February 7 2013. No posts for a while, forgot the log in!! Currently fishing in the Bonze Marlin Skins Tournament. The first full days fishing this season, due mainly to persistent southeasterly winds. Stop fishing was 4.30 today. Brian and crew kept fishing,and were rewarded with a small striped marlin - tag and released by Artie Jones. Should be a great day tomorrow!

It's all happening at Whitianga. Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club have weighed in these notable fish, as well as a good tag and release Blue Marlin.

Our turn soon. Well done to Penny for catching this great Black Marlin (later verified as a Blue). Peter and Penny were fishing by themselves, Penny took 2 hours to reel this fish in, it must have been a great bit of teamwork between Peter and Penny.

Classic Report

Fishing on Day one (Saturday) was forecast as 20 knot North Westerlies with 2 metre swells. We made the decision to delay the start, and left the harbour at around 11 am. We headed to Castle Island, and caught some kahawai for livebait. Craig Strawbridge caught a decent sized one, which we later weighed (2.605 kg).

We put the lures out at around the 70 metre mark, and got a few very small skippies to keep us entertained. Once out past the Aldermans the sea conditions got a little more ugly.

In fact by about 3 pm I'd had enough - the first time I can say this! The waves had no backs on them, which meant constant 'thumping' when going over the top. We trolled lures all the way back to the 70m mark (we went out to about 600m), picked up a decent sized albacore. We got back to shore around 8.30 pm.

The fish caught for the tournament were 104 kg striped marlin, with a couple tagged and released.

Day Two (to come)

The Classic

On Saturday the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Classic begins. It runs for three days. I can't wait! The weather is looking good. 10 days ago the forecast was for SE winds - (not good), but that has now changed to NW.

The Nationals is also on, they run from Saturday to Saturday. The MBGFC one base is next week to correspond with it, but we won't fish in the one base.

There are some BIG blues out there - Bring it on!

Tight lines.

Let the games begin!

It's been a busy year, Bounty Hunter has seen very little action, apart from getting trailer brakes fixed, and a touch up paint job.

This is all about to change - Bounty Hunter is back in Whitianga, and we're about to head there to.

There have been reports of yellowfin in the Bay of Plenty, and some seen behind the Mecury Islands. I suspect there haven't been many boats out chasing them, due to the weather, and perhaps a little less money around to spend on reconnaissance?

Our first trip will probably be in the Tuna Tournament on January 3 and 4. Can't wait!

Houhora Photos

The Drought is Over!!

Well the marlin draught anyway! Yesterday Brian Mac tagged and released a striped marlin estimated at around 90 kg.
Well done Brian and the crew!
The first day of the one base (Sunday) was really rough, so the boys stayed on land. A wise choice, as those going out got well and truly battered!
Monday was a great day, with flat seas and plenty of marlin caught, lots of action.
Today is the last day of the tournament, so will wait and see what eventuates!