The SBFT ranged in size from 40kgs right up to 120kg plus. There were some great battles recorded with a number of big fish lost. A recent posting from Nicky Sinden who travelled down there in early July to chase a 15kg line record, talked about a potential record they lost after a six-hour fight. From my home town of Whangamata, our first weigh-ins came via Sean Gilchrest, Jamie Douglas and crew who motored down on the launch Nauti Forty in early June. For them, it was a quick four-hour steam across the Bay of Plenty as opposed to five hours by car. Arriving in the area in the early hours, they set lines and followed their intel with the first fish on the boat a nice albacore, which are known to hang out with SBFT on their migration north. Gear back in the water and not long after the lines went screaming and three SBFT graced the deck after great fun and excitement. Multiple hookups were common. With their daily quota filled, they found a good place to anchor up overnight while preparing for day two, which did not prove as bountiful. By late afternoon they pointed towards home, anchored up out the back of Mayor Island, where they dropped fresh albacore for a swordfish – again no takers. A good crowd turned up to see these mighty fish weighed in on the Whangamata Wharf the following day. All in all, it was a season to be remembered for the great sea conditions; the amazing fish fought, caught and lost; and the camaraderie between boaties who both on and off the water shared a common passion and many beers got shared after a hard days fishing. A big thanks to the Waihau Bay Sports Fishing Club who got things sorted and the locals who greeted us mad fisho’s and helped with our quest for a fish of a lifetime.
Whangamata weighmaster Phil Keogh is kept busy processing Nauti Forty’s bluefin catch.
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