Capt Mike decided to go hapuka/seabass in deep water on the third day.
I thought he would go to King Bank for mix of hapuka and kingfish we we did in 2005 and 2007. But he ran the boat 3 hours to the different spot. We fished 250 meter ( 750'). We used to catch big hapuka and bass in 150 meter water after fishing kingfish on top of the bank.
we got 50 - 60 lb bass, but mostly were small hapuka or bluenose.
I asked Mike why he had to run so far for hapuka/bass. He said hapuka/bass were wiped out on the Banks by commercial fishermen. Sad story.
I tried to use 26 oz glow hammered diamond jig for the light Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch rod/JM PE6 reel. It is mismatch for fish 250 meter with such a light setup, But it worked.
The problem was the glow jigs attraced small fish like rosie.
John got about 15 lb hapuka and I had about 25 lb bluenose with the setup.
We stayed there almost until 2:00 pm and I suggested to go for kingfish. It was about 2 hour run to King Bank.
We had decent catch of kingfish there. The Pursuit joined us and fished next to us.
John fighting a decent hapuka using the Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch rod/JM PE6 with 26 oz jig. It was rule to wear a skirt for anglers and that day was John's turn.
The heavy glow jig attracts small fish.
Tony's big bass on a jig
I got bluenose using Black Hole Cap Cod Slow Pitch rod/JM PE6 on 26 oz jig in 250 meter ( 750 ft).
John fighting a kingfish using 250g Black Hole Cape Cod Special rod/Stella 20000 combo. He broke handle of 10000 Stella the other day while fighting a big kingfish.
Murray got his personal best kingfish.
fighting a kingfish using Black Hole Cape Cod Slow Pitch rod/IRT600 reel.