Tuna, conquered

You look surprised to be caught by a Hobie kayak angler!

I see no reason why pelagics in season can be caught from my Hobie not.

I paddled/paddled about 5km as the crow files to reach Ironpot rock, which I figured would provide some protection from the north easterly winds, which was gathering strength gradually. Here I intended to set anchor and try for a Mackeral, which are commonly caught in the area. I wasn't the only one seeking shelter either - five power boars were also anchored there. None of us were catching fish, however. I may have done better had I remembered to take my anchor, so I continually drifted into oncoming breezes, which made my leisurely bait-fishing session short lived.

So instead I decided to head back towards Yeppoon, trolling a 11cm red-headed hard-body lure along behind me. By now the wind had picked up quite a bit, gusting up to around 20 knots and causing quite a stirring chop. The tide was coming in strong at the time. With not a bite thus far I was just starting to think that I wouldn't catch a fish and contemplated either bringing in my line and just concentrating on navigating the water, or perhaps changing lures. Just as I started to reel it in the Nitro Godzilla rod bent hard and line began peeling fast. I put a little more tension on the drag, which was already quite considerable. Whatever this fish, it was big. And strong. Really strong. It had no problems towing me further out to sea.

The fight lasted for almost half an hour, the fish taking numerous hard runs. When I got near the boat and first saw that long flash of silver I knew it was either a Cobia, Mackeral or Tuna. It continued to pull hard whenever it got close, so I soon pegged it for a Tuna. I figured a Cobia or Mackeral just wouldn't have this strength or persistence.

Eventually it did tire, however, and when that happened I just lift and winded it in, the new Nitro rod performing magically. Although this is probably the strongest fish I'd ever hooked (and not lost), the Godzilla was well up to the task, being the strongest rod I've ever owned.

Wider than the gunnel

Catch of the month

With only a km or so from the launching area I didn't have far to go and thankfully, the surf was relatively calm given the size of the swell out behind it. No problems there either.

I was really very fortunate to be greeted by some locals at the beach, who were pretty impressed with not just the fish, but the fact I'd caught it from a kayak. They were keen fishermen to and were able to identify it as a northern bluefin tuna. After they took some photos for me, I tried to weigh it on my small Shimano lip-grip scales. No-can-do - the fish was so heavy it just slipped straight out after maxing the scales (which only go to 7.5kg. So one of the guys (thanks Derel) popped back to his house (right on the beach) and pulled out his scales, which weighed the fish in at just over 13kg. It measured at about 108cm from tip to tip, or about 96cm by official standards. It was also fatter than my own legs!

I owe a big thanks to the hospitality of these guys, who not only helped me drag the kayak up the beach, but also offered me a wine and a snack afterwards (as well as an offer to go fishing with them the following day).

Now that I've cracked the tuna milestone, I'm hoping to make my next big fish a Cobia, which would be another first for me.

The not so calm before the storm

---

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved