Adam, raise some interesting points, I don't think that there are the numbers of black marlin, here in NZ as there were in the early days and I don't think its the methods of fishing that is the reason, Blacks will take a lure just like any fish will.
The reason I say this, is the 04 season was probably the best year in which you would of seen any numbers of Blacks caught, most if not all the marlin that were caught in the Tauranga , Whakatane waters were caught inside the 100m mark, mainly 75 to 85m, live baiting & trolling and there was a ****load of marlin caught (stripes that is).
With that amount of fishing pressure in shallow water, you would think there would of been a massive jump in stats towards black marlin sightings and hook ups.
I think that if your on a mission to catch a black you will catch one, but you would probably have more luck on a sword deep drifting a likely area.
Same thing really.
Quote: Originally posted by Saltiga on 14 June 2006
whats rule one BA
Never do the horizontal Mamba with anyone crazier than yourself.
Since no one is crazier than BA rule 1 is superflous
On a more serious note Vanuatu seems to hold more blues than blacks and stripies come a distand third. Can one of you clever people explain the reasons why this might be?
Of the 9 fish I lost before finally getting a Black at least another two were called as blacks by kerren and the skipper Corky with the rest being Blues No stripies at all
Stripeys don't like it when their bath water gets too hot, I reckon. When I fished Phuket all the marlin were blacks, no stripeys and no blues (although the longliners fishing way offshore did pick up a few).
Re targeting the buggers yes they will definitely eat lures, Alan Jorion's 1000 lb black came on a lure, tho you might get a few funny looks trolling big lures on heavy tackle close in... Bait fishing obviously works, its best if you're on a known fishy spot somewhere like the Astrolabe.. You can't catch what ain't there though, you guys would have a better idea than me what the odds really are. Personally I think I'd far rather target blue marlin, seems like you've got a better shot at hooking up, plus you could hook up with other stuff like stripeys, mahi, YFT etc. Get a few mates together and the fuel costs become almost bearable. Just make sure that although they can crank in the 80 lb YFT that jumps the stinger lure or a 20 lb mahi, but when the long corner finally comes crashing down and the 80W goes into overdrive they get the hell out of your way!!
Quote: Originally posted by Saltiga on 14 June 2006
whats rule one BA
Learn how to spell does.......Doesnt apply to BA
Just kidding BA.
Interesting stuff Roddy, the schools of Kahawai around the cape and off stevies may have decreased alot but during the season at times there are still good trev schools, english mack schools and large skippie schools which I would think would satisfy the odd Black. I guess with faster boats people generally shoot past these close areas and dont bother fishing for the "odd" Black, but Im pretty sure the numbers have decreased so maybe the other things you say are right and are the main factors.
Dustin, it is a lot easier to target Blues here you are right, some seasons(at times) and even last season for a few weeks I think Blue strikes almost out numbered Stripey strikes, we have alot of offshore canyons and seamounts that if there have been reports of Blues around then you can target them pretty easily(well as easy as targeting +500lb fish can be). But we have got +300kg Blues before but not a +300kg Black so that has become a target for me in our waters, an AC fish of 430kgs would do just fine.
Adam, this has been one of my interests over the last few years. Due to having to maximise fishing time we've been targeting the "money" fish. But as soon as my 'Big Wednesday" comes through, you'll be seeing me working in close from The Taheke to the Brett.
The fish are there and do get seen quite regularly during the season. Every year there is one or two pulled out of the Bay area, but most of these wouldn't be on record. Due to the distance to travel from Doves Bay to Paihia to weigh, they generally just end up in Ken Wrights smokehouse.The most recent being Aaron Simpsons' which was est.@ 180 to 190kg. Now for the record, he caught 8 stripies and 1 black all in the 90 to 110 line, pin on Howe.So, in respect to the figures, the odds weren't that bad.
Talking to the old charter skippers, like Roy Collett (Sapphire), the lines they use to run were way in close. Lion rock, Tapuaetahi, Hansens, nine pin, bird etc.. . I agree that the feed is not there like it use to be, but i also think that we're not productively and regularly fishing these areas enough to find the true numbers.
There are areas on the west coast which show great potential, and these i hope to get a good blast at this upcoming season.(not long now.....
)
Yeah I heard Aaron got one on Donahues this year, I think about a week before we tagged one of similar size, he does real well in "Fisher2" aye, seems to fall over a marlin every time he goes out. How did Ken on the "Ilex" go this year?Or was he to busy smoking fish for Aaron. Roy Collett, hmmm I remember his daughter from School....hmmmmmm....well she was back then anyway. So you think maybe its an area thing, but up off Whangaroa there are still alot of slow boats that troll over the close grounds on the way out and in, just like they did back then such as "Diomedea", "Lady Margaret", "Lord Grant", "Little John" etc, yet when was the last time one of them got a Black in close, last may have been Lady Lucks 315kg fish on the North Ground in 96? Maybe Snooks is the man to see.
What boat do fish on Sumo?
Snooks is definately the man to see and Dossy Sanderson knows how the Whangaroa reefs work. Spent many hours picking peoples brains on this topic will get to put it in to action one day.
We have "strike one" but spent this year on the west coast on "mainlander" and was privileged to be part of the "got em on" escapades over there.
Fished with Aaron on it before talking me old man into buying it(cheaper that way).
Keep up the investigation on this topic, as i know it is a passion of a few of us.
By the way, i agree entirely about the fruitcake thing and his even nuttier breakdancing sidekick.
Yes apologies Kezz, I,ve seen your chandals... . What is your opinion on our numbers though. Although uncomparitive to the GBR, there seem to be places that do hold blacks,HicksBay? I recall a few horses from that area in the not so distant past.
I wondered how long it would be before you chimmed in with some dribble about the Barrier reef Kezza. The problem is they are an addictive fish and this year brought back surpressed memorys of the Barrier reef and now the addiction has returned.
PS I think more granders have been caught on swimming scad than any other bait. Elephant\peanuts I guess.
Spring wind the handbrake. Spring is starting to make its presence felt in the outer... Read More >
Early snapper in Tasman Bay. Well, spring is finally here, and the days are getting... Read More >
Good snapper catches reported. After Tangaroa turned off the fish tap for a month or... Read More >
Pacific bluefin tuna for the lucky few. The last fortnight has seen more fishable days... Read More >
Major Bites
Minor Bites
Major Bites
Minor Bites
Forum Topics
New Posts
Search
FAQ
Register
Login
Topic Options
Post Options
Likes(0)
