A PB Snapper close to home before the lockdown

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    Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 2:38pm
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So, I left Bucklands Beach on the 18.03.2020 for a mad dash solo fish after work. Bloody glad I did! I very almost didn't in the predicted wind against tide conditions....

I loaded up on Jack Macs and 30 odd cm Kahawai on the way out on sabikis in short order , which were balling up and feeding on large clusters of Anchovies and tiny Pilchards.

I anchored up about 6pm with the predicted northerly opposing the tide, which obviously is never ideal for straylining... Fortunately the northerly wasn't strong and I anchored from the back of the 5 meter side console (it's perfect for those tricky conditions as you can cast in any direction without obstruction).

I had some ridiculous runs on big baits that stole the bait, or hooked up hard, peeled some good string and then pulled hooks consistently throughout the session. I did manage to land a few less substantial double digit Snaps in the process.

I persevered and managed a PB 26 pound 3 ounce 84cm Snapper on the last whole Kahawai! Very well conditioned fish from the head to tail, and pretty much looked like a big "panny". The Snapper came to the surface in the 6 odd meters of water, about 20 meters from the boat. It was shaking it's big head trying to shake the hooks out, and then remained on the surface to about a meter from the boat! Once at the boat it went on several strong but short line ripping bursts, but never left sight of the boat in the process! It absolutely saturated me with it's big tail surges three times in a row! That's what Kingfish usually do to me!

My phone went flat as I went to take a photo, and the hook was damn near impossible to get out, so I decided to take this fish to get mounted. It will join my 24 pounder on the wall in a year or so time (Paddy from Waiheke busy as usual and this lockdown scenario).

Bloody stoked to get this fish in shallow water and in the inner Gulf, and just before the lockdown!

I actually managed to release another 20 pound plus Snapper from the same spot when I was there two weeks prior. There are still some very big Snapper to be had not far from home in the big smoke....

Cheers fellas, stay safe and sane till this lockdown passes!

Johnny
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote JustAnotherSpearo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 2:42pm
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Top notch write up - you beauty!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 2:47pm
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Cheers mate. I don't usually put time aside to post trip reports, but no excuses at the moment...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 2:47pm
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Some meat in the freezer Thumbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 2:49pm
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Yeah mate, won't be eating that one though! Unless this lockdown blows out big time....
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote feeder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 3:44pm
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Nice fish

Cheers
The only bar to frequent is the Kawhia Bar
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Catchelot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 4:08pm
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Very well done JWClapClap
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Snappa Geoff Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 4:13pm
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Congrats on PB Johnny! Can't beat the big fresh baits Straylined in the Shallows. Thumbs Up Beer
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Legacy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 4:21pm
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Awesome bro
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 4:39pm
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Cheers guys!

Yep, sure can't beat a big, dirty strayline session when it comes to Snapper fishing 👍
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Muppet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 4:40pm
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Old news ;-) Well done again!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Telecaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 8:24pm
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What a fish!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2020 at 8:36pm
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Cheers Telecaster
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2020 at 8:18am
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Haha Muppet, it was only last week mate lol
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kaveman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2020 at 9:34am
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Well done Johnny, great write upThumbs Up

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2020 at 10:41am
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Cheers Kaveman! Not even looking at the forecasts now.....
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Johnny Watson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 9:51pm
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Are there still a few people out there catching trophy snaps or kings or both in the inner gulf that anyone on here knows of? Be interested to see if there's still a few being landed in close these days.
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