Mega marlin caught at Motunau

A snapper fishing adventure to Plate Island has ended with a record size catch for one Tauranga couple.

Gary and Tana Krom were out fishing at Motunau off the coast from Maketu in the late afternoon when they unexpectedly hooked a feisty black marlin weighing in at 361.2 kilograms.

Tana and Gary Krom with the 361.2kg black marlin caught at Plate Island.

'We were in shock – there was the screaming of the reel and the jumping out of the water. There was a bit of panic, but you have to think right what do I need to do here.”

The pair had headed out for a day's fishing on their 10.8 metre launch, Primal Instinct, and anchored up at Plate Island on February 15.

There was only the two of them on the launch when Gary decided to try his luck on the 37kg line.

He baited up with Kahawai live bait and secured the Shimano Tiagra reel, before casting off in what Tana says were choppy conditions.

'Gary had the big rod out because black feed off live bait and it was near the full moon.

'We initially thought it was a shark as we had spotted a Mako in the area, so to begin with we didn't take too much notice. We were pulling in fish even when we saw it jump.”

It took 1.5 hours for Gary to haul in the catch, at which stage the couple were unable to pull the marlin onboard due to its weight.

'It jumped a lot and took out a lot of line – about three quarters of the line was gone before we could control it. We got it to the boat and it went off again, and Gary went after it and we tied it up.”

Tana made the quick decision to call friends fishing in nearby launch Little Toot, to help the pair secure the catch.

'They just stood guard in another launch. Eventually we went back to Plate Island and they boarded and there were six of us who dragged it onto the boat.

'Once it was on, we radioed in and SeaComms kindly organised the weigh-master at Sailsbury Wharf to come and take it off the boat and weigh it for us about 10pm – that was very kind of them.”

The female black marlin weighed in at 361.2kg at the Mount Maunganui Ocean Sports Club – the biggest fish the Kroms have ever caught. It was then transported to Tauranga's Game Fishing Club where it was stored in the chiller overnight.

The hearty size fish has now been cut into pieces to feed friends and family, who Tana says have enjoyed it both fresh and smoked.

The head, however has been sent to the taxidermist to allow the Kroms a piece of the catch forever.

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2 comments

What a catch

Posted on 20-02-2014 18:55 | By AndysMum53

Congratulations Gary and Tana, what a brilliant days fishing, re please John, Andy and Hollie were close by to help get it on board! Well done!


Ha

Posted on 21-02-2014 10:02 | By Politically Incorrect

That fish looks surprisingly pleased with itself too.


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