I have looked at that 8lb Kahawai time & again. What an outstanding fish . Great to see.
Takes me back into another time. As a kid used to love catching Kahawai. Very light spinning gear back then,4lb-8 lb mono. The best Kahawai weighed went 8 and a half lb. 8lbers ,though by no means common often featured in the catch. Normal size 4-6 lb. Used a small slimy mackeral ,drifting as bait. This was Wellington Harbour and wellington West Coast.
So what has happened to those big Kahawai. They are found in no where the numbers they once were.
Noticed a general increase in Kahawai numbers in the inner gulf in recent years. until 3 years back. Suddenly those big Autumn schools i had come to expect were no more. Last Autumn i saw none ,and i travelled mile after mile on many occasion searching for them.
So what has happened. Are they being purse seined again or have they for some seasonal reasons followed a different path.
For me if the choice was snapper or fishing near a Kahawai workup,Kahawai would win the choice.
Re kermadec Kahawai. What are the noticeable points of difference compared to other kahawai.