Arrived in Port Vila Vanuatu a few weeks ago to big news. Anthony Honeybone was leaving the country to return to NZ and decided to go for a free dive spearfish out at the FAD before packing up his gear.

He travelled out with Darren Sheilds and local Richard Harris. Dropped some cubes, got in and not long after Anthony speared a nice mahi. He was very excited so down they went again. Darren shot a small yellowfin and as the fished peeled off this large dark form loomed up and out of nowhere chasing the yellowfin.

It had a long bill and roared straight at Darren after the fin and at the last minute peeled off just infront of him. Anthony was positioned just behind Darren and only just caught sight of the marlin at the last minute and just managed to get a shot off.

This shot was enough to secure the fish as it headed for the bottom and the bungy ripped off (fast). Anthony just had time to attach another bungy before the first one stretched out and the game was on.

Anthony was towed around for an hour he tells me with him having to load and reload his own guns several times to be in contention for a record.

Finally the fish was subdued. but only one problem. The fish was not going to fit in to their boat. Radio call is sent out and Capt. Peter Phillips on the game boat Jay R comes along to lend a hand. By now it is late afternoon and Pete has a full rack of charter clients onboard as the marlin gate is opened and the fish loaded up for a return to port.

But for Capt. Pete the fishing day is not over so the trolling gear goes back into the water. He calls me on the phone as says he will be 45 minutes into port given the size and wight of the marlin on the deck.

20 minutes I get another call to say they have just hooked up on a marlin and will need to review the ETA. Ok I say.

15 minutes later my phone goes off again and it's Pete telling me they have tagged the marlin and are now close to home.

Pending record marlin arrives into port just on dark and Jay R is reversed into the harbour front where the speared marlin is carefully unloaded under the supervision of Anthony who is more excited that a kid in candy stored. Official weigh scales are set up and the fish hoisted. Weight? 267.7 kg of pacific vlue marlin. Previous world record on spear for the same species? 67 kg.

What a might effort and congratulations to Anthony of his pending record. I hope to post a few pics shortly.

More details can be obtained from Capt. Pete Phillips at http://www.vanuatufishing.com

these guys are getting crazier by the minute next it will be a great white or tiger shark...

well anyone that spears a Marlin that big has to have balls is all i can say, congrates Mr A Honeybone......

glade it didnt do some grey hounding over the ocean you may never had landed if it had.... 

Ok here is the marlin pic just after the official weigh in. One of the spears can still be seen in the fish.



Incidentally, while this was a once in a life time moment, Anthony tells me he would never do it again.

Wouldn't weighing the fish with a spear still in it be a problem if you want to claim a record?

sweet