Auckland Yakkers

At least you were where they are Shaneg. That's doing a heap better than many if not most. Gotta just be a matter of time if you are already in the right spots. I won't ask where that was, but was wondering the other day if they come in fairly close at night to feed, given they must have pretty good eyesight and mullet are sometimes found in their stomachs.

Do you know what bait that marlin was chasing? Every now and then when I catch a big kahawai I'll stick a big circle in it and tow it around to get a feel for towing bigger livies. Have been told marlin will take smaller baits too, but I figure it is good to get used to towing bigger baits from the kayak just in case a skippy is all I can find. A kahawai isn't going to mimic it very well, bc the KY are reasonably subdued when towed, but just getting a feel for the weight and drags needed. I can feel the bigger ones pulling the stern around a bit and I was thinking about what you guys were telling me a few posts back - will I feel a billfish swiping to maim the bait. Am not sure I will be able to distinguish that from general livie movements. Perhaps will only feel it get a bit spooked just before it gets hit.

Oh, and service guys are saying nothing wrong with the newer speedmasters, so, top of the wish list they go, except seems like they are made of unobtanium and almost every store is sold out. Was hoping to get one to play with and get used to over Winter.

*edit* hangs head in shame.* The other day when I took the neighbour out I thought he got sharked. I saw his rod load up with a good fish and it looked like the line went ping. I didn't stop to check it out at the time bc the water was erupting around us, wind had just got up and I wanted to get him on a kingi ASAP, so as soon as I landed mine and paddled over I put another livie on my rod and swapped with his.

Well, given that he is keen and capable, I headed to the shed this morning to clean up a rod and reel combo he can call his own and took a look at the sharked line. No trace left, and I can see a few flattened type of spirals in the end of the braid. First time I've ever tied a bad Fg knot...and it had to be when someone else was going to use it and miss their first ever 'big' fish. I've already tendered a grovelling apology.

KF bait Marlin were chasing could a been few different types... as in weekend I saw all types  in one large  area. There were anchovies , sauries, skippies ( both small ones, and super sized ones) and blue koheru... (went over one very big school of thoseJ , and large flying fish were also around. Marlin will eat baits of all sizes.  Part of problem was the marlin with so much bait are likely well fed not so interested in lures. I livebaited  in afternoon both sunday and yesterday and towed lures in morning. Used a big skippy on Sunday and a small skippy yesterday. No hits and likely wrong area, slowed trolled them, outboard just in gear.