The weather gods have played fair this summer and Saturday was no exception. 3 knot variables and -.25m swell.

Leigh reef was the target and a small crew was assembled for the assault.

0700 on the water and a quick paddle out to the Old Man for livies followed by a gentle stroll out to the reef with a non-compliant 25cm Trevally in tow as a kingfish appetizer.

The birds were working the whitebait schools and kahawai/rat kings were busting the water regularly. It was gonna be a f**kin ripper!

but as these things often do, it never really got going....4 hours later, after about 100 jig drop & retrieves and 25 plastics lost to the greeblies the patience was wearing a little thin.

We had about 100 kings of various sizes from 40cm up to about a meter regularly buzzing the yaks, but they had only managed to scare my livies to death so far and no takes. The guys with me had a few catch & release Kings, but i was still on a duck by 1130.

I saw a school of Koheru below my boat and strung up some no. 12 Sabiki's with a 5" Pink Shine as weight to drop on them and try & get a 'real' livie. No go immediately so i dropped the line to the bottom.

Then all hell broke loose.  The line came up tight, s hoot like hell and aimed for the horizon, Profish in tow.

I wasn't prepared to be hit by a king while the Sabiki’s were on and played it very very smooth. Reduced drag significantly and just used the curve of the rod to pressure the fish up.

It is by far the longest battle I've had in the yak and my savage/Exceller combo performed admirably. the only problem was that about half way up the fish changed. Suddenly I wasn't being pulled to Chile, I was on an up & down struggle, which i was actually winning bit by bit.

The water clarity was exceptional, about 10m vertical, so I was peering over the side trying to see what was coming in.....still too bloody deep.

The fear was if I apply any more pressure the sabiki mainline would part (10lb mono....sh*t!!)

After some more cajoling and gentle lifts the last 10m were given up far too easily by the fish and finally a, what, a Snapper!!! lay beside the boat. It was easily my best form the yak and immediately looked 20+

I had no gaff, but by this time he was wasted and was no problem to bring aboard. Any thought of release was dismissed by the distended bowel and swim bladder and the fact he'd come out of 30m.

It finally weighed in at 9.68kg or just under 22lb and is my best snapper (and first 20) in 14 years - that is one hell of a long time between drinks!!

Look at that sea wish it was like that yesterday!!