Matai bay madness.

The 12 a clock nock on Friday saw a group of four (two of which spearo’s) mission it to the unexplored country of Northlands Karikari peninsula. Upon arrival we dropped off excess gear at camp and eagerly launched the boat into the mesmerizingly clear water. 1st dive along the coast to the east of matai saw superb vis. An absolute joy to dive in. Checking awesome cray cracks and holes produced nothing ( a lot of pots about ) and our burleys also produced nothing. One alright kingfish was seen briefly. We then checked out a lone rock straight out from camp. Good amounts of trevally, kahawai, demoiselle and blue mao mao were seen. Several snapper were seen also but only one good one that remained out of shooting distance. I managed a nice pink mao mao around the 21m deep. Back to camp we headed, craving a dive in some more unexplored country the following day.

Excellent conditions were had. Briefly checking out the lone rock we saw smallish kingies which were left. We Then Headed North and checked out some islands. My mate wanted a kingie so hung around in the large mackerel, kahawai and trevally schools. I went and hung around in the rocks looking for a cray. Missing one I made it around in between a couple of small islands and and one larger one. With a boulder covered bottom I was checking it out meticulously. When all of a sudden I see a big fish go underneath a big boulder. Thinking it was a porae, I went and investigated this fish without much effort put into covering my silhouette. Looking ahead a see a honking big snapper with three fish swimming with it. Turning side on it stopped and presented well. I put i shot in the head, a little low for a kill shot but it was definitely a good hold. After a bit of a fight I was bear hugging and ikiing it. Swimming to the boat and getting the boatman to help me pull it up, I was unaware of its size until it was out of the ocean. Stunning fish. Excitement all round, especially after weighing. Plenty of photos commenced of the fish I believe to be a once in a lifetime capture

Cracked the magic 30 mark :D

Cheers guys.