Sorry for the slow response, I only had my phone with me on holiday, and I only use that for checking Facebook and Email...and occasionally doing phone calls! Strange but True!

There are separate application processes for NZ and International records, because the records are administered by two different organisations. There is quite a bit of information to be recorded on each application form, and also requires samples of line for testing, etc. So until all that is received reviewed and line tests complete, record applications are referred to as pending. It usually takes a few weeks for NZ records, but IGFA can take much longer, up to 6 months in some cases for no apparent reason. They certainly won't be any quicker with international shipping on a go slow.

Boated on day 4 of the Nationals. 180m south of the Hook

Waiting to hear the results as it took 17 hrs to land it!

Was lucky enough to pin a stripey yesterday about 5nm north of 'The Hook'. A first for our Extreme 745 Centre Console and a real cracker day on the water. It took the shotgun which we'd run about 90m out and the lure was a custom one that Luke Davis had made up for me last season - blue/white/silver saury colours.

The light gauge hooks did the trick and it wasn't getting away - one hook in the side of the lower jaw and the other in the roof of its mouth. Another couple or 3 tagged between Cuvier and the Aldies and 3 blues caught too but a lot of boats out so not what you'd call hot fishing - more about being in the right place at the right time.

The 745/Honda 250 combo is a wicked fishing boat and the combo of being able to turn on a dime along with the ability for the angler to move freely around the boat is more than a bit handy. This stripey had been working out and was both agile and unpredictable. Fortunately, the water was like crystal and we were right on it when he made several sudden changes in direction and decided it might be a good idea to check out the other side of the boat!

Steve Williams was doing the winding and Dan Given (Balex) was running the deck and taking pix & video. We managed to dig a GoPro out of a camera bag and Dan did an amazing job of getting a few clips by leaning over the side  - good long arms on that lad thankfully!  A great day out with top lads in perfect conditions -  that's hard to beat.

Excellent! Great looking fish too.

Stripeys love a Saury...