Donk’ George was in the chair when the 380.0kg blue marlin hit in 330 metres of water NE of the Alderman Islands, nailing the Bonze customised Violator lure run on the short corner.

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Warren says they saw the bite, which wasn’t that spectacular as far as blue marlin hook-ups go, the fish only showing itself only once the entire fight.

“There we not big leaping runs or quick changes of direction. Skipper Martin (Holmes) saw the size of the tail when it hooked up and knew it was a big one, urging the crew to get the gear cleared so we could get back on it,” Warren says.

Sharp deck work saw the gear out of the way, resulting in the fish never having more than 300 metres on the angler.

“We were well aware blues like to head deep and die and didn’t want that to happen so we worked hard to keep the fish as short as possible.”

Warren described the fight as ‘unspectacular.’ They had the fish to within 20-30 metres of the boat several times early on, but it dug in at this distance and proved hard to shift on 37kg tackle.

“I managed to work it in inch by inch, gaining a little then losing it over about an hour.”

A change of angle saw the angler get the leader within reach of wireman Tim Bowker who had to drop it the first time. With the leader in hand for a second shot, the instruction from the bridge was ‘don’t let it go’ and Tim didn’t, bring the big blue to the gaff after a one hour, 40 minute scrap.

Getting it on board was another mission, but with a bit of effort the job was done with the help of other crew members Alan Proctor and Brent Brisk.

“The fish wasn’t particularly well hooked, the point not going in past the barb. The way the leader lay around the fish was holding it in place, so it was just as well it didn’t put on a performance on the top.”

While this was a great fish, it won’t make it into the record books, the Mercury Bay club’s 37kg blue marlin mark standing at 393kg, caught by Mick Elwood aboard Immigrant.

Warren says they smoked the fish which was shared among family members and friends. When asked, after such a good catch, what might possibly better it, the angler joked that ‘form was only temporary, while class was permanent’ – so watch this space!

- Grant Dixon