Well, it's the end.
An excellent time has been had over the last month. All my fishing tokens have been used up and prizes have been won. I've ticked off most of the commonly caught inshore species, Snapper, Trevally, Blue Maomao, Kawahai, Kingfish and Skipjack Tuna. Along with the various baitfish that are so abundant in these waters. It's been an eye opener to say the least.
A total of 7000 km have been travelled on both the south and north islands. I've fished a huge range of locations including massively long inlets to 22 nautical miles off shore. Targeting everything from four inch Yellow Eyed Mullet to the mighty Striped Marlin. I've met so many good people along the way who have been generous beyond their requirements!
My north island adventure saw me start in Paihia where I met the operator of the Alma G. If your not familiar with the vessel, she started it all off. Zane Grey started it all off here, introducing, writing and rewriting the book, literally, on big game fishing aboard her. I was unfortunate to receive an email, inviting me on a Marlin trip, half an hour after sailing. This would have been a mind blowing experience aboard a legendary vessel. Such is life, this was not to be. I was, however, given the opportunity to join a kayak tour of the local attractions as well as being treated to a dinner cruise in the Bay of Islands. This was, by far, the best meal I ate here. A starter of fresh mussels followed by a rack of New Zealand lamb. Delicious! These guys know how to cook and entertain, very impressive! All would have been made better with a trip on the Alma G, next time, I will follow in the steps of Zane Grey!
On returning to Auckland, a brief flurry of phone calls and emails saw me set for Tauranga to meet with Mick Forrest of The F-Spot Charters.
Mick runs a wide variety of guided fishing trips including salt water fly fishing, big game and land based tag and release shark fishing. I was to spend an undetermined number of days in his hospitality based a twenty minute drive from Tauranga itself. After rushing to arrive in time for the overnight trip on the 42 foot MG Sportsfisher, apprehension of seasickness kicked in. Twentyfour hours on a boat, twenty miles out to sea, how would I cope?
I was to be a deckie for the duration. As well as documenting the trip, which happened to be a stag do, I wanted to try to get some fishing in. This proved not to be a problem. As soon as we cleared the harbour, the trolling lures were set. At this point I had no idea what would be caught, I only knew the targeted species, skippies and Marlin. Within half an hour we were hooked up into some tuna. In New Zealand, skippies are mainly thought of as bait, 3-4 kg tuna, for bait! It mattered not what they were intended for, they give an amazing fight for their size. A sportsfish in their own right if caught on light gear. Not long before arriving at our intended fishing grounds, something bigger took one of the four lures we had out. FISH ON!! The other three fishless lures were quickly wound in, leaving the job of retrieving the hook up to the groom to be. Was it a Marlin? Five minutes in the line began to climb to the surface a distance off the rear of the boat, a sure sign of an impending breach. The fish was airborn. This time it was a Mako shark, not huge but still a sizeable fish. Another ten minutes of play and we had it at the rear. Approximately 80kg of angry shark, thrashing about, Mick made quick work of cutting it free. My first glimpse of what huge fish these waters hold. With it safely released, we reset the lures and carried on trolling.
Skippy after skippy followed skippy. Unfortunately, this was not our day to hook into a Marlin. With an increasing swell and decreasing light we headed for the relative shelter of Muir Island. As had another twenty boats. Into the darkness we continued fishing for mackerel, the intended live bait of the next day. Having filled the tanks with livebait, it was time to retire to my less-than-shoulder-width bunk. Sleeping was easier thought of than done. The winds changed direction and increased to an uncomfortable thirty knots. The pitching and tossing of the boat became too much, at five o'clock in the morning, we had to run to the other side of the island for shelter. The next day saw calmer seas thankfully. We set out, again on our way, trolling for Marlin. And again we hit shoal after shoal of skippies. Again, we set light gear to play them and have fun, we weren't disappointed. We arrived at a spot, we were assured, would produce Kingfish, and as promised, it produced Kingies. It's hard to get your head around how hard these fish fight. The legal limit is a staggering 750mm, approximately 6kg of pure pelagic muscle. Even on relatively heavy gear, it's still a struggle to stop them reaching the bottom and wrapping themselves, and the line, in a tangle of rocks. For their size, no UK fish comes close to the power of these silver bullets. After fun was had and a keepable fish was take, we headed to shore via a quick stop for a Paua dive. Paua are the famous native shellfish, prized for their iridescent shells and good eating. They have been heavily targeted in shallower coastal waters and, now, can be difficult to find keepable sizes. It was a perfect end to an, at times, rough trip.
This was just the first day fishing with The F-spot, next up, we have some more fun!
Stay tuned, there are more tales of glory and woe to come!
