World record smallfry marlin for Lewis

Young Mangatawhiri angler Lewis Bodman had a couple of false starts before officially claiming his first marlin, but when it did finally happen, he did it in style landing an IGFA smallfry world record.

A mad-keen hunter, angler, and sportsman – described by his dad Kane as a ‘typical country kid’ – Lewis was fishing with his dad aboard the family’s seven-metre Surtees Pleigh Taxi between Mayor Island and Whangamata, when he hooked his third fish of the season.

“He caught one an hour earlier in the day and after I managed to get a wrap on the leader several times, we broke it off at the back of the boat when the fish took a last gasp shot at freedom, catching the line on the trim tab.”

It was the second time Lewis had tangled with a striped marlin. The first had been earlier in the season off the west coast when he hooked a fish that became tail-wrapped and died, requiring assistance to raise it.

Kane says on this more recent trip they were better prepared.

“Lewis had a better idea now of what to expect and we had sorted out his stand-up harness, so it fitted properly and did not end up around his legs.”

Father and son were running skipjack livebaits in around 85 metres of water on the Whangamata side of Mayor Island. There had been a patch of fish there for some time, producing some great results for many crews.

Kane says when they hooked their second fish for the day, everything went like clockwork.

“The fish stayed up close to the surface this time, making it easier for Lewis to gain line and keen pressure on it.”

To ensure there was not a repeat of the day’s first fish, Kane asked a mate Gavin Dyer who was nearby to jump on board and leader the fish, while he gaffed it.

After 40 minutes the fish was boated and when it was eventually weighed at the Mercury Bay club, it pulled the scales to 170.8kgs – which when ratified will be a new striped marlin smallfry world record, a NZ Sport fishing council junior 37kg and all tackle mark, as well as a club record.

Kane says to describe Lewis’ reaction as being ‘over the moon’ would be an understatement. He says while his son was excited about finally ‘officially’ landing a billfish, he gets just as big a kick out of his snapper and kingfish angling.

‘He just loves being out on the water and especially enjoys overnight trips.”

- Grant Dixon